Meet Joe Black, is a film, that poses a question. Why does a studio make a movie that is three hours long? There are many that are disappointing. Cleopatra comes to mind. There are some that are critical and financial successes. Ben-Hur comes to mind. Meet Joe Black, is a remake of Death Takes a Holiday. It illustrates why remakes aren’t always successful. The other is that most movies, like this one, should run no longer than two hours. A movie like Meet Joe Black, serves to only extend work, to the film editors.
This film stars two of the biggest stars, of the nineties, in Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins. Pitt plays the title character, and Hopkins plays William Parrish, media mogul. These two movie stars, cannot jumpstart this film. Even when they have dialogues together; and that’s half the film, it doesn’t work. A bright spot in it is Claire Forlani, as Susan Parrish. Susan is the light in the darkness of William Parrish’s cutthroat corporate world. Marcia Gay Harden is Allison Parrish, the other daughter. Harden’s character is mainly a party planner in the film. Allison is planning a birthday bash, for her father’s 65 years on earth. Allison’s other duty is putting up with her husband Quince, (Jeffrey Tambor), a filled seat on the board.
The premise of Meet Joe Black, is that death, Brad Pitt, wants a vacation, from being The Grim Reaper. He makes a deal with William Parrish. He won’t take him, as long as Parrish, can help him experience life. Joe Black is the assumed identity of death. He’s claimed the body of one of his victims. The victim was a charming man, in a coffee shop. He had a brief conversation with Susan Parrish, before being struck by two cars. Black experiences the little things in life, like peanut butter. He also gets to sit in on board meetings. This causes major problems in Parrish’s company, because William Parrish won’t reveal his relationship with Joe Black.
Joe Black experiences life with William Parrish as his guide. The one thing that Parrish can’t show him is love. The Angel of Death finds this on his own. It is the daughter of his guide through life, Susan. Brad Pitt and Claire Forlani shine in their scenes, together Their character’s relationship is discovered by William Parrish. It is the best scene between Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins. Hopkins is flush with anger, when Pitt doesn’t understand what problem exists with the relationship.
While Joe Black and Susan Parrish are falling in love, a hostile takeover is taking place. Drew, (Jake Weber) William Parrish’s confidante, is upset that Joe Black has replaced him. He has been shoved out of his position, and dumped by Susan for the title character. It is because of his bitterness and greed, that he engineers a takeover. Weber does play a weakly character well. It makes him the worst type of villain. He is the type who hides in plain sight. Parrish is almost relieved, but gets his company back in a conference call later. He gives the board the story, that Joe is an undercover IRS agent.
The one thing that gives the viewer of this movie satisfaction, is the birthday party/send off. It is an all day affair, seeming like a wake in reverse. The climax is when fireworks are set off, and William Parrish and death cross a bridge. Brad Pitt walks back to the party, and greets Susan. This time, he is not Joe Black, but the charming man, she met in the coffee shop in the beginning.
Meet Joe Black has an identity crisis. The creative minds involved with this film, were indecisive. The film waffles between romance and heavy drama. Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins could handle either; particularly Hopkins, but it is an unconquerable goal, to have them muddled in both. This film shouldn’t be at the top of anyone’s list, unless they can’t find another way to spend three hours.