DVD : The Bucket List [2008]

Rating: - They pull it off!!
This film left me laughing and my missus crying!

A long-time fan of both Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman I went into this film expecting to entertained somehow at least. I also expected it to be bittersweet.

I didn't expect a film about two men with cancer to somehow leave me feeling I'd just watched a "feelgood" film. But that's exactly what this is..

The two lead characters are polarised in their attitudes to life, their success in life thus far and their outlook on their shared news that they have been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

What follows is their decision to enjoy their last few months on the Earth attaining as many of their ambitions on their newly devised "Bucket List" before they pop off to join the Choir Invisible.

It's as simple as that but with two fine actors, a great script and an excellent director (Rob Reiner) we are treated to what is simply a magical cinema experience.

Highly recommended. 8/10

Reviewed by Mark Woods, 2008.

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Rating: - A Villager's Perspective
Film Review - The Bucket List - Littleham Village Hall -
Saturday 1st November 2008 at 1930
Given that for several weeks I had been expecting to watch the much
heralded but now cancelled, sing along version of the musical
"Mamma Mia". I was surprised at the spring in my stride as I made
my way with eager anticipation to the village hall last night. Even
more surprising as I knew that it's programmed replacement "The
Bridges of Madison County" had also been "pulled" at the last hour!
Why was it then that I strode on so enthusiastically? Well, it was
because I had been told only a few hours earlier of the problem with
"The Bridges of Madison County" and that it's replacement was to be
"Cinema Paradisio", in my opinion possibly the finest film ever made.
By any measure, "Cinema Paradisio" is in a different league to
anything that we have yet seen at our Village Hall film Club but that is
another review.
Imagine my feelings then, when I arrived at the Village Hall flushed
with expectation only to find that "Cinema Paradisio" had now been
pulled at the last minute. Furthermore, we were not to know the title
of the film we were about to see until it started. Not that it would have
made any difference as, like Macbeth I was "...so far waded into
blood that it would be as tedious to turn back as it would be to go
o'er." So, somewhat disconsolately, I took my seat and waited for the
action.
Frankly, had I known that the subject matter of the film was an
intimate observation of the impact of impending death upon two
disparate individuals, thrown together by fate into the same hospital
cancer ward, I would most certainly not have been there. Mortality!
The last mystery! I didn't want to be reminded of it and the instinct to
run for cover was considerable. Indeed, there was a tangible tautness
in the village hall for the first fifteen minutes or so of this unusual film.
I doubt that this tension was entirely the result of the exceptional
acting performances of Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, which
are unquestioned. No, I suspect it was a natural response to this
graphic reminder of the eventual "end game' for all of us. The
promised "humour" was certainly absent from these first minutes.
Watching at this point invoked in me those times spent visiting loved
ones who, like these actors' characters, were confronting their own
demise in hospital. Not a comfortable experience and I felt agitated at
having to spend the duration of the film in such discomfort. Happily,
my fears were eventually dissolved as the essence of the story
became clear. Jack Nicholson's ebullient and wealthy character railed
against the impending final events with such gusto that I felt carried
along with his enthusiasm for living - albeit, a less than unselfish life.
On the surface this man was a very black and white character leaving
little to the imagination, whereas Morgan Freeman's portrayal was
much more demanding and indeed puzzling. A black American car
mechanic, possessed of a remarkable recall of general knowledge, a
convincing philosopher and all round good egg. He appeared equally
at home in the richest and most indulgent luxury as he did under the
bonnet of a vehicle, a man of contrasts that resulted from
circumstances in his life that I didn't completely comprehend.
The reluctant pairing, against all the odds, developed into a close
friendship. On the strength of Nicholson's apparently unlimited
money, they traveled the world together, inspired as they were by a
list (the bucket list) that they had drawn up of all the things they
wanted or needed to do before they died. Not surprisingly,
Nicholson's character's list included mostly hedonistic needs whereas
Freeman's were rather more cerebral and spiritual. And here was the
fascination in the film, the ingredient which enabled a story,
fundamentally about man's greatest fear, to be entertaining.
Principally, through great acting, and glorious locations, one was
inspired by the character's determination to achieve the maximum
from the days of life left to them. Alongside them we felt their joys and
sorrows as they confronted physical, mental and emotional
challenges as each in their own quite different ways tried to put their
lives straight before the final departure.
Beverly Todd as Morgan Freeman's, apparently, long suffering wife,
was not entirely convincing to my mind. Unlike Sean Hayes who
played Thomas, Nicholson's, also long suffering but completely
convincing assistant, a cameo role of considerable strength.
Sir Lorn Stakes - Littleham - 2nd November 2008

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Rating: - Excellent Film
Im not really into these type of films, but the excellent acting from both Freeman and Nicholson just really pull this film off. Those of you who have ever lost anyone very close will really feel for the characters, the film was more thought provoking than comic. I would recomend this film to anyone,excellent script, good acting, although this film may not appeal to the young, or those who havent lost anyone close to them (Im in my 30's)

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Rating: - Brilliant!
Buy it (recommended), borrow it, download it....
however you get your hands on this film, its a must see.

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Rating: - Well constructed lightweight feelgood movie
It's really virtually impossible not to like a movie with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson in it.. they add a sense of gravitas to anything they are in - and there is pleasure to be had in watching their contrasting styles spark off each other.
Here, the play two men, both suffering from cancer, sharing a room at a hospital (in a rather contrived set up). After some preamble to fleetingly show that they are actually not well, they create a bucket list - a list of things they want to do before kicking the bucket, and since one of them is rich, set out to work their way through the items, learning about themselves and each other as they go.
It works because the leads are strong, particularly Freeman. Nicholson overplays, but then the writing does call for it. It does stumble however in the script department from time to time... For example, Freeman talking to Nicholson - "You once said you're not everyone. Well, that's true-you're certainly not everyone, but everyone is everyone." It's not exactly Shakespeare. The concept of terminally ill men skydiving, climbing mountains and traveling the world somewhat while barely catching their breath also stretches credibility. Morgan Freeman does his trademark stately voice over, which only serves to remind you of The Shawshank Redemption, and the comparison is not favourable. And while the male bonding is fun to watch and some of the one-liners funny, the warmth of affection Freeman narrates for the Nicholson character never seems quite justified by anything his character does.
Those quibbles aside, it's fun, warm and fuzzy round the edges, has some decent performances, and is short enough not to outlast its welcome. Not a classic, but thumbs up nonetheless.