Critic's Corner
'Bucket List' reminds audience of how good Nicholson can be
Critic's Corner By DNA Smith

Jack Nicholson, pictured above, plays a curmudgeonly billionaire with an appetite for women and the good life in "The Bucket List."

"The Bucket List" Running Time: 98 minutes MPAA rating: PG-13

Jack Nicholson. Morgan Freeman. One plays a curmudgeonly billionaire with an appetite for women and the good life. The other plays a sage, all-knowing, spiritual guide who teaches the other an important lesson about family. Guess who plays which?

Yeah.

Freeman plays Carter Chambers, a mechanic dying of cancer. Through a totally ludicrous plot device, Chambers ends up sharing a hospital room with Ed Cole (Nicholson), the billionaire who owns the hospital.

The two begrudgingly begin to know each other. Eventually they decide leave the hospital to pursue their Bucket List, a list of things the two want to accomplish before they kick the bucket. Things like "Witness Something Majestic," "Kiss the Prettiest Girl in the World." Stuff like that.

They climb a pyramid in Egypt. They travel to the Himalayas. Race in a Shelby Cobra? Check.

Along the way, Morgan Freeman learns that Jack has an adult daughter he hasn't spoken to in decades. Grab the Kleenex, Bubba, cuz you know you'll be visitin' Niagara Falls by the end credits.

There are a few good moments where Jack Nicholson isn't playing Jack Nicholson. When he does show those few vulnerable moments, you're reminded of what a great actor he used to be. It's for those moments that I can recommend this film -- not at full price, of course. Check it at a matinee.

GRADE: C+

(c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.