The Bucket List (2007)

Director:

Rob Reiner

Writer (WGA):

Justin Zackham (written by)

Release Date:

11 January 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

When he closed his eyes, his heart was opened

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

List | Hospital | Friend | Mechanic | Cancer

Awards:

3 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. Nov. 17	8:15 PM	MAX
Mon. Nov. 23	4:50 PM	MAX
Fri. Nov. 27	3:15 PM	MAX

Cast

Jack Nicholson	...	Edward Cole
Morgan Freeman	...	Carter Chambers
Sean Hayes	...	Thomas
Beverly Todd	...	Virginia Chambers
Rob Morrow	...	Dr. Hollins
Alfonso Freeman	...	Roger Chambers
Rowena King	...	Angelica
Annton Berry Jr.	...	Kai
Verda Bridges	...	Shandra
Destiny Brownridge	...	Maya
Brian Copeland	...	Lee
Ian Anthony Dale	...	Instructor
Jennifer Defrancisco	...	Emily (as Jennifer DeFrancisco)
Angela Gardner	...	Female Administrator
Noel Gugliemi	...	Mechanic
Jonathan Hernandez	...	Manny
Hugh B. Holub	...	County Health Director (as Hugh Holub)
Andrea Johnson	...	Elizabeth Chambers (as Andrea J. Johnson)
Dawn Lewis	...	Flight Attendant
Jordan Lund	...	Tattoo Artist
Richard McGonagle	...	Board Chairman
Jonathan Mangum	...	Richard
Karen Maruyama	...	Nurse Shing
Amber Mead	...	Attractive Woman #1
Nikki Novak	...	Attractive Woman #2
John O'Brien	...	Executive #1
Serena Reeder	...	Rachel
Christopher Stapleton	...	Kyle
Taylor Ann Thompson	...	Edward's Granddaughter
Alex Trebek	...	Himself
Roy Vongtama	...	Doctor #1
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
MaShae Alderman	...	Young Virginia (uncredited)
Lauren Cohn	...	Denise (uncredited)
Frank Maharajh	...	Sashi Olpadwala (uncredited)
Vin Scully	...	Himself (voice) (uncredited)
Arne Starr	...	Doctor (uncredited)
George F. Watson	...	Hospital Review Board Member (uncredited)

Directed by
Rob Reiner

Writing credits (WGA)
Justin Zackham		(written by)

Produced by
Frank Capra III	....	co-producer
Alan Greisman	....	producer
Travis Knox	....	executive producer
Neil Meron	....	producer
Rob Reiner	....	producer
Jeffrey Stott	....	executive producer
Justin Zackham	....	executive producer
Craig Zadan	....	producer

Original Music by
Marc Shaiman

Cinematography by
John Schwartzman		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Robert Leighton

Casting by
Janet Hirshenson
Jane Jenkins

Production Design by
Bill Brzeski

Art Direction by
Jay Pelissier

Set Decoration by
Robert Greenfield

Costume Design by
Molly Maginnis

Makeup Department
Deena Adair	....	hair stylist: Mr. Freeman
Howard Berger	....	tattoo artist
Michael Germain	....	makeup artist: Mr. Nicholson (as Mike Germain)
Nancy Hancock	....	makeup artist: Mr. Freeman (as Nancy Worthen-Hancock)
Marie Larkin	....	key hair stylist
Ryan McDowell	....	prosthetic lab work
Medusah	....	hair department head
Matthew W. Mungle	....	prosthetic makeup artist: Mr. Nicholson (as Matthew Mungle)
Valli O'Reilly	....	makeup department head
Tonyia Verna	....	key makeup artist (as Tanya Verna)
Joy Zapata	....	hair stylist: Mr. Nicholson
Stephen Bettles	....	special makeup effects technician (uncredited)
Melissa Forney	....	key hair stylist (uncredited)
Jamie Kelman	....	tattoo makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Susan E. Novick	....	post-production supervisor
Mark Scoon	....	executive in charge of production
David Siegel	....	unit production manager (as David A. Siegel)
Jeffrey Stott	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Frank Capra III	....	first assistant director
Stephen W. Moore	....	second second assistant director
Brian Relyea	....	second assistant director (as Brian F. Relyea)
Alex Daniels	....	second unit director (uncredited)
Eugene Davis	....	second second assistant director: day player (uncredited)
Bill Purple	....	second assistant director: second unit (uncredited)
Jody Spilkoman	....	second assistant director: second unit (uncredited)
Denise Strong	....	second assistant director: second unit (uncredited)

