Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageMeet Joe Black (1998)
Director: Martin Brest
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
On the eve of his 65th birthday, media magnate William Parrish (Hopkins) feels heart tremors giving him notice to quit. In the meantime, he tells daughter Susan (Forlani) that her fiancé, his right-hand man Drew (Weber), is not quite right for her, which she too realises when sparks fly with a complete stranger in a New York café. After they part, she fails to notice him being run over and killed; even so, she's still surprised when he turns up at her father's house for dinner. In fact, Death (Pitt) has arrived in town for a look around. He's using the young man's body and has chosen Hopkins as his guide. Four writers have adapted Mitchell Leisen's 1934 film Death Takes a Holiday and spun it out to three hours. The result is seductively luxurious, with Hopkins bringing authority to his portrait of a man facing his end, and Pitt teasingly enigmatic as the force of mortality in human guise. But the drama's various elements - fantasy thriller, romantic fable, corporate shoot-out, family reconciliation - fail to pull together, and the interminable finale is simply soft in the head.Author: TJ
User reviews of this film
-
- Sukie said...
- Posted on Jan 19 2011 19:31 This was just about the slowest film I've ever watched. The interiors were beautiful and that's the only good thing I've got to say for it and I'm a big fan of Sir Anthony Hopkins.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Sarah said...
- Posted on May 29 2009 15:44 Touchingly deep, an unforgetable film of great meaning. I think this film shows off Pitt's talent of understanding and exploring the non-existing boundries of acting. Hats of to Hopkins.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- michael said...
- Posted on Dec 07 2008 14:09 brilliant and touching. artistically/ poetically crafted.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Mick Sawyer said...
- Posted on May 05 2008 22:43 A truly magnificence performance from both Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt.
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Martin Brest
Producer: Martin Brest
Cast: Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Claire Forlani, Jake Weber, Marcia Gay Harden full cast
Duration: 181 mins
Top Stories
Ben Drew aka Plan B interview
The singer, rapper and now film director discusses his debut film 'Ill Manors'
Cannes Film Festival 2012: final round-up
Dave Calhoun draws the curtain on the world's greatest film festival
Ridley Scott interview
Director Ridley Scott tells Cath Clarke why he's making a science fiction comeback
What do you think?
Post your review now