By Daniel Dessinger
February 27, 2008
Even though I appreciate Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman as actors, this was one of those films that I could have waited to see on DVD, but when my friend wanted to go see it for her birthday, I acquiesced.
Jack Nicholson plays Edward Cole, a contemptible old man who, to quote one of my favorite all-time movies and characters, "has more money than God." Edward becomes a patient in one of his own hospitals when he's diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.
Part of the reason that Edward has so much money is that he, "Runs hospitals not health spas. Two beds to a room. No exceptions." Enter Morgan Freeman as Carter Chambers, the other bed in Edward's room. Carter is dying of lung cancer.
Edward and Carter embark on the sort of friendship that can only be built upon a shared life-threatening experience. The virtuous Carter starts a "Bucket List" – things to do before he kicks the bucket. Edward becomes privy to the idea and decides to add his own twist. Carter wants to witness something miraculous. Edward wants to kiss the most beautiful girl in the world and so on and so forth.
The film is full of glorious backdrops. The Pyramids, the French Riviera, the Himalayas. There are some side-splitting hilarious moments. One of my favorites was Carter revealing the true source of what is possibly Edward's favorite thing in the whole world. It just so happened to fulfill a Bucket List item as well.
A word of warning to those of you who have witnessed or experienced cancer, especially the effects of chemotherapy, first hand: there are some very painful and real moments to watch as Edward's and Carter's bodies fight to survive the only thing that can kill the disease that threatens their life.
In the end, Edward and Carter were each able to fill a void in the other's life. They taught each other things that neither of them could have learned on their own, and their polar circumstances helped each of them to appreciate what they had in life, which is what friendship's really all about.
© 2008 – 2010, Daniel Dessinger. All rights reserved.
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Ashleigh:
I have to say I loved this movie. I can’t say whether my sentiment has anything to do with my age (mid-30′s) but I couldn’t help but get a little emotional while watching this movie. Maybe it has something to do with the present conditions of my family, as people close to me and my family are getting older and the general wearing-out process takes its toll on everyone. It’s hard to see the ones we love grow older and have to battle for their life.
Whatever the case, this movie got me from the very beginning. I love the simple one-liners that helped establish the characters as individuals and also show the relation to all people, regardless of social, financial or racial status. I loved the entire concept and even though it’s “just a movie,” I think it’s worth watching if for nothing more than asking yourself…what would I do if I were in that position? Because contrary to what we believe in our hearts and minds, we are all going to get old and life will take its course. I suppose the strongest emphasis I got from the movie was this: Live while you are alive…because the tragedy of regret is like never having lived at all.
Thanks for the review! Great article!
Some of my family members have seen this film and in response created their own bucket lists. They’re planning on getting the family together once a year to evaluate each other’s lists and make sure we’re living.
I still haven’t seen it, even though it was among the films I was most interested in. Waiting for the DVD, sadly.
The concept seems sound, based on secondhand information I’ve received. Anyone else out there inspired to create a bucket list after watching this?
For me, this is the type of movie I like to see at the movies. It seems more fun to watch with a large group of people.
I agree this movie could just as easily be appreciated at home on a DVD with loved ones but don’t believe it should be missed. A great concept performed by two great actors in heart-felt performances. Really liked it.