Art Department
Todd Bennett	....	plaster foreman
Jack Blanchard	....	set dresser
Laurence Castello	....	paint foreman
Randy Culberhouse	....	propmaker foreman
Doug DuRose	....	assistant property master
John R. Elliott	....	construction coordinator (as John Elliott)
Brian Feola	....	propmaker foreman
Sean Ginevan	....	lead man
Ilana Gordon	....	art department coordinator
Robert Greenfield III	....	on-set dresser
Martha Johnston	....	assistant art director
Eugene McCarthy	....	property master
Mike Medina	....	construction general foreman (as Michael Medina)
Barbara Mesney	....	set designer
Mark Moretti	....	storyboard artist (as Mark A. Moretti)
Lee Runnels	....	greensperson
Dominic Sandfrey	....	labor foreman
James E. Tocci	....	set designer (as Jim Tocci)
Richard F. Anderson	....	set dresser (uncredited)
Mark Boucher	....	set dresser (uncredited)
Chris J. Champagne	....	set dresser (uncredited)
Alan Easley	....	set dressing gangboss (uncredited)
Mathias Fain	....	set dresser (uncredited)
L. David Gordon	....	drapery foreman (uncredited)
J. Bryan Holloway	....	sculptor gang boss (uncredited)
Jeffrey Paul Johnson	....	props (uncredited)
Charles Kern	....	camera scenic artist (uncredited)
Ricky Lewis Jr.	....	storyboard artist (uncredited)
Steven Light-Orr	....	set dresser (uncredited)
James MacDonald	....	scenic artist (uncredited)
Cameron Matheson	....	set dressing gang boss (uncredited)
Scott Owen	....	set dresser (uncredited)
Portia Perry	....	decorator painter (uncredited)
Michael Ruby	....	signwriter (uncredited)
Mark Tuttle	....	set dresser (uncredited)
John Villarino	....	carpenter (uncredited)
Todd Wolcott	....	greensman (uncredited)

Sound Department
Robert Althoff	....	digital playback operator
Steve Bartkowicz	....	sound re-recording engineer
Ron Bedrosian	....	adr mixer
Lon Bender	....	adr supervisor
Lon Bender	....	sound supervisor
Tim Boggs	....	adr editor
Bryan Bowen	....	sound editor
John Cannon	....	assistant sound editor
Robert Deschaine	....	adr mixer
Perry Dodgson	....	boom operator
Robert Eber	....	production sound mixer
Marc Fishman	....	sound re-recording mixer
Nerses Gezalyan	....	foley mixer
Glynna Grimala	....	foley supervisor
Laura R. Harris	....	dialogue editor (as Laura Harris Atkinson)
Daniel R. Kerr	....	additional sound (as Dan Kerr)
Tony Lamberti	....	sound re-recording mixer
Michael Mesirow	....	cable person (as Mike Mesirow)
James Moriana	....	foley artist (as Jimmy Moriana)
Mark Ormandy	....	additional sound
Ann Scibelli	....	sound editor
Greg Steele	....	adr mixer (as Greg Steele)
John C. Stuver	....	dialogue editor
Gayle Wesley	....	first assistant sound editor
Jeffrey Wilhoit	....	foley artist (as Jeff Wilhoit)
Xavier Horan	....	sound editor (uncredited)
Jeff Malham	....	dubbing engineer (uncredited)
Greg Zimmerman	....	adr recordist (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Scott R. Fisher	....	special effects technician (as Scott Fisher)
Donald Frazee	....	special effects coordinator
Scott Lingard	....	special effects foreman
Jim Rollins	....	special effects technician

