The Bucket List

The Bucket List

Year: 2019

Runtime: 115 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Isshin Inudo

Drama

Sachie Kitahara, a devoted housewife, and Mako Goda, a successful businesswoman, find their lives unexpectedly altered when they are both diagnosed with terminal illnesses. Brought together at a hospital, these women from vastly different backgrounds discover a shared sense of emptiness. They then find a bucket list written by a twelve-year-old girl and decide to fulfill her wishes. As they embark on this journey, Sachie and Mako experience a renewed sense of purpose and happiness.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Bucket List (2019)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Bucket List (2019). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 21st century

The events unfold in contemporary times, anchored by modern hospitals, travel, and luxury experiences. The countdown to death motivates the rapid, international itinerary rather than a prolonged journey. The film uses a present-day setting to explore how people choose to live when time is有限.

Location

Hospital (Edward's hospital), California (USA), North Pole, Chèvre d'or (Eze, France), Taj Mahal (India), Great Wall of China, Tanzania (Serengeti), Mount Everest region (Nepal/China), Great Pyramid of Giza (Egypt), Hong Kong

The narrative begins in a hospital in the United States before sending the two men on a globe-spanning journey. Their adventures move from California to distant landmarks and natural wonders, including the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, and the Great Pyramid of Giza, with stops in Hong Kong and atop Mount Everest. The real world settings—ranging from luxury locales to iconic sites—frame a meditation on mortality, legacy, and human connection.

🏥 Hospital 🌍 Travel 🗺️ Landmarks

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:19

Main Characters – The Bucket List (2019)

Meet the key characters of The Bucket List (2019), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Carter Chambers

A blue-collar automotive mechanic and gifted amateur historian who dreamed of being a history professor. He is a devoted family man, whose tenure in life centers on his loved ones and a quiet curiosity about the past. His illness catalyzes a shift from routine to a purposeful, memory-filled journey.

🔧 Blue-collar 📚 Historian 👨‍👩‍👧 Family man

Edward Cole

A four-time divorced healthcare tycoon and cultured loner who uses humor and wealth to mask emotional distance. He funds the bucket-list adventure and, through the trip, confronts his estrangement from his daughter. His journey toward vulnerability leads to reconciliation and a renewed sense of connection.

💼 Billionaire 🧭 Cultured 🧳 Adventurer

Virginia

Carter's wife who objects to the spontaneous, financially loaded journey. She embodies pragmatism and concern for family stability, highlighting the tension between duty and personal fulfillment. Her stance sets up the emotional stakes surrounding the men's quest for meaning.

👩 Spouse 💬 Concerned 🧭 Realist

Matthew

Edward's loyal valet who accompanies the pair on their travels. He acts as a steady observer and facilitator, helping to manage logistics and memories from the journey. His presence offers a grounded perspective amid dramatic revelations.

🧑 Valet 🕹 Witness 🎭 Comic-relief

Edward's Daughter

The estranged daughter who becomes a focal point for reconciliation. Past hurts drive distance between father and child, but the trip and subsequent events prompt a potential for forgiveness and the rebirth of family ties.

👩 Daughter ❤️ Estranged 🔁 Reconciliation

Edward's Granddaughter

The child Edward never knew he had, revealed during the reconciliation. Her presence underscores the film's message that love and family endure beyond time and missteps, offering a hopeful note for the future.

👶 Grandchild ❤️ Loved ✨ New beginning

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:19

Major Themes – The Bucket List (2019)

Explore the central themes of The Bucket List (2019), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤝 Friendship

Two men from different backgrounds form an unlikely bond as they confront mortality together. Their camaraderie transcends class, wealth, and status, revealing what genuine connection can teach about living with purpose. The journey uses humor and honesty to soften fear and foster growth.

🗒️ Bucket List

The list becomes a catalyst for risk-taking, self-discovery, and redefining value. Each item pushes the men beyond comfort, turning adventures into lessons about gratitude, generosity, and what it means to live fully. The act of checking off dreams reframes their priorities away from material success toward meaningful experiences.

🕊 Family

Family ties, regrets, and forgiveness drive the emotional arc. The men seek reconciliation with loved ones, revealing how past choices shape present relationships. The resolution emphasizes healing, the importance of those we leave behind, and the possibility of building a legacy through love.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:19

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The Bucket List Summary

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The Bucket List Summary

The Bucket List Timeline

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The Bucket List Timeline

The Bucket List Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Bucket List Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Bucket List

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