"The Bucket List" (2007) (The Bucket List (DVD))

Member Name: jbsabbath

Product:	The Bucket List (DVD)
Date:	15/10/08 (68 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to watch, Jack Nicholson

Disadvantages: Too simple, lacklustre storyline, with cliche acting

Car mechanic and general-knowledge master Carter Chambers, played by Morgan Freeman, is diagnosed with cancer and admitted to the hospital owned by the Kopi Luwak-loving billionaire Edward Cole, played by Jack Nicholson.

While in court, making sure his hospital doesn't have to change from two-bed rooms to one, Cole caughs up blood and is admitted to his own hospital.

Disgruntled that he has to share a room (by his own decree), he is forced into sharing his suffering with Carter, and what's worse, he soon discovers that he too has cancer.

Given only months to live between them, they write up a 'bucket list', a list of things they want to do before they 'kick the bucket', and set off on a country-hopping trip to fulfil their dreams before they're hospitalised for good.

It is not surprising then that this film, although more often than not played for laughs, is quite depressing and part soul-searching drama.

The actual story is fairly simple and by-numbers, and it doesn't need a university degree to figure out that Freeman is going to help Nicholson save his soul and teach him the true meaning of Christmas, Scrooge-style.

Of course, seeing as they've both got terminal cancer, neither are going to miraculously survive either, so overall there won't be any surprises.

Nevertheless, the film is built solely on the two performances from Freeman and Nicholson, and both are comfortable in their usual roles of good guy / bad guy.

It would have been more interesting acting-wise if the roles had been reversed, but no, we are not treated to that either.

Jack Nicholson plays his usual "As Good As It Gets", "Something's Gotta Give"-style, rough-around-the-edges grouch, which is good to watch as he never seems tired of it all, but after his brilliant performance in "The Departed", I do hope this gentle no-risks movie isn't the one he goes out on.

As for Morgan Freeman, he appears spry and fun in *his* usual "Bruce Almighty", "Million Dollar Baby" old veteran guise, which is serviceable for the most part, but his rendition of "In the jungle, the mighty jungle..." leaves a lot to be desired.

I suppose the only truly powerful part of the movie was a single scene in which Jack Nicholson, going through the rigmarole of chemotherapy, looks up into the bathroom mirror with sunken eyes, a giant scar across the back of his bald head and his skin paper white.

He looks truly terrible and it's quite horrifying, but the rest of the movie is fairly easy on the eyes.

"Will and Grace" star Sean Hayes plays Thomas, Nicholson's PA, and does a fairly good job, but there's little depth to his, or any other support's, character.

Overall, this movie is fairly entertaining, but certainly doesn't break any boundaries, visually, plot-wise or acting-wise.

Worth a rental, but certainly not a purchase.

[The DVD can be found on play.com for £6.99 including P&P]

Summary: Enjoyable but breaks no boundaries whatsoever