Let’s Talk About The Bucket List
I love The Bucket List. Every time I watch it, I’m struck by how it manages to be so funny and full of life while tugging at your heart in the most profound ways. It’s a story of two men—Edward and Carter—who couldn’t be more different. One is a wealthy, cynical businessman, and the other a wise, humble mechanic. Yet, by some twist of fate, they meet, and their lives become entwined in the most unexpected and beautiful way.
What touches me most is how their journey highlights the simple truth that at the end of the day, no matter how differently we live or how much we have, we’re all human. We all have dreams, regrets, and a desire to make the most of the time we have. Watching Edward and Carter find courage and joy as they tackle their bucket lists is a reminder of how transformative it can be to share that kind of openness with someone else.
This movie always gets me thinking about my own bucket list.
Every year, as part of my end-of-year ritual, I revisit it. I reflect on what I’ve accomplished, what’s left, and what still scares me.
Some items are big and exciting—things that make me feel alive. But others...well, they terrify me. I’ve kept them on my list anyway, hoping that one day I’ll find the courage to face them.
What about you?
Do you have a bucket list?
Is there something on it that excites you—or something that scares you?
Here are a few questions for reflection & Movie Club discussions for this TV Film:
Which item on the bucket list surprised you the most?
Did your perspective on life change after watching the movie?
Can you relate to either Carter or Edward? Why or why not?
What would be on your own bucket list?
What is the significance of the "bucket list" in the film, and how does it shape the characters' journeys?
If you had a "bucket list," what values or dreams would guide it?
How do you think facing mortality changes how we live day to day?
Edward is initially cynical about the world, while Carter is full of quiet wisdom. How do these traits complement and transform one another?
What role does courage play in ticking off the items on your bucket list?
What does the film teach us about regrets and reconciliation, both with others and with ourselves?
Where to Watch: Link