Meet Joe Black
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Movie Reviews of Meet Joe Black
Movie Review: AWESOME fantasy from beginning to end!
Summary: 5 Stars
Some people think this movie is a "chick flick", but the film will appeal to anyone who's ever been in love or fantasized about it and is willing to let their imagination run free. Those who expect the scenes to depict real people and need to have everything add up and make sense may have a problem with the movie.Imagine from Susan's perspective... you get up in the morning, look out at the Husdon, then join your super wealthy father in his helicopter leaving his fabulous country estate and fly off to Manhattan. On the way, your father tells you what to look for in a mate and that passion is the most important part of a relationship. You are told to keep an open mind and look for lightening to strike. Never mind the hot shot boy friend you have that is likely to assume the reigns of his company. Look for someone who'll love you like crazy.
On your way to work as a doctor in a hospital you stop for coffee and meet an amazing, energetic, charming, young man who flatters you, asks for your opinion, and really listens to what you have to say. He indicates that he is looking for a girlfriend and that he's a faithful one-girl type of guy. He talks about his future dreams providing for a wife and family and wanting to get them whatever they need. The meeting ends with no exchange of names or telephone numbers, just regret that no follow up meeting is planned.
That evening who should show up at Dad's Manhattan Penthouse palace for dinner but the stranger from the coffee shop. You find out he's there to help out your father but know little else about him except that his name is Joe. After dinner while swimming in the luxurious penthouse pool overlooking Central Park, Joe comes by with a spoonful of peanut butter and says he would like to be friends. He indicates that he's been so busy with his work that hasn't taken time for romance. Susan relates completely. Joe seems so innocent, vulnerable, and sensitive. He is articulate, intelligent, and has the awesome good looks of Brad Pitt at his best. Who cares that he's still a stranger?
The next day he shows up at the hospital just to "visit" and watch her work. That night at dinner they "click". The following couple days the romance is underway and finally builds to where they have the most beautiful romantic interlude by the Penthouse pool. There is sensitivity, passion, tenderness, and a background score that reflects every emotion.
Finally there is an exquisite party for dad's 65th birthday at his country estate. Susan is gorgeous as she arrives by limo dressed in a shimmering silver gray slinky gown that reveals her youthful beauty. She meets Joe who is nothing short of debonaire in his crisp black tuxedo. There's an enormous beautifully decorated cake and fireworks over the Hudson river. Everything is wonderful except that she still doesn't know much about Joe. He has previously revealed little except that he isn't married, has no girlfriend and isn't gay. Then you find that the fantasy may be ending because Joe has to be leaving that night. Again you don't know if you'll ever meet again...
How could anyone pass up a story like this? A truly enjoyable film with a beautiful music score by Thomas Newman. This movie has so much to think about it will still be on your mind for weeks after seeing it.
Movie Review: Wonderful ROMANTIC FANTASY!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you like movies like "Somewhere in Time" (also by Universal) you'll love the intensity and beauty of this masterpiece. It has a pace that allows you to appreciate the dialog between characters and pick up on the humorous banter sprinkled throughout the movie.Overall this is a feel good movie. Along the way, you feel almost every kind of emotion possible: fear, mystery, sadness, romance, humor, celebration.
Even though it's a fantasy, it does present a storyline having several sources of conflict. The story isn't necessarily meant to be realistic, but builds on the theme that death is experiencing several aspects of human life. Some of it wonderful and some of it not so great.
There are plenty of details that may not seem realistic or likely. The story is best enjoyed if you appreciate what is done well (which most of it is) and not dismiss the movie for what may be lacking.
Some viewers may be expecting a movie about dying and afterlife. However, that's not the focus in "Meet Joe Black". It's about death experiencing life while on vacation in a "borrowed body". The fact that Joe is death and only temporarily in Susan's life is what makes for the main plot and conflict. Bill must not reveal Joe's identity or all bets are off.
Brad Pitt's portrayal of Joe (as death) having several first time life experiences is what makes the story special.
The movie starts out a little slow with bits of the story coming together. After meeting Joe Black, the story unfolds. As the movie gets closer to the end there are some interesting twists to the story that make it hilarious (Hopkins and Pitt do a great comedy routine!), but also presents a powerful conflict between the two.
When Joe meets Bill he is concerned if he "blends in". For a few days, it's obvious that he doesn't blend in all that well. He learns quickly that imitating others is the way to go even if it's out of place at times. This keeps the movie entertaining. He also interprets everything literally so some of his quips come out quite funny. Later on in the movie, he takes a question literally but turns it into something beautiful. Susan asks him to tell her that he loves her now. He responds with, "I love you now... I'll love you always". WOW! A lovely scene and intensly romantic.
The music in this movie is great. It alone makes the movie worth 3 stars. The acting is intense. Forlani is wonderful as Susan and Hopkins delivers a sensational performance as her firm but loving father.
Brad Pitt has the most difficult part as death. How does anyone know what that character should act like? His emotions are diverse. Cold at first, then loving and romantic. Before the movie ends he's experiencing tears (of sadness and joy?) Some people commented that he was like a robot and his facial gestures were forced. I bought the who act as the way death might respond if put in this situation. Pitt's acting is full range: discomfort, joy, pleasure, anger, laughter, nice guy, tough guy, assertive, sensitive, shy, embarassed. This has got to be Brad Pitt's best acting yet. Job well done, Brad!
