"The Bucket List" (2007) - Movie Review

“The Bucket List” is not a surgical analysis of the death or the philosophies of lives of two elderly men Carter (Morgan Freeman) and Edward (Jack Nicholson) but a shallow pleasure ride which is what the film markets itself. The intentions are not curdled and as director Rob Reiner is famous for, it is a feel good film about the death. Quite recently I witnessed a miraculous film “The Barbarian Invasions” about the known demise of a life and there is an emotional truce which happens during it. “The Bucket List” is no “The Barbarian Invasions” and some may curse me for comparing but it wins through for what it is and we get to see two stunning actors who would sleep walk the characters of Carter and Edward.

Edward a millionaire falls for his own hospital design to share a room with blue collar hard working mechanic Carter. Nicholson who needs no lessons to be an arrogant egoistic prick makes Edward acknowledge the presence of Freeman’s Carter who needs no lessons too on being a wise man and quiz whiz. Both come to know their limited time and prepare a list to finish upon before they meet the inevitable. Carter points some altruistic actions but Ed opts for daring adventures and a world tour where we get to see them do their magic.

Nicholson and Freeman had a good time playing characters care free. Their characters are facing death but the tragedy is not focused. It is the places they see and the small talk they make. They discuss their lives which went fast as for many, the regrets, the family and the loss. Carter has compromised his ambition in the light of his family circumstances and tells he does not see his wife, Virginia (Beverly Todd) as he used to due to the Empty Nest syndrome. This emptiness and the life expecting an end makes him stay away from her. He is a family man but wants some time for himself. Edward is a product of being arrogant and has failed four marriages. The film skims the surface of their beliefs which we can see how both actors play it so carelessly and effectively.

The feeling many fans or may be critics would be disappointed is that there is no need for two extra ordinary actors to do light weighted roles like this. The expectations these two create are immeasurable, but why cannot they have a good time and take a freely relaxed work if they have to? It needs to be slammed if it is too low for their potential. They have played the same guys many times and the pleasure of them still able to recreate it with different tinge even if it’s little makes the film a good joyful cruise.

And it is pretty clear that Freeman needs to narrate even when his character is not alive and we know why. The tour they go through does not do a convincing emotional catharsis to Edward. He still is in denial and does not want to accept the truce he needs to make. They are of course strangers and get to know only few months to bond. The truce he makes with his daughter is a scene to leverage his change. The action of it tells his friendship getting recognized but it could have been more out there. There are not strong supporting scenes for their change in life especially for Edward but Nicholson delivers the eulogy which makes us believe the character.

People will like it for its casual ness and how the condescending character of Nicholson as he always does in many many movies. It might not be a profound thought of life’s end and does not has the heavy feeling you might get in a tragic film. It is light hearted on a heavy subject and what you see is what you get and that’s it. And some one need to tell the way Edward is attired during a business meeting during his introduction. It looked out of place and unreasonably pushed in. Apart from that the opportunities were there though to make it a little more peek in to them but it felt like they decided to not dig around and have it keyed down. Strange to call it that way but it truly is a subtle exploitation of emotions. It is a good package of easy emotions and the Sean Hayes as Thomas (as Ed would like to call him) provides a nice support role for Ed character. It might strike down the expectation and it might enlighten feebly but for me it is sort of a guilty pleasure.