It is somewhat of a paradox in our culture that those who have only a few short months to live can wind up living more in those final moments than most people do in a lifetime. I'm reminded of the Tim McGraw song entitled "Live Like You Were Dying" and the inspiring message that it offers. This is, essentially, what The Bucket List is all about...a list of things to do before you kick the bucket. Motivational speakers and self-help gurus have long touted the idea of making a list of things to do before you die, and working to accomplish them. I myself have worked on such a list and was thus eager to see what this film had to say. Going in, I had expected this to be a feel-good movie showcasing life's fulfillment; a hilarious comedy showing two old guys having the time of their lives. However, this film hit much deeper than I ever expected and left a lump in my throat that is still in the process of recovering.
In the movie, The Bucket List, Carter (Morgan Freeman), once had a teacher who inspired him to write such a list, but 45 years later, life, it seemed, had gotten in the way. It is not until he lies terminally ill in a hospital bed that he toys with the idea of re-writing his list.
Sharing the room with him is Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) who, ironically, owns the hospital but whose penny-pinching policies dictate that he share his room with a stranger. After learning of his own prognosis and countdown to expiration, he learns of Carter's list and is filled with inspiration. He offers to Carter the proposition of taking a trip together, seeing the world, experiencing all that life has to offer, and crossing things off of what is now their list. Carter, frustrated with his grief-stricken family and the depression that it brings, eventually agrees, and the stage is set for a journey marked by fun, friendship, and discovery.
This film has much to offer. First and foremost, it features two of the most well-respected actors in Hollywood today. Jack Nicholson always brings a unique oddity to his characters, making them memorable and long lasting. As for Morgan Freeman, he is one of my favorite actors of all time. I have never seen a movie that he has been in that I have not thoroughly enjoyed his performance. Getting to see these two iconic actors play off of each other in the film is a real treat. They give us moments of hilarity that make us laugh very hard, and then they are able to get us to cry just moments later. However, the true gem of this movie is in its message. The contrast between a man who had what our society seems to value most and a man who gave up on his dreams for greatness in order to raise a family is eye-opening, sobering, and ironic.
The only negative that comes to mind for this film is the music. In particular, the closing credits feature a mush-mouthed song by John Mayer that made me rush to leave the theater (normally, I will sit and watch the final credits, enjoying the music and decompressing my thoughts). What a difference it would have made to have played Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying."
Music aside, this movie has captured my thoughts since first seeing it yesterday. In the end, it's not money, or sex, or power that matter in life, but relationships with one another and with God that give life meaning, joy, and purpose. Their first night apart following their adventurous journey, the film flips back and forth between these two men and shows such wonderful contrast. As Carter sits at the dinner table surrounded by his family who offer up prayers of thanks for his safe return, Edward sits all alone in his kitchen trying to open a microwaveable meal and venting his frustration by smashing it into pieces. Later, as Carter and his wife slip off to the bedroom, we cut to Edward who stands facing a window with tears streaming down his face and two women behind him asking, "Is he crying?" These two scenes say it all, and that's all there is to say.
Life is a journey best spent shared.
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