Meet Joe Black (1998)

Death and taxes.

Well, if you aren't touched at least 65 minutes into the film (the hospital scene), I don't know when it'll hit you. Wow. Great performances by Anthony Hopkins as Bill Parrish and Brad Pitt, as Joe (Death) Black. Claire Forlani couldn't have been better cast for her part as Susan (Bill's daughter); a doctor in the hospital in which Joe makes an unscheduled visit. There's also a very touching scene between Bill (speaking of his late wife) and Joe, over a cold lamb sandwich.

Jeffrey Tambor as Quince, and Marcia Gay Harden as Allison ("throwing the Birthday Party of the Century" - for her Dad, Bill) lend great support to this story of a man's soon-to-be demise from the world. And Jake Weber as Drew, the long-suffering boyfriend of Susan (and also the back-stabbing business partner of Bill), who really takes a mental pounding from Joe; which at times is hilarious. The second dinner scene with a slight confrontation between Drew and Joe may leave you in stitches.

Thought-provoking lessons in living one's life to the fullest, by not taking for granted the little things we ignore while trying to go about "making a living" instead of "living life." Okay, that was corny, but I had to say it. And don't forget your appreciation of peanut butter(?). Of course, you'll have to get used to "Death" kissing Susan. "Thank You" - "You're Welcome."

Love, friendship, family, trust, relations, allegiances. We should all go out in style, like Bill. And Mr. Joe Black was really an agent from the IRS. What a great movie. What an ending. "No Regrets" September 18, 2008

Great job!

The dealer sent it to me before they said it would and I love the movie. September 6, 2008

I simply adore this movie!!!

What a movie! What dialogue! What superb writing and execution of a lovely story.
Truly a movie of just magic. Brad Pitt is so convincing and seriously one of his best roles ever.
Anthony Hopkins and the actress who plays Susan... remarkable to say the least.
The most beautiful movie in the world...
August 29, 2008

A Great Movie

This is a film that is driven by dialogue and suspense. If you watch it you will be moved and fascinated by the idea of death. By the film's end there is without a doubt a connection between WIll Parrish that will leave the audience wanting Will to live. A truly sad and beautiful movie. July 30, 2008

Destiny visits Mr. Parrish

Meet Joe Black is an outstanding movie. At first it promises to be a spectral thriller, but quickly counters as a dramatic romance. It is a poignant look at what a life well lived is, and should remind us all to live with no regrets. Starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, and Claire Forlani, Meet Joe Black is a must see movie, even if you don't keep it in your DVD collection.
I do not have the life Bill (Anthony Hopkins) portrays. However, he lives Everyman's dream. We all want to be surrounded by those we love. We crave power. We desire fortune and comfort and struggle to attain it at every venture. Hopkins however gives a wisdom to the role of this dream. Bill is the benefactor we all need, the father most of us wish to be and the oracle for a life well lived. Bill is confronted by death.
Death is selfish, smooth, and at times very cruel. Heartless and cold, Death's one desire is to "live" like Hopkins' character does. Joe (Brad Pitt) is gallant, charming, and perfectly suited to the role. When we first meet him, Joe is an ordinary man with extraordinary dreams. He soon however becomes Death's puppet, and is inhabited by the entity of the dark spectre. As Death, he disrupts everything he can about the harmony surrounding Bill's life. He even steals Susan's heart. Bill cannot stand the thought of his daughter loving Death.
Susan (Claire Forlani) is beautiful, smart, and dreamy. She aspires to be her father's daughter and shuffles after his number one assistant in a loveless pursuit of marriage. Bill sees this and warns his daughter to settle for nothing less than "floating, dancing a dervish, swept away by desire and passion, with a little time to remember me." Soon after he render's this advice, lightening strikes and Susan meets Joe. Joe echoes Bill's words sending Susan into a dizzying head over heels infatuation with him, just before Death takes his body.
In the end, the three primaries create a paradoxical balance which leads to an inevitable ending, which can only be described as magical. Though I love Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt, I will always adore Claire Forlani's performance. She is at the center of impossible circumstances and inspires every girl to dream of that one love which surprises you. Hopkins completely compliments her as a devoted father. Just about any young handsome leading man could have played Brad Pitt's role, but it was done well enough by Pitt. All in all, this movie was remarkable.
May 18, 2008

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