The Holidays are over, but there\u2019s still time to see one of the better holiday movies. And, it\u2019s actually more relevant now (at the start of the new year) than it was over the holidays.
\nThe plot of “The Bucket List” doesn\u2019t sound all that inspirational: two guys from different sides of the tracks end up in the same hospital room after discovering they probably have terminal cancer. They endure chemotherapy treatments together, waiting for test results together, getting sick together, dealing with interested family and employees together, and the stages of response as they both find out they have terminal conditions. It sounds like a groaner, but it\u2019s actually as inspiring as it is heart-warming
\nWhat makes this movie inspiring isn\u2019t just that they make a list of the things they want to do before they die and actually go about doing them: it\u2019s the honest portrayal of the reality of death and\u2014worse\u2014the reality of what it\u2019s like to live with the trauma and pain that accompanies the certainty of impending doom.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe Bucket List\u201d features Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman at their best, as both break from their typical molds in roles that move beyond typecast. Jack succeeds at bringing us Edward Cole, who actually becomes vulnerable and out of control, as well as needy and interdependent. Freeman\u2019s everyman friendliness is jettisoned for much of the movie as he brings us Carter Chambers, who is understandably frustrated, angry, bitter and withdrawn at the news of his terminal condition. Rob Reiner\u2019s direction is another example of how his movies are literal and true, not flinching at life\u2019s most precious moments. And Beverly Todd (as Virginia Chambers) is brilliant in a supporting role as Carter\u2019s committed but angry wife during a nuanced and complicated time.
\nAnyone who\u2019s ever walked through this season of life with family and close friends will find a warm embrace from a film that embraces your pain. Anyone who hasn\u2019t gone through it yet will be better prepared. Even better, though, is a big-screen invitation to write down the things you want to do before your run is done\u2026and do them!!!
\nBefore you make you New Year\u2019s Resolutions, go see \u201cThe Bucket List.\u201d And if you\u2019ve already made \u2018em, go see this anyway, and I\u2019ll bet you\u2019ll change \u2018em to something far more challenging. And inspiring!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Holidays are over, but there\u2019s still time to see one of the better holiday movies. And, it\u2019s actually more relevant now (at the start of the new year) than it was over the holidays. The plot of “The Bucket List” doesn\u2019t sound all that inspirational: two guys from different sides of the tracks end…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":104,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1603","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-movies"],"yoast_head":"\n