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Movie Review - "The Bucket List"
"...a guy's chick flick"
C’mon, how can you miss? Jack Nicholson AND Morgan Freeman? With Rob Reiner directing? This movie would’ve had to work hard to have been bad.
Nicholson plays Earl Cole, an obscenely wealthy cynic who owns a chain of hospitals whose motto is, “two beds to every room, no exceptions.” The rule backfires on him when he’s diagnosed with terminal cancer and has to share his digs with Carter Chambers (Freeman), an auto mechanic given to philosophical musing who, annoyingly, aces every question on “Jeopardy.” Cole’s only visitor is his personal assistant (an absolutely brilliant and understated Sean Hayes), while Carter has his entire family there to support him. So which of these two is the richer man?
Realizing that their time is limited, these two coots decide to go out in style and develop a list of things they want to do before they kick the bucket (“Bucket List,” get it?).
These two actors are smack dab in the middle of their comfort zone in this film. Nicholson is the cranky, self-absorbed hedonist who prefers the company of women young enough to be his granddaughters. Freeman is the dignified family man (and, incidentally, the narrator of the film, all the better to display those rich, sonorous pipes of his).
The acting here is effortless and the chemistry couldn’t be more perfect. Even the ending (which, granted, might be a little contrived) works well. This is truly a guy’s chick flick that shouldn’t be missed.
Oh, by the way, bring a handkerchief.
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