Blue-collar mechanic Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman) and billionaire hospital magnate Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) meet for the first time in the hospital after both have been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Although Edward is reluctant to share a room with Carter, complaining that he "looks half-dead already", they become friends as they undergo their respective treatments.
Carter is a gifted amateur historian and family man who had wanted to become a history professor in his youth, had been "black, broke, [and with a] baby on the way" and, thus, never rose above his status as a mechanic at the McCreath body shop. Carter loves showing off his knowledge and his favorite show is Jeopardy!. Edward is a four-time divorced health-care tycoon and cultured loner who enjoys nothing more than tormenting his personal valet/servant, Thomas (Hayes), who later reveals his name is actually Matthew. Edward prefers to call him Thomas because he finds the name Matthew "too biblical". Edward enjoys drinking Kopi Luwak, one of the most expensive coffees in the world.
During their time in the ward, both Carter and Edward seem to find common ground as they have intellectual personalities. Carter begins writing a "bucket list" for all, or things to do before he "kicks the bucket" (i.e., dies). After hearing he has less than a year, Carter discards the list. Edward finds it the next morning and urges Carter to do everything on the list (and adds more things to do), and offers to finance the trip for both of them. Carter agrees, despite the protests of his wife, Virginia (Todd). Edward and Carter begin an around-the-world vacation. [1]
Naturally, their plan isn't as simple as it sounds. Both have unfinished business back home, and soon their journeys are interrupted by real-life demands. They also have metaphorical baggage to unpack, the biggest of which is facing death knowing that they've made peace with their lives.[2]
II. Philosophical Ideas/ Concepts
- Life
“We live, we die, and the wheels on the bus go round and round.”[3]
Remember that in living our life we must create memories that we can cherish as we leave this world. Never waste any time, because you will never appreciate the value of it until you have less. Just remember the conversation between Carter and Edward, it goes this way….
Carter Chambers: Forty-five years goes by pretty fast.
Edward Cole: Like smoke through a keyhole.[4]
In order for you to know if you’re life is worth living, try to ask yourself what Carter Chambers ask Edward Perryman. His question goes like this….
Carter Chambers: [to Edward, of the two questions asked of the dead by the gods at the entrance to heaven] “Have you found joy in your life? Has your life brought joy to others?”[5]
Life has no limitations, except the ones you make. The trick is to enjoy life. Don’t wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead.
- Death
- Friendship
Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us. Who could have imagined that during your numbered days you will meet someone that will have a big impact on your life? If you would recall, Edward delivers a eulogy at the funeral, explaining that he and Carter had been complete strangers, but the last three months of Carter's life were the best three months of his. Here’s what Edward Cole said during Carter’s funeral…
Edward Cole: The simplest thing is... I loved him. And I miss him. Carter and I saw the world together. Which is amazing... When you think that only three months ago, we were complete strangers! I hope that it doesn't sound selfish of me but... the last months of his life were the best months of mine. He saved my life... And he knew it before I did.[9]
He crosses off "help a complete stranger for the good" from the list. From that moment we can actually conclude how Carter affected Edward’s life. They were strangers; exact opposite of one another but that doesn’t even become a reason for them not to become friends. I love how two people could come together over a common bond, and it really exemplifies that sometimes our greatest friends are not like us, but in fact, totally different from us.
- Love
Carter Chambers: [in his letter to Edward] Dear Edward, I've gone back and forth the last few days trying to decide whether or not I should even write this. In the end, I realized I would regret it if I didn't, so here it goes. I know the last time we saw each other, we weren't exactly hitting the sweetest notes-certain weren’t the way I wanted the trip to end. I suppose I'm responsible and for that, I'm sorry. But in all honestly, if I had the chance, I'd do it again. Virginia said I left a stranger and came back a husband; I owe that to you. There's no way I can repay you for all you've done for me, so rather than try, I'm just going to ask you to do something else for me-find the joy in your life. You once said you're not everyone. Well, that's true-you're certainly not everyone, but everyone is everyone. My pastor always says our lives are streams flowing into the same river towards whatever heaven lies in the mist beyond the falls. Find the joy in your life, Edward. My dear friend, close your eyes and let the waters take you home.[11]
After reading that letter, Edward finally attempts to reconcile with his daughter. She accepts him back into her life and introduces him to the granddaughter he never knew he had. After greeting the little girl with a kiss on the cheek, Edward crosses "kiss the most beautiful girl in the world" off the list. That particular scene touched my heart.
I’ve seen the movie The Bucket List more than once. Every time I watch it I always feel the same feeling. My eyes are usually a little puffy and red rimmed. I usually don’t like when people die except in horror movies. Haha. Now I know why I love Disney type movies. People don’t die in them; at least, not any characters that I’m emotionally invested in. None of that was the point. The point is that watching that movie has been on my to-do list. I’m all about adventure and making sure that we live our lives instead of just existing on this plane of existence. We are here to enjoy, to make the best of, to help others and to enrich. The movie shows that there are lessons to be learned everywhere you look and that sometimes, it’s the simplest things that make all of the difference.
[1] Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia
[3] The Bucket List Quotes – IMBD
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0825232/trivia?tab=qt&ref_=tt_trv_qu
[4] The Bucket List Quotes – IMBD
[6] Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopediahttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt0825232/trivia?tab=qt&ref_=tt_trv_qu
[4] The Bucket List Quotes – IMBD
[7] The Bucket List Movie Review - Common Sense Media
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-bucket-list
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment