Carter (Freeman) has made a decent living as a mechanic, and has a lively family to show for it. Edward (Nicholson) has made a fortune through private hospitals, enjoying the bachelor life but estranged from his only child. Both men are struck by cancer before retirement, and the outlook isn't good. They meet in the hospital and strike up an unlikely friendship, agreeing to face their final months head-on and making a list of things to do before kicking the bucket. So they head out on an around-the-world adventure together.

If you're going to be in this kid of situation, it helps that one of you is a billionaire with a private jet and an efficient personal assistant (Hayes) to plan every luxurious detail. These kinds of fabulous contrivances mean the film can never be more than a fable, but Reiner nicely balances the light comedy and serious drama, so we go with it. And along the way, there are a few meaningfully intense scenes between the characters, most notably Carter and his wife (Todd).

There's also terrific chemistry between Freeman and Nicholson as two spirited men from opposite sides of the tracks who actually have rather a lot in common. Both do what they do best here, and their journey together is both audacious and thoughtful. Their travelogues scenes have a Hope-Crosby cheesiness, from the Riviera to the Himalayas by way of an African safari, the Egyptian pyramids, the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall.

Besides an early bout of skydiving, this isn't a particularly adventurous adventure, sticking to the obvious tourist spots. But never mind, the more interesting journey is the internal one, and Reiner is much better at directing scenes that give Freeman and Nicholson a chance to dig into their characters to find the dark corners, doubts and bitterness. The final message is somewhat basic (about giving and receiving joy), but as a whole, the film is charming and even moving.

themes, language, innuendo

6.Nov.07