Movie Review: Best Movie I've seen since Titanic. I savored every minute!
Summary: 5 Stars
The cinematography is beautiful - I regret not seeing it in the theater. The movie pulled me into the story from the very beginning and had me totally immersed until the ending.People I know who've seen the movie either love it or hate it. Reviews are mixed, but they too are extremely positive or negative. Maybe the critics who gave it bad reviews focused too much on the 3 hour length and didn't consider that the movie used every minute to build the story lines.
I loved the concept and the fantasy that goes with it, but there were actually several conflicts occuring simultaneously that needed to be worked out before the movie ended. The scenes were very polished with so many gestures, expressions, subtle comments and details.
Although mostly a serious drama, there was plenty of comic relief mixed in to keep it light (mostly Joe's mannerisms and antics). Brad Pitt played the part of the character from the next world in a refreshing way. Someone who had been involved in taking many people from life to the "next place", but who had never experienced life's beauty, or wonderful, and painful experiences. He starts out being rather demading and when people treat him well, he becomes extremely polite and charming.
Very interesting seeing "Joe" not quite used to having having a human body and experiencing so many little things for the first time. He enjoyed the experience yet maintained his authority when called for (pointing out that he was ultimately in control of the situation). He also showed appreciation to others for things that humans typically take for granted. While everyone else is taking the situation so seriously, Joe is constantly lighting up the screen with that "killer" smile of his. He is either extremely happy to be part of life and pursuing Bill's daughter or he's just very confident knowing he holds the cards in the game of Bill's future.
One of the most beautiful scenes was the love scene by the pool. So much emotion and tenderness... it felt like a first time experience.
For me the movie was a great way to accept death and the death of loved ones. It emphasized what a wonder world it is. If you've had passion in your life and made the most of it, you will eventually find that letting go is not so difficult.
The movie was filled with drama, but had very positive messages and a wonderful ending. Many people who have seen the movie "got it". Those who didn't like it unfortunately didn't like the message or just lost interest in the topic. I question why they selected this movie if they knew the storyline.
Anthony Hopkins is excellent, as usual. It was Pitt who surprised me -- I have not seen his films before, but now I want to check out some more. Still wish I had the chance to see the breathtaking photography on the big screen!
This is my favorite DVD. I loved the music so much I got the sound track on CD too. ---> Skye
Movie Review: Outstanding movie - Brad Pitt is AWESOME!
Summary: 5 Stars
The photography is excellent and the soundtrack is absolutely beautiful on this 3 hour DVD. It's a highly emotional romantic drama, but also has it's humorous moments, thanks to Brad Pitt's style of delivery. I've read that this is the most expensive non-special effects movie ever made. The scenes are set in lavish surroundings at the country estate and the Manhattan penthouse. According to the comments on the DVD by cast and director, over one hundred takes went into some of the scenes and the fireworks display was shot over a period of a week - so lots of bucks up in smoke - but the result is amazing! I wish more movies were made with such polish and attention to detail.
The movie starts out chatty like any other movie, but then when Joe Black is introduced, the dialog becomes minimal and body language, eyes, and facial gestures are used to convey what is not spoken. It's an interesting style that allows the music to have more impact rather than compete with dialog. It gives you time to absorb more of the scene -- you actually feel the emotion being conveyed. A passive viewer may not appreciate this approach, but it definitely adds to the intrigue and mystery of the story. Some questions that are proposed to Joe (Death) are not aswered and the viewer must speculate as to an appropriate response.
Hopkins is sensational as he executes a smooth performance. Claire Forlani is beautifully sensuous and intelligent with such an emotional performance.
Then there's Brad Pitt... A departure from his past acting roles, (which have been highly regarded) -- usually some sort of violent or despicable character. Here, Brad plays a well spoken, sophisticated well groomed character who could charm anyone with his manner. He has a soft-spoken style that is occasionally displaced with a more assertive voice when he reassures Bill that he is in control of his situation. His verbal interaction is even more terse than the other actors. Often times intiating or responding to questions with a single word. It keeps the mystery going with so much left unsaid. His initial introduction to Bill (Hopkins) is cold and terrifying. He looks like "a kid in a suit" as Hopkins puts it. But "Joe" makes it clear that "nothing is negotiable". The way Pitt says it is frightening. Throughout the rest of the movie, the romance with Susan builds and the intensity between these two (Pitt and Forlani) is incredible. This aspect of Pitt's acting should be exposed more often in movies! He projects a sensitive, tender, and loving character... also a little embarrased and shy. So much for that bad boy image, Brad!
Movie Review: Captivating commentary on love, life and death
Summary: 5 Stars
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 (i.e. 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 with child-like qualities known as 'Joe Black.' His "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 1/3 of the 3-hour runtime. This is a sign of a potent and moving picture.
I can't explain why "Meet Joe Black" initially failed at the box office; perhaps it was the nondescript title. All I know is that it's a travesty that silly drek like "Pirates of the Caribbean" makes gazillions of dollars and garbage like "American Beauty" 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