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The Bucket List (2007)
Director: Rob Reiner
Movie review
From Time Out New York
Peruse the respective résumés of Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, and you’ll see examples of the finest acting in American moviemaking over the past 40 years. It would take a truly awful film to erase such impressive, hard-earned achievements, but damned if Rob Reiner’s wretched cancer dramedy doesn’t come perilously close. Once Nicholson’s wealthy health-care magnate and Freeman’s salt-of-the-earth mechanic bond over their terminal diagnoses, the duo draws up a “bucket list” (as in, things to do before you kick the…). Then, with AARP cards and Nicholson’s checkbook in hand, they try to fulfill every wish: race Shelby Mustangs, kiss the world’s most beautiful girl, etc. Death, be not proud; also, please try not to let folks use you to justify such horribly manipulative, heinously written tripe.
Sentiments about silver linings and last chances are noble, but Reiner simply views this old-cootathon as a starting point for shameless pandering. The borscht-belt laughs are cheap, the pathos even cheaper; every time this travelogue deposits the twosome at some landmark, the actors are forced to deliver soliloquies rife with Hallmark-card mush masquerading as deep wisdom. For a movie that crows on about the preciousness of time, The Bucket List certainly has no problem wasting yours.
Author: David Fear
Time Out New York Time Out New York, Issue 637–638, December 13–26, 2007
User reviews of this film
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- JeremyKyle said...
- Posted on Jun 09 2009 17:57 I love Morgan Blackman. I could watch 2 girls 1 cup narrated by morgan freeman and it would bring a tear to my eye. Its cheesy hollywood pseudo profound dross BUT it made me cry and i loved it. Don't watch it analysing every moment like a twat. Just relax and let the platitudes wash over you. Beguiling, amusing, and heart breaking. And its got nicholson and freeman in it. See it.
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- Will Owen said...
- Posted on Jun 16 2008 20:12 Hi well as a cancer sufferer - i can say it was a shot in the arm and certainly made me think.. Not yet in the terminal stage as yet, but I am about to put my own "list" together. Congratulations on someone at least handling this real tough question.
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- Andrew said...
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Posted on Mar 18 2008 03:31
A very unfair review . I found this oneof the great films
It is very easy to critisise . I just wonder sometimes who
these critics are . - Report as inappropriate
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- Moira said...
- Posted on Mar 04 2008 15:41 Loved this film. Feel bad reviews must have been written by people who didn't get it! Superb actors dealing with a subject so seldom discussed in our society. Find joy, LIVE!!!! Glad I went and ignored the bad reviews.
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- Judith said...
- Posted on Feb 29 2008 19:02 loved it..made me laugh and made me cry..brilliant acting by 2 of the best.
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- Teeg69 said...
- Posted on Feb 29 2008 09:02 A great movie, with superlative acting by the two principles.
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- Kane said...
- Posted on Feb 21 2008 09:42 Hallmark mush? Funnily enough, in real life, when someone is terminally ill things usually are 'rife' with hallmark mush. Speaking from personal experience with my fathers passing to terminal cancer just over a year ago. It was hard watching this film for me, it was so close to what it was actually like seeing what the person goes through, in terms of keeping a face for family etc. While still not the best it could have been, I for one am sure that people with the life experience will find this movie somewhat relieving, even if its not real. The circumstances are real, although portrayed in a Hollywood fashion, and in my opinion a fine job was done here. Especially from Morgan and Nicholson.
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- Arthur said...
- Posted on Feb 10 2008 05:01 I saw this movie twice. There is so much excellent material in this movie you need to see it more than once! The principal actors were excellent and are to be congratul;ated on fine performances.
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- Francis said...
- Posted on Jan 08 2008 20:24 Just today I was commenting at work that I usually don't read movie reviews because they are written by "movie snobs." People who just can't sit back and enjoy something, especially a movie that is this moving. We all have to keep up with our peers, I guess that is the same in "movie rating."
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- richard said...
- Posted on Dec 26 2007 19:40 this is a very good movie both stars play off one another very well.a must see movie
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- kubrickalien said...
- Posted on Dec 20 2007 19:54 one of the worst movies ever! even by hollywood standards this is an embarassment. I guess Morgan and Jack were paid there rate...that's the only reason I can imagine why they woould do this dreck
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- Angel said...
- Posted on Dec 14 2007 04:56 You couldn't be more wrong. This is one of the best movies of the year!
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Cast & crew
Director: Rob Reiner
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Sean Hayes, Beverly Todd, Rob Morrow full cast
Genre(s): Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 98 mins
US Release: Dec 25 2007
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