Main Characters: Two terminally ill men, Carter Chambers and Edward Cole.
Premise: The film follows their journey to complete a wish list of things to do before they "kick the bucket."
Setting: Begins in a hospital where both men are diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
Development:
Carter, a gifted historian, initially writes a list of things to do after learning he has less than a year to live, but discards it.
Edward finds Carter's list and proposes to complete it, adding his own items and offering to finance it.
Despite initial objections from Carter’s wife, Virginia, they embark on the journey.
Key Adventures:
Skydiving
Driving a Shelby Mustang
Flying over the North Pole
Dining at the finest restaurants
Visiting landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, Great Wall of China
Going on a safari in Tanzania
Visiting the base of Mount Everest
Cultural Impact
The term "bucket list" became widely known after the film, coined by the screenwriter Justin Zackham, based on his own list of things to do before dying.
The film explores themes of friendship, the meaning of life, and personal fulfillment.
Release and Reception
Premiere: December 15, 2007, in Hollywood
Limited Release: December 25, 2007, in the United States
Wide Release: January 11, 2008
Reception: Mixed reviews from critics.
Accolades: Selected as one of the top films by the National Board of Review.
Trivia
The screenplay for The Bucket List was Justin Zackham’s first major studio film.
The movie's success popularized the concept of a "bucket list" across the globe.