Review of The Bucket List (2007) by Rachel H — 28 Jan 2011

When you think about it, The Bucket List is not a horrible movie. It's a creative, somewhat thought-provoking premise, and it has two capable lead actors. However, its main weakness that keeps me from enjoying this movie is its script. The same person that convinced me to watch Pay It Forward is the person that convinced me to watch this, and I liked this better than Pay it Forward. You see, I don't watch movies to be sad, I watch movies either to laugh or appreciate how well-done they are, and maybe to indulge in a mindless action film.

The acting is only good for our two leads, the other actors aren't terribly memorable or good. I like Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman as actors, and this movie is no different, their performances being what saved the movie from absolute horribleness. Jack Nicholson plays Edward, a rich bastard and Morgan Freeman plays Carter, a working-class mechanic. Normally these men wouldn't have anything to do with one another, but they meet in a hospital and proceed to go on a journey to cross off the things on their bucket lists (a list of things to do before they kick the bucket...ha fucking ha).

The script is nothing but pure schmaltz, although it has its moments. For example, the stuff with Edward and his daughter tugged at the ol' heartstrings a bit, but that was pretty much it. I was just in general displeased with the amount of self-indulgent emotionally manipulative schmaltz in the script. This one element totally ruined the movie for me and prevented me from enjoying it. Anyone who knows my taste in movies knows that I don't watch movies to cry. I either watch movies to see good acting/story, great action, or thrills. I am incredibly proud in those situations and I will only admit to crying at three scenes from movies.

However, for all the schmaltz and sappiness, the set pieces were wonderful and the actors were capable. I know this is one of my shorter reviews, but I don't really have anything much else to say. So that being said, I'm gonna wrap this up. All in all, The Bucket List wasn't that bad. Don't get me wrong, it's still pretty bad, but I've seen worse. There are moments definitely, just not enough to create a good film. If you want a way to waste a day or if you watch movies to cry, you will like this movie. If you don't, you will not.