We went to this initially because my husband is a fan of Jack Nicholson’s work and we’d heard good reports about the movie.
Edward Cole’s hospital corporation he worked to build up runs in a business-like manner. ‘Two to a room no exceptions,’ he says. That is, until he becomes ill himself and finds himself in a room with Carter Chambers played by Morgan Freeman.
You would not find two more different people in looks, status, and attitudes on the earth than these two. Edward played by Jack Nicholson,is so rich he barely knows what to do with all his money. Edward is selfish, egocentric, and alone and it seems incapable of maintaining a lasting relationship. Carter is a devoted family man who. has battled all his life to support his family and forgone his own desires to give them the best he can.
Despite all their obvious differences, and there are many, an unlikely friendship eventuates as they are bound together by the enemy that threatens them both when they each learn they have only a few months to live.
Edwards picks up a list which Carter had discarded. This wish list detailed things he wanted to do before he ‘kicked the bucket,’ hence the movie title. Edward demands to know, ‘What’s stopping us? Let’s do it.’ And so they arrive at a common list of things to do before they die. The list includes such things as sky diving, car racing, kissing the most beautiful girl in the world.
They leave the hospital, despite the misgivings and anger of Carter’s wife and family, and take off on what for them is an adventure.
This film is both funny and achingly sad. Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson carry the film along with brilliant acting.
It is a film that reaches out and involves those watching. So much so that even while I, like everyone else in the audience, was rooting for these two men to fulfill their list of things to do before they died , I couldn’t help feeling sorrow for Carter’s wife and family who missed out on that precious time of being with their husband, father and grandfather.
Most of the people I have spoken to who saw this film loved it. It’s definitely a film for adults though.
Thanks Tristi for letting me pop in as a guest blogger again
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Movie Reviews May 6th to May 17th