Film Pitch: The Bucket List (2007)

Film Pitch 

Don't you think all these modern films are made for the 'younger' audience? These fastest and angry films and the like? Remember the good old days? Yeah the 70s... no there wasn't a potential nuclear winter constantly seconds away. Shut up! Remember the good old days when we used to hang out with our friends and go roller discoing? Those were the days.

What was I saying? Sorry the memory isn't what it used to be... Anyway there's this huge film watching audience which isn't targeted by the current crop of films so we should make the most of this by putting two iconic stars of target audience's youth and have them going through things old people go through. Like free buses or frequent bowel movements. Of course it'll have to be about death. I mean we all go through it right? It's not far from the forefront of your mind when Jimmy doesn't even call on father's day, brat!

We don't want it too dour though so make sure they party too, old people can have fun too! If this film goes well we can make a series of geriatric films... we'll hire Michael Caine for those he does anything for a paycheque. Great for bachelor parties.


Critics Say

So the reaction to the film wasn't nearly as bad as you might expect considering I'm pretty sure that with the exception of Harold & Maude comedy is rarely a old person's game.

Nicholson and Freeman's performances were praised however the script itself was generally put down for it predictable plot-line. Surprisingly the film was selected as one of the 10 best films of the year by the American Film Institute, which is rare for a film which received mixed reviews.

Roger Ebert, who had cancer at the time, took particular umbrage to the film's portrayal of cancer's sufferers and accused the film of "think[ing] dying of cancer is a laugh riot followed by a dime-store epiphany." 

The film has a 7.4 on IMDB and 41% on Rotten Tomatoes. 

Me Says

It isn't one of Freeman or Nicholson's finest but it was surprisingly palatable. The chemistry between the two leads is enticing enough to make the bland plot worth it. There really isn't much to say, the emotional core of the film wasn't particularly resonant and the jokes weren't cutting edge or particularly rememberable.

The film should appease anyone, it's perfect Sunday viewing. The thing is the only reasons to see the film are right beneath the film title.

Staring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman


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