The Bucket List
my rating: 3 out of 5I have been avoiding watching The Bucket List since ever since it came out. It makes me extremely uncomfortable to confront mortality head on. It's just so inevitable: everyone will die, with no exceptions. It's just a difficult thing to dwell on. And, it can become unhealthy if you get too preoccupied with the subject.
The Bucket List is a Hollywood attempt to shed some light on the uncomfortable subjects of illness, pain, and death. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman play two older men who share a hospital room. They're both diagnosed with terminal cancer. They've never met before being admitted, but predictably, they begin to develop a friendship. Before long, they make a list of things they want to do before they "kick the bucket." AKA - a bucket list. Jack Nicholson's character is extremely wealthy (he actually owns the hospital he's in!) So, they set off on a journey to accomplish their lofty goals.
The subject of death is broached with a fair amount of dignity. Much of what we know about their inevitable deaths is simply unspoken to the audience. The two protagonists seem to be in a dream as they traverse the gorgeous landscapes of the world, trying to piece together some answers to their troubled, joyful, difficult, and time-limited lives.
Morgan Freeman is effortlessly brilliant as an aging mechanic. And Jack Nicholson brings the necessary energy and humor that he does so well. When together, they have an undeniable chemistry. I know that term "chemistry" is overused, but it so perfectly describes the dynamic between the two actors. They carry the movie with a necessary amount of charisma and momentum.
There are plenty of cliches throughout the movie, though. In fact, the movie is almost one giant cliche. The actions, motivations, characters, and scenes are predictable. But, the filmmakers seem to know that. But, the fact that they "went there", in terms of broaching the subject of death, is what makes this movie shine. Despite the fact that I watched the first ten minutes of this movie and knew exactly how the whole thing would go, it was still a moving and uplifting movie. And for that, it wins a recommendation from me.
As a social worker and therapist to the elder population, I really appreciated this movie. Although most people cannot spend millions of dollars to reach all of their dreams, everyone can embrace life and all of its opportunities until the very end. I would actually use this movie as a therapy tool for individuals and families. Thanks for the review.
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