by Missy Thompson

CORRESPONDENT

If any other actors were to take on the lead characters in "The Bucket List," the film would have turned out pretty bad. Luckily, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman were available.

Although I believe "The Bucket List" is a great movie that is definitely enjoyable and fun to watch, I wouldn't call it award-worthy. Both Nicholson and Freeman are terrific actors, probably two of the best of all-time. And while the film's premise is just fine, I found the way they took terminal illness so seriously at first and then turned it around as if it was no big deal to be disconcerting.

It doesn't seem to matter anymore if Nicholson or Freeman are playing characters similar to past ones because they are so good. The downside to this film is the lack of energy from Sean Hayes, who played the eccentric Jack on the television series "Will and Grace." As much as I enjoy watching Hayes, he brings "The Bucket List" down. I understand that his character is supposed to be picked on and silly, but that doesn't mean he can't have a little charisma.

In "The Bucket List," Fortune 500 hospital corporate owner Edward Cole (Nicholson) finds out he has cancer. His whole life has been built around the hospital and making money. Now that he is actually in one of his own hospitals, he learns he has a terminally ill roommate in Carter Chambers (Freeman). Edward made it hospital policy that there were to be no private rooms, and he protests against having a roommate but to no avail.

Carter spends the majority of his time in the room watching "Jeopardy!" and saying each answer correctly. But when both his and Edward's doctors come to give them the devastating news that they each had six months to a year to live, Carter knew he couldn't just sit around watching game shows. While Carter was in college, one of his professors gave the class an assignment to write down a bucket list which was a list of things they wanted to do before they died.

Edward catches wind of this list and decides it's something they should do together. Carter's ideas are more subdued and achievable, while Edward would rather go skydiving or race car driving. In a fit of excitement, the two newly found friends escape from the hospital to achieve their dreams before kicking the bucket.

The friendship explored through this film is quite moving. Edward and Carter were forced to become friends while sharing a hospital room. Yet their relationship blossomed because they understood what the other one was going through.

"The Bucket List" is directed by Rob Reiner, the guy who brought us "This is Spinal Tap." Reiner seems to have lost some of his edge since Spinal Tap. Having directed films like "Rumor Has It..." and "The Story of Us" shows he has a softer side -- and "The Bucket List" is definitely that type of film. However, it isn't a chick flick. Still, I'm sure it will make many audiences shed a few tears.

missy@tooeletranscript.com

Grade: B-

Rated: PG-13

Time: 97 minutes

Opens Friday