The Bucket List

Recently I saw The Bucket List, a film starring two great actors, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. Depending on your point of view on life and how you deal with things, you could find this film somewhat depressing, or very inspiring. I found it to be the latter- in fact, it really made me think about life. I won't go into the whole storyline, but it is about two very different men who are both diagnosed with terminal cancer and less than one year to live. One is a corporate billionaire and the other is a working class mechanic with a penchant for history and facts. They end up sharing a hospital room together, and after getting past initial treatments decide to leave the hospital and go do all the things each has ever wanted to do before they die. They write a "bucket list," the things to do before "they kick the bucket". They travel the world, and do all sorts of fun things together along the way. In the end, they find joy, friendship, make discoveries, find redemption, and ultimately "heal" each other. It is a moving film that made me think about priorities in life and what's important. I didn't find it overly sad or depressing, so unless you are particularly sensitive about these things or perhaps what I've described hits a little too close to home, I'd recommend renting it. I'm sure some people might think it portrays having a terminal illness as all fun and games, but that's not the point of the film. It's about making the journey of life and discovering things about yourself. It's worth the rental fee and microwave popcorn for sure.
-Rick Rockhill