Visual Effects by
Greg Anderson	....	CGI supervisor: Ring of Fire
Jeremy Burns	....	lead compositor
Casey Conroy	....	visual effects producer: Ring of Fire
Syd Dutton	....	visual effects: Illusion Arts
Collin Fowler	....	visual effects coordinator: Illusion Arts
William Higgins	....	compositor: Ring of Fire (as Bill Higgins)
Brinton Jaecks	....	compositor: Ring of Fire
Fumi Mashimo	....	visual effects: Illusion Arts
Kelvin McIlwain	....	visual effects: Illusion Arts
John Myers	....	visual effects executive producer: Ring of Fire
Erin L. Nelson	....	digital restoration
Lori J. Nelson	....	visual effects producer
Kim O'Donnell	....	compositor: Ring of Fire (as Kim Peppe)
Jim O'Hagan	....	digital compositor: Pacific Title
Jason Piccioni	....	visual effects: Ring of Fire
John Roden	....	compositor: Ring of Fire (as Josh Roden)
Robert Scifo	....	visual effects: Illusion Arts (as Bob Scifo)
Jerry Spivack	....	visual effects supervisor: Ring of Fire
Catherine Sudolcan	....	visual effects: Illusion Arts
Corinne Villa	....	visual effects editor
Travis Baumann	....	digital artist (uncredited)
Jan Beran	....	motion control technician (uncredited)
Marvin Chua	....	visual effects plate coordinator: second unit (uncredited)
Jan Cilliers	....	compositor (uncredited)
Casey Conroy	....	visual effects plate supervisor: second unit, skydiving sequence (uncredited)
Ron Crabb	....	matte painter (uncredited)
Craig Crawford	....	digital compositor (uncredited)
Todd Erickson	....	CG artist (uncredited)
Kiel Gnebba	....	CG artist (uncredited)
Andy Gorzalski	....	operations manager (uncredited)
Brian Hanable	....	digital effects compositor: Pacific Title (uncredited)
Marcel Hemingway	....	lighting lead (uncredited)
Brinton Jaecks	....	previz artist (uncredited)
Taryn P. Kelly	....	visual effects coordinator: Ring of Fire (uncredited)
Arnon Manor	....	compositor (uncredited)
Joel Merritt	....	matchmove artist (uncredited)
John Myers	....	visual effects plate supervisor: second unit, race track sequence (uncredited)
James P. Noon	....	tracking (uncredited)
Mathew Rotman	....	CG artist (uncredited)
Barrett Sanders	....	visual effects editor (uncredited)
Wilson Tang	....	digital restoration (uncredited)
Lisa Tomei	....	compositor (uncredited)
Simon Wakley	....	motion control supervisor (uncredited)
Mark H. Weingartner	....	plate photography: France (uncredited)
David Wu	....	rotoscope artist (uncredited)
Xye	....	tracking (uncredited)

