Director Rob Reiner has gathered together two of the finest actors in Hollywood today for his feel-good comedy “The Bucket List” for Warner Bros. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman play two men who finally realize, when life may be taken from them, that it’s never too late to get the most out of the time they have left on earth. It’s really not a downer concept, and the way the two actors tackle this comedy is a joy to watch.
When Carter (Freeman) was in college, he had a professor who asked his students to compose a “bucket list” and write down all the things they wanted to do in their lives ” everything they wanted to do, see and experience before they kicked the bucket was to be written down.
Before Carter could accomplish all the things on his list, life’s realities intruded. He got married, had children and sent them off to college. He worked as an auto mechanic for 46 years to take care of his family. In the meantime, he neglected his own wants and desires. He thought about all the lost opportunities that came and went.
Jack Nicholson’s character Edward was a self-made billionaire. He could have anything he wanted at any time. Money was no object. He worked and slaved and spent all his time in the office, neglecting his personal life. He was estranged from his daughter. He was too busy building an empire and making money. It’s not a new concept, but it’s something that happens every day with driven businessmen. He never did anything except work.
The two completely different men meet in the hospital where they are sharing a room. Neither has long to live, but they are still flaming with the desire to accomplish some of the things on their “list.” They have nothing in common but form a bond because of their life-threatening illnesses. Their doctor (Rob Morrow) is wise enough to realize his patients will probably do whatever they want, no matter what he tells them.
The two actors charm the audience in their own way. The word “charm” was invented for Freeman, a calm and laid-back actor who can coax the birds out of trees with his smooth manner. Nicholson is more of a scenery-chewer, but he can also be a fun, attractive guy despite his idiosyncrasies.
Realizing that neither has done much of anything he wanted to do in life, the men check out of the hospital and take an around-the-world vacation. They visit the Taj Mahal and African animals, tattoo parlors and swanky, chic bars. They jump out of a plane for the first time. Freeman shows real fear when he gets near the open door of the plane. It’s a funny scene, and both Freeman and Nicholson seem to be able to handle comedy as well as drama with equal finesse.
Billionaire Ed has an assistant, of course. On hand for some subtle comedy lines is “Will & Grace” star Sean Hayes. He follows in line the great second bananas of the 1930s and ’40s such as Edward Everett Horton, Franklin Pangborn and Eric Blore. Hayes is in good company with those scene-stealers. You have to be good to steal a scene from Nicholson, and Hayes manages to be funny and strong at the same time. He’s a definite asset to the film.
It’s not an earth-shattering film, but it is a pleasure to watch those two old pros command the screen. It’s heartwarming to see how these two men can make you fall in love with their characters and to enjoy how masterly they are in being so natural.
Although the film is about the last days of two vital and funny men, the story is not maudlin at all. It is a positive look at what fun two pals can have in the face of adversity.