The Bucket List

I was skeptical at first. I don’t know how many movies I have seen in which Jack Nicholson played a tough, mean and lonely old man. I am a little bit tired of the pattern, but yet I have not seen a movie that paired him with Morgan Freeman and was directed by Rob Reiner.

Nicholson plays Edward Cole, a rich, self-centered and angry old four-time divorced bachelor. No surprise there. On the other hand, Freeman’s character, Carter Chambers, is a faithful husband, a dependable father of three, a charming grandfather, a walking encyclopedia and a hard-working auto mechanic. Edward and Carter seem to have nothing in common except that both men are diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The movie starts slow but becomes a little more interesting as it progresses. It is easy to guess what is going to happen next (except the ending).  Also, as expected, the two veteran actors do a great job. I think Morgan Freeman’s smiles and laughs are contagious and genuine, and I love his voiceover. Jack Nicholson of course plays the grumpy curmudgeon perfectly. I do believe that there was a chemistry between the two actors (coincidentally they were born in the same year). What I did not expect was Edward’s witty personal assistant, Thomas, played by Sean Hayes. Hayes gives brief but very memorable appearances.

There are unrealistic moments, obvious and predictable scenes, but the film has some good messages. I, for one, learned that it is never too late to find new friends and never too late to do or learn something new. The subject of dying is very depressing; however, I don’t consider The Bucket List as a movie about death, but rather about the celebration of life, family and friendship.