Stunts
Dean Bailey	....	stunt player
Jophery C. Brown	....	stunt player (as Jophery Brown)
Robert A. Caster	....	stunt player (as Bob Caster)
Melanie Conatser Peschio	....	stunt player (as Pat Conatser)
Alex Daniels	....	stunt coordinator
Tanner Gill	....	stunt player
Steve Kelso	....	stunt player
Hubie Kerns Jr.	....	stunt player
David Major	....	stunt player
Craig O'Brien	....	stunt player
Austin Priester	....	stunt player
Rick Seaman	....	stunt player
Todd Shoebotham	....	stunt player
Buddy Sosthand	....	stunt player
Jim Wallace	....	stunt player
Harry Wowchuk	....	stunt player
Ross A. Jordan	....	stunt driver (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Mark Anderson	....	aerial assistant camera
Dana Baker	....	best boy grip
Sidney Ray Baldwin	....	still photographer (as Sidney Baldwin)
Melanie Banders	....	camera loader
Jack Chouchanian	....	additional: first unit key grip
Joe Chouchanian	....	grip
David R. Christensen	....	chief lighting technician
Carlos DePalma	....	rigging grip
Tom Derose	....	assistant chief lighting technician
Frank Dorowsky	....	rigging gaffer
Ian Fox	....	camera operator
Rick Harris	....	key rigging grip
Mark Hochman	....	24 frame video playback operator
Thom Lairson	....	second assistant camera
Richard Mosier	....	first assistant camera
Brad Rea	....	dolly grip: "a" camera
David Schmalz	....	video assist operator (as Dave Schmalz)
Michael Shaw	....	grip
Donald A. Spadoni	....	rigging grip
Les T. Tomita	....	key grip (as Les Tomita)
Michael T. Travers	....	best boy grip (as Michael Travers)
Rick Whitfield	....	24 frame video playback operator
Eric Amundsen	....	second assistant camera: second unit (uncredited)
Adam Austin	....	libra head operator (uncredited)
Mark Carlile	....	lighting technician (uncredited)
Joshua Davis	....	lighting technician (uncredited)
Clayton Fowler	....	rigging grip (uncredited)
Steven L. Franklin	....	grip (uncredited)
Josh Greer	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Quinn Grove	....	rigging grip (uncredited)
Tony Hibbard	....	electrician (uncredited)
Gregory Irwin	....	first assistant camera (uncredited)
Milan Janicin	....	second assistant camera: second unit (uncredited)
Scott C. Keys	....	rigging electric best boy (uncredited)
Dominic Mainl	....	additional first assistant camera: second unit (uncredited)
James M. McClure	....	key dimmer board operator (uncredited)
Kevin McGill	....	additional first assistant camera (uncredited)
Kevin McGill	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Isaac McKee	....	lighting technician (uncredited)
Johnny Medeiros	....	video assist: second unit (uncredited)
Daisuke Dice Miyake	....	grip (uncredited)
Ziggy Pedone	....	additional rigging electrician (uncredited)
Glen Purdy	....	grip (uncredited)
Daniel R. Purinton	....	lamp operator (uncredited)
John Savedra	....	set electrician (uncredited)
Jerry Woodside	....	electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Chris Bustard	....	extras casting
Jamie Castro	....	casting assistant
Jeni Thornell	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sandy Kenyon	....	costume supervisor
Sally Smith-McCardle	....	key costumer (as Sally McCardle)
Debbie Travis	....	costumer: Mr. Nicholson
Cathie Valdovino	....	costumer: Mr. Freeman
Demetricus Holloway	....	set costumer (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Zahida Bacchus	....	digital intermediate producer: Technicolor Digital Intermediates
Scott Gregory	....	digital film colorist: Technicolor Digital Intermediate
Mo Henry	....	negative cutter
Mike Mertens	....	color timer (as Michael Mertens)
Danny Miller	....	assistant editor
Stephen Nakamura	....	digital film colorist: Technicolor Digital Internediates
John Hirota	....	digital intermediate editor (uncredited)

Music Department
Pete Anthony	....	conductor
Jeff Atmajian	....	orchestrator
Chris Botti	....	musician: trumpet
Greg Hayes	....	assistant score engineer
Gayle Levant	....	musician: harp
Bryan Pezzone	....	musician: piano
Brett Pierce	....	assistant music editor
Brett Pierce	....	music programmer
Peter Rotter	....	orchestra leader
Marc Shaiman	....	musician: piano
Steven L. Smith	....	music preparation
Scott Stambler	....	music editor
Frank Wolf	....	score mixer
Frank Wolf	....	score recordist
Stephen Bashaw	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)
Mark Graham	....	music preparation: score (uncredited)
Frank Wolf	....	music co-producer (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Linda Cipperley	....	transportation
Gene Hubert	....	driver
Jim Petti	....	transportation co-captain
Jonathan A. Rosenfeld	....	transportation coordinator
Jeff Verdick	....	transportation captain
Rich Bennetti	....	transportation co-captain: second unit (uncredited)
Robert Gaskill	....	personal driver: Mr. Freeman (uncredited)
Joel Larson	....	driver (uncredited)
Marty Radcliff	....	driver (uncredited)
Sarah Lynn Schmitt	....	transportation (uncredited)
Paul Tumber	....	transportation (uncredited)

