“The Bucket List” an entertaining education in living and dying

The Bucket List, starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, directed by Rob Reiner, written by Justin Zackham

Director Rob Reiner and writer Justin Zackham’s comedy-drama “The Bucket List” provides much-needed education on living and dying for American society This is a buddy movie with a twist when “two terminally ill men escape from a cancer ward and head off on a road trip with a wish list of to-dos before they die” (Internet Movie Database, IMD)

I love the tagline:”When he closed his eyes, his heart was opened” which we hear in Morgan Freeman’s voice-over at the beginning as the camera pans over the magestic Himalayas…before dropping us down into a car repair shop. These two visual journeys define the tone of the movie: the transcendent and ordinary nature of life, revealed.

Friendship reaches across class and race in the bond of impending death. Can a be-zillion dollars buy happiness? No, but the money can open a world (and provide the viewer with a great travelogue fantasy). Within that open world of possibility, heart education happens.

For we Boomers, Nicholson and Freeman are iconic actors. Here they play off each other to perfection, in roles we’ve come to associate with them: the wise ass and the wise man. I don’t have to tell you which is which.

If you had six months to live, what would be on your bucket list? How would you go about finding the joy in your life?

NOTE:

Please check out Jana Segal’s reviews at Reel Inspiration. There’s lots going on over there. Jana’s on a mission to spread the news about inspiriting films. Besides reviews you’ll find news about their film contest, directing workshop, and other film events. This is also where you can share or recommend movies with their community that you consider “inspiring, give hope or raise human consciousness.” –JGR