Meet Joe Black - Death is not that bad =) (Meet Joe Black (DVD))

Member Name: timci55

Product:	Meet Joe Black (DVD)
Date:	24/08/09 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Interesting idea, great performances

Disadvantages: Bit too long, slightly halting

Long, strange film, that gets very romantic, especially towards the end. Not many guys would enjoy it all the way through because of its emotional tinge, and halting, slowly developing style. Still, it is worth watching once, because it is thought-provoking, and the cast is really good.
The film begins with Bill Parish (Anthony Hopkins) having a conversation with Death, that he considers hallucinations. Death indicating the fact that Bill soon will be escorted to the afterlife.
After the shock, Bill gives his favourite, younger daughter, Susan (Claire Forlani) the advice of living her life with passion. Bill is not very impressed with her current relationship, since her fiancée, Drew (Jake Weber) is not very affectionate, in fact, he is more passionate about business and Bill's corporation, than Susan.
Shortly after her father's advice, Susan happens to meet a young man (Brad Pitt), who she immediately falls in love with. It seems that the feeling is mutual, but right after their parting the young man dies. Death takes over the young man's body to discover the world and gather experiences. In order to do so, he returns to Bill's home first, to make a deal with Bill, asking him to be his guide on Earth, in return for a delay.
Death moves in the house, and soon enough, Bill's family-, and business-life will be upside down...
There are interesting, unexpected turns in the film, and the idea that the story is based on is quite unusual itself.
I think it is a good film, however, ladies will probably enjoy it more.
Marcia Gay Harden and Jeffrey Tambor also star as Bill's older daughter, Allison, and her husband.

Summary: Romantic drama based on a bold, strange idea, directed by Martin Brest and Alan Smithee.