The Bucket List

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: December 25, 2007

7.3	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 200 Ratings

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ChadS.Jan 11, 2008

A billionaire like Edward Cole(Jack Nicholson), a man who can afford to cancel luncheons with glamorous movie stars, in all likelihood would be beyond the formality of being discreet. But there he is, being discreet, tiptoeing back to his A billionaire like Edward Cole(Jack Nicholson), a man who can afford to cancel luncheons with glamorous movie stars, in all likelihood would be beyond the formality of being discreet. But there he is, being discreet, tiptoeing back to his airplane seat after f****** the stewardess. Is Edward simply being courteous about not wanting to rouse Carter(Morgan Freeman) from his mile-high slumber, or is he fearful of making his new "friend" jealous? In another scene, the two men have dinner at a restaurant Edward uses to wine and dine women. Carter is his first man. Back at the tycoon's palacial estate, Carter takes a luxurious bath in a porcerlain tub. All that's missing is the bubbles. In Egypt, Edwards asks Carter if he can call him "my main man, Ray"(a possible code for "my best girl"?). After awhile, you stop watching the official narrative(which is depressing and sentimental), because the subtext is a lot more interesting. Since 2005's "Brokeback Mountain", there hasn't been a serious gay-themed movie backed by a major studio, even though the Ang Lee-directed film was a box office success and won three Oscars(albeit not "Best Picture" as expected). "The Bucket List" is a lot like watching William Wyler's "The Children's Hour", in which audiences speculated about the nature of the friendship between Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine. What does it say about major studio films in their treatment of homosexuality when virtually every scene in "The Bucket List" is fraught with a nudge and a wink like it was 1961 all over again? After returning from his travels with Edward, Carter is surrounded by his family at the dinner table. He looks happy, but given the context, you wonder if that smile is genuine, or a domesticated mask? Sometimes the true feelings of these two men aren't even all that subtle. Listen closely to Edward's eulogy, and watch with amusement at how the screenwriter prevents Carter from sharing an intimate moment with his wife. Their final resting place is practically a homage to the Ang Lee film, and Annie Proulx short-story(from the short-story collection "Close Range: Wyoming Stories"). Two good friends- wink, wink, nudge, nudge- finally, at peace.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

JayH.Jun 3, 2008

Surprisingly trite and over sympathetic, but it is still an enjoyable film. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman certainly make the film worth watching. Good direction, but the writing is the films main flaw.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ChristopherCJun 13, 2008

Although the movie has been acted by two of the best Hollywood actors, the movie lacked depth of plot. There were many good scenes, but the movie didn't immerse the audience in the plot.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

MikeP.Feb 19, 2008

Not as good as I expected and I am a big Morgan Freeman fan but not bad.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

beingryanjudeAug 27, 2014

Between Rob Reiner, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman there are some truly touching moments. But the missed opportunities are far too common. A real shame, too.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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Tyrant719Jun 24, 2021

Well, of course the audience score for this movie is really high. That’s embarrassing. You can get anyone to think a movie is deep and thoughtful if you make it about people who have died or are dying. Sadness does not inherently makeWell, of course the audience score for this movie is really high. That’s embarrassing. You can get anyone to think a movie is deep and thoughtful if you make it about people who have died or are dying. Sadness does not inherently make something worthwhile and important. General moviegoing audiences think loud noises + jump scares= scary; big explosions + swelling orchestral music= epic; and family/relationship drama + death= sad. That’s all this movie boils down to. Recognize Morgan Freeman? Recognize Jack Nicholson? Does death scare you? Wanna watch a movie with your religious grandma other than God Is Not Dead? We’ve got just the movie for you! If you actually want some sort of story that feels authentic and not generated entirely so two aging actors could keep their SAG cards, I’d look elsewhere.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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