Other crew
Cindy Anderson	....	assistant production accountant
Isaac Ardolino	....	assistant location manager
Chet Badalato	....	support staff: Mr. Nicholson
Laine Bateman	....	assistant: Mr. Zadan and Mr. Meron
Bostic Beard	....	assistant: Mr. Reiner (as Bostic C. Beard)
Kevin Berlandi	....	staff assistant
Monique Berrenson	....	assistant location manager
Jack Blanchard	....	set dressser
Lisa Broffman	....	technical advisor: Jeopardy
Jennifer Carno	....	staff assistant
Bryan Davis	....	production secretary
Sierra Donley	....	staff assistant
Steven Eddy	....	assistant office production coordinator
Fred Einesman	....	medical technical advisor (as Dr. Fred Einesman)
Janette Evans	....	assistant production accountant
Alyssa Feener	....	art production assistant
Robbie Goldstein	....	location manager
Tom Hanada	....	staff assistant
Rob Harris	....	unit publicist
Henry Humphreys	....	first aid
Jared Iacino	....	assistant: Mr. Knox
Deidric Irving	....	first aid (as Diederic Irving)
Rachel Jensen	....	staff assistant
Pam Jones	....	administrative assistant: Mr. Reiner
Alice S. Kim	....	assistant: Mr. Stott
Eric Layne	....	production accountant
Ann Lukacs	....	location manager: Colorado
Kerry Lyn McKissick	....	script supervisor
Mark McSorley	....	staff assistant
Charlie Nadler	....	staff assistant
Dawn Perlin	....	assistant: Mr.Nicholson
Quentin Pierre	....	assistant: Mr. Freeman
Lois Radcliff	....	craft service
Willie Radcliff	....	craft service
Deborah Ricketts	....	stock footage researcher
Rocky Schmidt	....	technical advisor: Jeopardy
Matthew Schoenbaum	....	staff assistant
Christine Scott	....	assistant: mr. nicholson
Chris Scott	....	assistant: Mr. Nicholson
Gene Starzenski	....	first aid (as Eugene Starzenski)
Galadriel Thompson	....	researcher
Michael Wesley	....	key assistant location manager
Maria Westfried	....	assistant: Mr. Greisman
Paula Whiteman	....	medical technical advisor (as Dr. Paula Whiteman)
Andrew Will	....	staff assistant
Shawn Williamson	....	staff assistant
Rio Ahn	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Michael Wesley Aycock	....	key assistant location manager (uncredited)
April Betts	....	photo double (uncredited)
Steven W. Blumenfeld	....	video playback engineer (uncredited)
Trisha Burton	....	script supervisor: second unit (uncredited)
Jennifer Corey	....	production coordinator (uncredited)
Scotch James Diaz Crisostomo	....	second assistant accountant (uncredited)
Bianca D'Carpio	....	production assistant: second unit (uncredited)
Maude F. Furia	....	construction accountant (uncredited)
Robert Gaskill	....	bodyguard: Mr. Freeman (uncredited)
Cindy Nevins	....	payroll accountant (uncredited)
David Shannon	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Donisha Walker	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Lisa Womble	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)
• Zadan / Meron Productions
• Storyline Entertainment
• Two Ton Films

Distributors

• Blitz (2008) (Slovenia) (theatrical)
• Continental Film (2008) (Slovakia) (theatrical)
• Fox-Warner (2008) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Garsu Pasaulio Irasai (2008) (Lithuania) (theatrical)
• InterCom (2008) (Romania) (theatrical)
• Karo Premiere (2008) (Russia) (theatrical)
• Karoprokat (2008) (Russia) (theatrical)
• Kinomania (2008) (Ukraine) (theatrical)
• Nu Metro Productions (2008) (South Africa) (theatrical)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution Sverige AB (2008) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Sandrew Metronome Norge (2008) (Norway) (theatrical)
• Tuck (2008) (Serbia) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. Pictures (2007) (USA) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (2008) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (2008) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (2008) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (2008) (UK) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (2008) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (2008) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (2008) (New Zealand) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (2008) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (2008) (Turkey) (theatrical)
• Warner Home Video (2008) (Switzerland) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-Ray Disc)
• Warner Home Video (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2008) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Warner Home Vídeo (2008) (Brazil) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Hammerhead Productions (uncredited)
• Illusion Arts (visual effects)
• Ring of Fire Studios (visual effects) (as Ring of Fire)

Other Companies

• Executive Assurance  security
• Avon Studio Transport  transportation
• Central Casting  extras casting
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  cranes
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  dollies
• Fujifilm  motion picture products
• Ken & Art's Motion Picture Catering Service  catering
• Kodak  motion picture products
• Movie Movers  star trailers
• Movie Movers  trailers
• Pacific Title  titles
• Technicolor Digital Intermediates  digital intermediate
• Varèse Sarabande  soundtrack

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language, including a sexual reference.

