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MEET JOE BLACK (PG-13) 

Reviewed November 13, 1998 - Check out the Meet Joe Black Website.

Meet Joe Black is a film that's absolute fantasy.  A remake of Death Takes a Holiday, the film stars Brad Pitt as Death (a.k.a. Joe Black), who has come to take wealthy business tycoon Bill Parrish (Anthony Hopkins) into the afterlife.  Before taking Parrish away, however, Joe decides he wants to experience "life" a bit first, and strikes a deal with Parrish.  In exchange for Parrish's guidance and instruction on living life, Joe will grant Parrish more time on Earth.  Time to tie up loose ends, time to spend with family...just plain old time.  It's an odd deal, but one that Parrish accepts.  Soon, Joe moves into Parrish's house, meets Parrish's family and business associates, and...unexpectedly...falls in love with Parrish's youngest daughter Susan (Claire Forlani).  See where this is going?

Directed by Martin Brest and running at about three hours in length, Meet Joe Black is admittedly one loooong movie, and I suspect that for many it will be too long to be considered tolerable.  Fair enough, and I don't blame you one bit.  Indeed, given the story it tells, it's hard to see why this movie couldn't have been done in two hours or less.  After having just seen all three hours of Meet Joe Black, however, I am going to turn right around and say that I forgive this film for its lengthiness.  Why?  Well, I guess because of the grace, texture, thoughtfulness, style and opulence of it all.  Yes, I am referring to the setpieces, photography, and overall "atmosphere" of the film, which was stunning.  But, I am also referring to some very rich and compelling performances by Hopkins, Forlani, and Pitt (as well as the film's supporting cast).  Hopkins in particular was an absolute joy to watch, turning in a masterful portrayal of a man literally looking death in the eye.  However, Forlani and Pitt also deserve credit for their performances, which were often simultaneously subtle and intense. 

The overall effect is a film that's both a pleasure to watch and experience.  With thoughtful handling of the themes of life, death, love and family, Meet Joe Black is a picture that carries its share of both substance and style, and at least for me, its three hour runtime was a relatively small price to pay.  There are many little nuggets of wisdom to be found in this story, and though for some its lengthiness simply signifies a number of slow (i.e., boring) spots, for me it offers something else: time to think about the issues and dilemmas the film raises, and time to appreciate how each of the characters in the film deals with those issues and dilemmas.  Not bad for a film with Death as the lead character... :-)

Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!

nhouse2531@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "i think the flim was wonderfull,it had such a great emotion, and of course i have the hotts for brat pitt thats what made the film.I thought the other actors were extremity good to,it also made me cry and it not very oftern i do that.The film is certionly worth 5 of 5 thanks alot nikki housexxxx" (9/6/99)

xaf3challk@ntu.ac.uk gives this movie  stars: "If you love Brad Pitt then you'll love this film. As well as playing a rather convincing 'Death' he looks absolutely stunning." (8/10/99)

peterjdavis@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I love this film, if anyone out there knows the UK video release date I'd be really grateful for it. " (7/16/99)

anonymous entry gives this movie  stars: "This was a great movie. At the end, I didn't know whether to be happy or sad. That is the #1 characteristic of a great movie." (7/3/99)

Kalibunker@yahoo.com gives this movie  stars: "This is one of the best movies I've seen this year. Was it three hours long? I was so enthralled in the thing I don't ever recall wondering what time it was. The huge surprise was not Pitt, (he still needs more time to "grow", however, I dare say this is his best film yet. The huge surprise was Forlani. Her acting was superb! I would say she was the perfect match to Hopkins. Overall this film was wonderful. I admit I cried--and I'm a guy." (6/13/99)

Johan P gives this movie  stars: "I love this movie, it grows with time. That's the most intelligent review I can come up with :)" (6/10/99)

Tracy gives this movie  stars: "This is the first movie that made me cry in a long time! I never liked Brad Pitt much, I thought he was just another pretty face w/out talent, but now I really respect his acting ability. They just don't make movies like this anymore. This movie is a definite buy and is going into my collections of classics. " (5/31/99)

Louise gives this movie  stars: "If 10 stars were available I'd give it 10. The length just made the pleasure of watching it last longer. The contrast in Pitt's portrayal of the young man at the Coffee shop and Joe Black was just one indicator of his acting talent, and the close up shots where Black reveals himself were overwhelmingly powerful emotionally." (5/7/99)

Anna gives this movie  stars: "The film is soooo fanastic, you will fall in love with Brad Pitt!!" (3/7/99)

roxana@brd.ro gives this movie  stars: "No comments. It is really very good." (2/26/99)

maarja@korel.ee gives this movie  stars. (2/17/99)

jlindeque@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars. (1/7/99)

anonymous entry gives this movie  stars. (12/21/98)