Description: Bill Parrish (Anthony Hopkins) has it all - success, wealth and power. Days before his 65th birthday, he receives a visit from a mysterious stranger, Joe Black (Brad Pitt), who soon reveals himself as Death. In exchange for extra time, Bill agrees to serve as Joe's earthly guide. But will he regret his choice when Joe unexpectedly falls in love with Bill's beautiful daughter Susan (Claire Forlani).
Amazon.com essential video: Meet Joe Black seemed almost fated to fail when it was released in 1998, but this romantic fantasy--a remake of 1934's Death Takes a Holiday--deserves a chance at life after box-office death. Although many moviegoers were turned off by director Martin Brest's overindulgent three-hour running time, those who gear into its deliberate pace will find that Meet Joe Black offers ample reward for your attention.
Brad Pitt plays Death with a capital D, enjoying some time on Earth by inhabiting the body of a young man who'd been killed in a shockingly sudden pedestrian-auto impact. Before long, Death has ingratiated himself with a wealthy industrialist (Anthony Hopkins) and pursues romance with the man's beautiful daughter (newcomer Claire Forlani), whom he'd briefly encountered while still an earthbound human. Under the assumed identity of "Joe Black," he samples all the pleasures that corporeal life has to offer--power, romance, sex, and such enticing pleasures as peanut butter by the spoonful.
But Death has a job to do, and Meet Joe Black addresses the heart-wrenching dilemma that arises when either father or daughter (the plot keeps us guessing) must confront his or her inevitable demise. The film takes its own sweet time to establish this emotional crisis and the love that binds Hopkins's semidysfunctional family so closely together. But if you've stuck with the story this far, you may find yourself surprisingly affected. And if Meet Joe Black has really won you over, you'll more than appreciate the care and affection that gives the film a depth and richness that so many critics chose to ignore. --Jeff Shannon
Amazon.com: Meet Joe Black seemed almost fated to fail when it was released in 1998, but this romantic fantasy--a remake of 1934's Death Takes a Holiday--deserves a chance at life after box-office death. Although many moviegoers were turned off by director Martin Brest's overindulgent three-hour running time, those who gear into its deliberate pace will find that Meet Joe Black offers ample reward for your attention. Brad Pitt plays Death with a capital D, enjoying some time on Earth by inhabiting the body of a young man who'd been killed in a shockingly sudden pedestrian-auto impact. Before long, Death has ingratiated himself with a wealthy industrialist (Anthony Hopkins) and pursues romance with the man's beautiful daughter (newcomer Claire Forlani), whom he'd briefly encountered while still an earthbound human. Under the assumed identity of "Joe Black," he samples all the pleasures that corporeal life has to offer--power, romance, sex, and such enticing pleasures as peanut butter by the spoonful. But Death has a job to do, and Meet Joe Black addresses the heart-wrenching dilemma that arises when either father or daughter (the plot keeps us guessing) must confront his or her inevitable demise. The film takes its own sweet time to establish this emotional crisis and the love that binds Hopkins's semidysfunctional family so closely together. But if you've stuck with the story this far, you may find yourself surprisingly affected. And if Meet Joe Black has really won you over, you'll more than appreciate the care and affection that gives the film a depth and richness that so many critics chose to ignore. --Jeff Shannon
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"
Great job! The dealer sent it to me before they said it would and I love the movie.
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...
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.
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.
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