2008 Woodie Awards
The Bucket List
How to waste a good premise and great actors
Alexander Hand
Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: Entertainment
It would be hard to say that watching "The Bucket List" was top of my list of things to do before I die.
Nevertheless, I gave it a chance, hoping Morgan Freeman would deliver thought-provoking inspiration, as he usually does. The delivery came, but much too late.
To put it simply, the movie contradicted its own message. If one is supposed to make the most of the time they have left, they should not spend that time watching this film. By the time I heard Freeman's closing narration about finding the joy in your life, I found myself searching for the previous two hours of my life, wanting them back so I could look for this joy elsewhere.
Lucky for director/producer Rob Reiner, the films two main (what seemed to be only) characters Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson were there to perform.
The unlikely chemistry of the two was barely enough to save the poorly written script and just almost made the cheesy effects go unnoticed. If you are searching for that "feel good", tear-jerker movie, this one will get the job done. But I would recommend only watching the final ten minutes or so.
Trust me, this way, you can have that feeling but will have another hour and a half to go enjoy your life. Watching this movie in its entirety is something I would recommend you move to the bottom of your list of things to do before you "kick the bucket".
Nevertheless, I gave it a chance, hoping Morgan Freeman would deliver thought-provoking inspiration, as he usually does. The delivery came, but much too late.
To put it simply, the movie contradicted its own message. If one is supposed to make the most of the time they have left, they should not spend that time watching this film. By the time I heard Freeman's closing narration about finding the joy in your life, I found myself searching for the previous two hours of my life, wanting them back so I could look for this joy elsewhere.
Lucky for director/producer Rob Reiner, the films two main (what seemed to be only) characters Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson were there to perform.
The unlikely chemistry of the two was barely enough to save the poorly written script and just almost made the cheesy effects go unnoticed. If you are searching for that "feel good", tear-jerker movie, this one will get the job done. But I would recommend only watching the final ten minutes or so.
Trust me, this way, you can have that feeling but will have another hour and a half to go enjoy your life. Watching this movie in its entirety is something I would recommend you move to the bottom of your list of things to do before you "kick the bucket".
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