Craig Daily Press

Biking along the Great Wall of China, an inside tour of the Taj Mahal and driving a Shelby Mustang at top speed: The combination of these endeavors can only be seen in “The Bucket List.”

Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) and Carter Chambers (Mor­gan Freeman) are two very different men. Edward is a self-involved multi-millionaire with four divorces under his belt, whereas Carter is a family man mechanic with a proclivity for trivia.

The common denominator that brings them together is that both are suffering from terminal cancer. Sharing a hospital room for weeks at a time forces the two of them to strike up a friendship, though begrudgingly at first.

As they learn more about each other, Carter introduces Edward to the idea of the “bucket list”; an inventory of goals that the list’s writer hopes to accomplish before they kick the bucket.

Although Carter only makes his list in order to come to terms with his mortality, Edward is gung-ho about completing every activity on the paper. He offers to bankroll the adventure if Carter will accompany him. Although the lengthy expedition does not sit well with Carter’s wife (Beverly Todd), the two men set off to live their dreams.

Nicholson has given some fine dramatic performances in his time, but this is not one of his better ones.

As the more rough-hewn of the duo, he rarely comes across with the kind of intensity that the character needs, which is unusual for an actor who is famous for playing loose cannons.

Freeman’s approach yields a much better payoff, making Carter more believable in his reactions to his own imminent death and his new buddy’s philosophies concerning life, love and most importantly, coffee. As Edward’s oft-berated assistant Thomas, Sean Hayes must have had to ingest a double dose of Ritalin to (unsuccessfully) come across as the droll subordinate.

The movie’s painfully obvious motive is to evoke a lachrymose response from its patrons, and although there are a few scenes that tug at the heartstrings slightly, the story is just not convincing enough to leave everyone bawling.

For one thing, as the two gents make their way around the globe taking in the sites (which are the real stars, from the African plains to the Hong Kong skyline) and drinking deep from the cup of life, rarely do their afflictions prevent them from participating in strenuous activities. Director Rob Reiner could have compensated for these holes in Justin Zackham’s script, but seems convinced that no one will mind.

Unfortunately, those hoping for a credible story will mind very much.

Although well-intentioned and occasionally admirable, “The Bucket List” most likely will not be at the top of anyone’s list of must-see movies.