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:PG | UK:12A | Ireland:12A | USA:PG-13 (certificate #43762) | Germany:o.Al. | Norway:A | Philippines:PG-13 | Argentina:13 | Sweden:Btl | Canada:G (Quebec) (theatrical rating) | Hong Kong:IIA | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | South Korea:12 | Taiwan:PG-12 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Finland:S | Netherlands:AL | Australia:M | New Zealand:M | Portugal:M/12 | Iceland:7 (original rating) | Iceland:L (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

California Speedway - 9300 Cherry Avenue, Fontana, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Jack Nicholson's own experience in the hospital, just prior to filming, inspired some of the dialogue and acting for the movie. For example, the mirrored glasses seen in the movie were not originally in the script, but Nicholson, who obtained them while in the hospital, brought them to set. Director Rob Reiner decided to include them in the film.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: In the scene where Cole angrily tears up the list. Later, in the hospital, Carter dramatically takes out the intact list, crosses out "Laugh until I cry," and then hands the list to Cole asking him to finish the list. However, the list is also quite clearly taped back together, but it doesn't look like it have been teared into pieces like what Cole did back at her daughter's lawn.

Quotes:

Edward Cole: Somewhere, some lucky guy's having a heart attack.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2008-01-05)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

The Bucket List Movie Review

One of the most fun and uplifting films of the year, Rob Reiner's The Bucket List is also a likely contender for Academy Award nominations. Wonderfully sarcastic dialogue, poignant exchanges between excellently crafted characters, and an overall beautiful tale of mortality and morality, The Bucket List is an excellent opportunity for two of the greatest actors of our time to show off their inimitable techniques. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman have a chemistry that will have you laughing until you cry and crying at the sight of something truly majestic.

Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) is an incredibly wealthy hospital owner who firmly believes that he's running infirmaries instead of health spas, and therefore demands that each room contain two beds and two patients. When a twist of fate lands him in his own hospital, he's stuck sharing a room with Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman). Both men are dying of cancer, and the doctors give each of them only a few months left to live. The two slowly but surely realize how much they enjoy each other's company, so when Carter begins writing a "bucket list", Jack prompts him to see it through. The "bucket list" is a list of all the things both Edward and Carter would like to accomplish in their remaining months (before they kick the bucket) and with Cole's wealth, the two end up touring the world, skydiving and racecar driving. As their list of goals begins to come to an end, they realize how much they've truly lived just in the last few months alone, and how much their short friendship has impacted their lives.

Jack Nicholson's performance is excellent as the curmudgeonly Ebenezer character that receives a change of heart and a change of view with Carter's friendship. Little character development is necessary as we have come to recognize Jack's style over the years. We're already familiar with his character and relate to him in much the same way we feel about all of his recent projects. He's attained a level of recognition that allows us to acknowledge him simply as Jack. Regardless of his role, he's still Jack, and he doesn't disappoint.

The same can be said for Morgan Freeman who continues to play roles that accentuate his knack for worldly, wise and good-natured characters that can make us laugh and cry from moment to moment. Rarely do we see two actors work so well together – this odd couple appears to have been destined for these roles. The chemistry between these veterans is pleasantly refreshing, and because of it, The Bucket List is one of the most entertaining films of the year.

Another aspect, which is a great credit to screenwriter Justin Zackham, is the dialogue, which is continually hilarious even while it borders on heartbreaking. Sarcasm and cynicism are proudly worn by Jack, and the conversations conducted between the two are never dull. Meaningful, affecting and downright funny, the script is amazingly well paced and flows more naturally than anything in recent memory.

Nearly everything is likable about The Bucket List, except the tone of the film, which many awards voters and critics may feel is too repetitious of late. The film is uplifting and heartwarming, and while the conclusion strives for unpredictability, comparisons may be drawn to similarly crafted works. "Driving Miss Daisy" and "As Good as it Gets" are immediately brought to mind, especially because these include the same actors, although the morals of "A Christmas Carol" and "It's A Wonderful Life" are clearly beneath the surface of this feel-good comedy. Despite these comparisons, The Bucket List is wholesome entertainment that will certainly bring director Rob Reiner back into the spotlight, especially after his unpropitious previous project, "Rumor Has It…".

- Mike Massie