Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson are two of are finest actors still alive…er…alive today. They’ve both proven time and time again that they’re terrific actors who know a thing or two about picking good films with good scripts and making good movies. Of course, they’re both getting a bit older… Freeman, in particular, hasn’t been as choosy with his scripts as of late. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the guy, but he’s been making a LOT of movies and I’m not sure he’s been reading all the scripts.
The Plot of “The Bucket List”
“The Bucket List” (official site) has Nicholson and Freeman playing two elderly men, auto mechanic Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman) and hospital-corporation head Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson), who discover they are both terminally ill with cancer. They share a hospital room (presumably in one of Cole’s hospitals) and they become friends and decide to fulfill their personal desires through “The Bucket List” before they “kick the bucket”. Bankrolled by the wealthy Cole, they sky dive, race each other in classic cars, and take Cole’s private jet around the world. Heartwarming hilarity inevitably ensues.
What Do I Think?
I’m not sure about this movie from what I’ve seen so far. It just seems sad to me. Why does every good actor feel they have to make a movie about their inevitable death when they start getting older? We know they’re getting older (or just downright old in some cases). We want to forget how old they are and remember how good they are. Don’t make a movie telling us all the things you’re going to do before you die!
And why does Jack get to play the rich guy? Just another case of a minority behind held down by The Man? I mean, an auto mechanic? At least give Morgan Freeman something interesting or noble to do for a living. Why couldn’t he be a dog trainer for guide dogs for the blind or maybe a down on his luck professional bowler? Better yet, why didn’t they switch the roles and let Freeman be the rich dude and let Jack slum it for once? At least then they could have played against type.
For some reason I feel this film will be one gigantic cliche that just never ends. Even the poster looks like the guys are laughing at us for buying tickets to a movie they know is going to suck. Stop laughing at me, Jack! You’re not that cool!
They released it to a few theaters on Christmas so it could be considered for Oscar nominations, but I’m guessing that’s not going to happen. You never know, though. Everyone in Hollywood probably owes Jack a few favors by now. He might choose to collect. Maybe that’s in his little bucket.
Video – “The Bucket List” Trailer
Click here to see a high-def version.
Your assessment seems fair, but I’m pretty confused as to why such a movie gets released early from Academy consideration.
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Hey David,
In order for a film to be eligible for a 2007 Oscar it must have been released in theaters during the calendar year of 2007. A popular move is for studios to release a film that is actually going to come out in January…or even later..to a few select theaters (usually New York and LA) on Christmas Day in order to make them eligible for Oscar consideration…and hopefully, for them, build up some early buzz for the film.
I think the whole thing is a sham. I think a film should have to play in wide release for at least a week before it is eligible or else the rule should be amended to change this practice. The studios are simply attempting to take advantage of Oscar nominations to try to get people in to theaters to see their movies which, chances are, would have been long gone and forgotten had they come out earlier in the year when the critics weren’t falling all over themselves looking for something to nominate.
jason, I love your take on this one. I did see the movie. Call me a sucker if you will, but my wife liked it. I felt the same way when I was watching the movie. I was thinking, “did these guys agree to do this because they are really thinking about death?” Overall the movie was ok. I think the oddest part was looking around the theater and seeing 80% seniors. And towards the end they were all crying. Maybe because they are thinking about the inevitability of death. Who knows!
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Well, Justin, since your wife was with you we’ll let you off the hook…
But you pretty much confirmed what I already suspected. I mean, I guess there’s a pretty good size market for that sort of story, but I hate to see two of our living legends shove their inevitable physical decline in our face…unless they do it in an “I used to be an astronaut way” like Space Cowboys or “If I’m going I’m taking everyone with me” way like Unforgiven.