Meet Joe Black (1998)

Captivating commentary on love, life and death

Released in November 1998, "Meet Joe Black" is a re-imagining of the 1934 film "Death Takes a Holiday" (which I've never seen).

THE STORY: The Grim Reaper (or Angel of Death) comes to take billionaire industrialist Bill Parrish (Anthony Hopkins) but instead decides to take a holiday in the corporeal universe by possessing the body of a young man who just recently died (Brad Pitt). Death's deal with Parrish is that, as long as he's entertained, he'll delay Bill's death. Mr. Death emerges as a mysterious stranger (known as 'Joe Black') with child-like qualities. Death's holiday is complicated when he falls in love with Parrish's daughter (Claire Forlani).

This film is 3 hours long but is so captivating that it feels shorter than most 90-minute mindless action flicks. The plot is reminiscent of other good "fish out of water" stories like Spock in Star Trek, etc. Yes, it's outlandish but the film expertly presents the bizarre situation in a totally believable manner. In other words, this is indeed a serious drama, which nicely balances out the heavy moments with lighter (humorous) touches. I would compare it to "The Green Mile" which was another long drama with supernatural touches and wholly captivating.

Despite its outlandish premise, "Meet Joe Black" consistently offers profound insights to the most vital topics of the human experience -- love, life, death and numerous others (e.g. betrayal, hostility, comeuppance and the mysterious beyond).

One good example is when Parrish's son-in-law offers a definition of love to Joe Black (aka Mr. Death): To know the worst thing about someone and it's okay.

This is just one example; the film is filled with such insights.

"Meet Joe Black" cost $90 million to make and only made half of it back at the USA box office. Fortunately its gone on to garner an enthusiastic following over the past decade and rightly so 'cause this is a masterpiece of film-making. I consider myself a fairly manly man, but tears flowed through appoximately half of the 3 hour runtime. This is a sign of a potent and moving picture.

I can't explain why "Meet Joe Black" initially (marginally) failed at the box office; perhaps it was the strange, nondescript title. All I know is that it's a travesty that silly drek like "Pirates of the Caribbean" makes gazillions of dollars and ultra-contrived films like "Crash" are hailed as masterpieces while true gems like "Joe Black" are basically passed over. The good thing is that time was on Joe Black's side. The word got out.

"Meet Joe Black" is the definition of why films are made.

Personal Rating: A November 4, 2008

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

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