Bucket List (2007)

"...the old boys are terrific - enough to make this a funny and sometimes moving buddy picture.  Angie Errigo, Empire
"...an absolutely fascinating flight of fancy, a joyful journey of the spirit.  David Sheehan, Hollywood Close Ups
"...a joy ride with good company, and the actors obviously were having a high time on their traveling boondoggle.  Jack Mathews, New York Daily News
"The leads, who were born six weeks apart in 1937, have remarkable hare-and-tortoise chemistry.  Lawrence Toppman, Charlotte Observer
"A must see celebration of life!  Mark. S. Allen, CBS-TV
"Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman are playing at the top of their game and still showing us how it is done.  Pete Hammond, Maxim
"Hysterically funny and deeply heartwarming.  Tim Estiloz, The Comcast Network

Editor's Note In THE BUCKET LIST, cancer doesn't discriminate in its choice of victims. It's equally eager in its attacks on kindly sage of a mechanic Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman) and mean-spirited millionaire Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson). When the unlikely pair shares a room at a hospital, they learn that they both have less than a year to live as a result of the deadly disease. Inspired by the words of a college professor, Carter begins to make a "bucket list" of things he wants to accomplish before he dies. With Edward's limitless funds at their disposal, the men embark on an adventure that takes them from Egypt to France to Hong Kong, crossing items off their list as death grows closer. Fans of the leading actors will be glad to see them in familiar territory: Freeman plays a narrator who's nearly godlike in his omniscience, while Nicholson stars as the lovable grump. Both men have won Oscars for similar roles (Nicholson for AS GOOD AS IT GETS, and Freeman for MILLION DOLLAR BABY), so they excel in these parts. Director Rob Reiner's career has jumped between comedy and drama, and despite its serious subject matter, THE BUCKET LIST resides firmly in comedic territory. But fans of weepies such as TERMS OF ENDEARMENT and MY LIFE will find much to like in this film that is sure to require a tissue or two.

	Alfonso Freeman
	Beverly Todd
	Jack Nicholson
	Morgan Freeman
	Rob Morrow
	Rowena King
	Sean Hayes
	Alex Trebek - Featuring
	Bill Brzeski - Production Designer
	Frank Capra, III - Producer
	Jay Pelissier - Art Director
	Jeffrey Stott - Executive Producer
	John Schwartzman - Cinematographer
	Justin Zackham - Writer
	Marc Shaiman - Original Music By
	Rob Reiner - Director
	Robert Leighton - Editor

Box Office
"It's a full-bodied brew, blended out of equal parts comedy and drama...[with] a pair of powerhouse performances from Freeman and Nicholson." 01/01/2008 p.45

Empire
3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]here's plenty to enjoy, most notably the performances of Nicholson and Freeman..." 08/01/2008 p.153

ReelViews 8 of 10
Lately, it seems every time I review a Rob Reiner movie, I lament the fall this once reliable filmmaker has taken. Admittedly, Reiner started at such a pinnacle that there was nowhere to go but down, but it's beyond consideration that the director of The Princess Bride and This Is Spinal Tap would be responsible for the likes of Rumor Has It. Thankfully, while The Bucket List doesn't return Reiner to the top of his game, it at least elevates him to the level of respectability. The overly melodramatic yet life-affirming screenplay is in part redeemed by the solid performances and easy camaraderie of the two veteran stars. This is one of those (rare) occasions when I was able to tune down the cynicism and enjoy it on its own terms, even if there was a war at the end between my tear ducts and my gag reflex...The Bucket List is a simple movie. It's a travelogue and a road film that offers a little deeper emotional resonance than many similar films...The Bucket List is sentimental but it's not so phony that one will be embarrassed to shed a tear or two at the end. The movie's sincerity helps it get over some of the most difficult hurdles and the feeling after leaving theater is one of having experienced something worthwhile albeit unremarkable. - James Berardinelli

Chicago Sun-Times 5 of 10
"The Bucket List" is a movie about two old codgers who are nothing like people, both suffering from cancer that is nothing like cancer, and setting off on adventures that are nothing like possible...The movie, directed by Rob Reiner, was written by Justin Zackham, who must be very optimistic indeed if he doesn't know that there is nothing like a serious illness to bring you to the end of sitcom cliches. I've never had chemo, as Edward and Carter must endure, but I have had cancer, and believe me, during convalescence after surgery the last item on your bucket list is climbing a Himalaya. Your list is more likely to be topped by keeping down a full meal, having a triumphant bowel movement, keeping your energy up in the afternoon, letting your loved ones know you love them, and convincing the doc your reports of pain are real and not merely disguising your desire to become a drug addict. To be sure, the movie includes plenty of details about discomfort in the toilet, but they're put on hold once the trots are replaced by the globe-trotting..."The Bucket List" thinks dying of cancer is a laff riot followed by a dime-store epiphany. The sole redeeming merit of the film is the steady work by Morgan Freeman, who has appeared in more than one embarrassing movie, but never embarrassed himself. - Roger Ebert