Reviews (353)

A Masterpiece...
Bill Parrish ( Anthony Hopkins) is a media tycoon who is about to celebreate his 65th birthday. Unfortunately, it is also his time to die as well, because Death ( Brad Pitt) decides to pay Bill a visit. Bill manages to make a deal with Death to keep him alive a little bit longer, in exchange for teaching him what it is like to be human. Things become complicated however, when Death not only takes up an interest in life, but in Bill's beautiful daughter Susan ( Claire Forlani) as well.

For some reason "Meet Joe Black" has received mixed reviews from critics and moviegoers. In my opinion, this remake of the 1934 film "Death Takes a Holiday" was one of the best films I have seen in quite some time. The movie has gained a reputation for being long and drawn out because it is 3 hours long. I did not find the film to be drawn out at all, and time flew by for me when watching this film. Brad Pitt is actually a very good actor and shows it in this film. Pitt accurately portrayed how Death would react to the world around him with his endless curiousity and naive behavior. The scene where Death discovers peanut butter for the first time is priceless!! Anthony Hopkins was great as usual, and turns in another oscar worthy performance as Bill Parrish. You come to legitimately feel for his character because you know that it is only a matter of time before the inevitable is coming. The thing that impressed me most about the film, was that the romantic story between Death and Claire Forlani's character Susan is extremely well done, despite the gloom setting that Death's presence brings. I also highly recommend picking up the soundtrack to this film. The musical score used was outstanding.

The only piece of advice I can give with this film, is to ignore its reputation and give it a shot. Overall, "Meet Joe Black" is a captivating and touching film with great performances given from the actors and an incredible soundtrack.

A solid 5 stars...

What a range of acting by Brad Pitt!
OK, the guy has played some weird roles in some rather bad movies -- but he's always played them well. This movie takes full advantage of Pitt's talent by having him play the nice guy, tough guy, intelligent, sensitive, compassionate and romantic. There are scenes where he is actually funny even though it's presented in a subtle way. I found myself laughing out loud several times and couldn't believe I was watching a movie about death! So now Brad is playing his best role ever in a great movie and the critics seemed to pan the movie anyway.

Hopkins and Forlani are also excellent in their roles. Hopkins gives a wonderful performance as a loving father and powerful business man faced with death, but having to hide it from his family. Claire Forlani plays the part of his beautiful and intelligent daughter so well. She's constantly probing into Joe's situation to find out why he is living in her father's house meanwhile falling in love with this stranger and teaching Joe about love (something that is obviously new to him).

The contrast between Pitt, the lawyer in the coffee shop and Pitt as Joe is fascinating. The guy in the coffee shop is opimistic, fun, lively and a great conversationalist. He smiles and laughs easily making Susan extremely attracted to him. Pitt as death (Joe) is quite different even though he looks the same. Joe is quiet, serious, mysterious, and somewhat clueless about people. As time goes on, Joe becomes more comfortable and Susan gets him to smile after his first kiss and he get a "week feeling" in his knees. The love scene is beautifully done and shows Susan undressing Joe. They get to the point where he can't get his shirt off all the way and he has this huge grin looking at Susan. I loved that part!

There is a lot of conflict in this movie too. Many of the characters have personal issues to work out. It seems like a simple story but actually has several stories being told.

Death at its finest
I do believe this is one of the rare movies that every member of the cast gave a stellar performace. But applause must go to Pitt for his portrayal as both Death and the human Joe Black. The subtle changes in his character was performed masterfully. Forlani did well as the youngest daughter of the media mogul Parish, going from daddy's little girl to seductress. But besides it, this movie also raises some deeper issues, like highlighting the small things we take for granted in our everyday life. Do make an effort to watch it, you'll find yourself profoundly touched by it.

One of the best of all times
Meet Joe Black is one of my favourite movie of all times, I think it is also one of the best movie of all times. I remember the first time I saw it in the theatre; I was taking a break in the middle of my projects with hardly any sleep for days. I did not realise that is was a 3 hr movie and I did not fall asleep. The opening scene with Anthony Hopkin just captivated me within the first 5 mins of the movie. Since then, I have watched it over 5 times, each time with new discovery in the wonderfully written script about love, death, and life; how a perfect gentle, who I think has everything, still cannot escape mortality, and how this fear has been transformed into courage. The movie had many wonderful moments, one of which when Hopkin with Forlani in the helicopter talking about love like "when lightning strike", also a moving scene when Bill's (Hopkins charactor) less favourite daughter told the father that it is alright as everyone is allowed to have a favourite, it is OK as long as she feels loved. I strongly recommend anyone to watch the movie for yourself and not listening to the negative reviews from the "critics" as most of the time, they are wrong.

GREAT- MUST SEE!
I never liked Brad Pitt in his movies, so when my neighbor told me to watch it, I was hesitant. I thought it was going to be really dumb. I watched it anyway and have found a great movie! Brad Pitt was awesome! I couldn't believe it. This movie is worth it's weight in gold. (or at least the 12-20 bucks most places are asking for it!) If you haven't seen this you have got to! The lines are perfect, they all fit together, and there is enough comedy, romance, mystery, etc ,etc to keep it from being too sad. In the end, it is happy so for those of you who don't like sad movies - DON'T WORRY ABOUT THIS ONE, IT IS GREAT! ... Read more

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 ... Read more

Reviews (353)

A Masterpiece...
Bill Parrish ( Anthony Hopkins) is a media tycoon who is about to celebreate his 65th birthday. Unfortunately, it is also his time to die as well, because Death ( Brad Pitt) decides to pay Bill a visit. Bill manages to make a deal with Death to keep him alive a little bit longer, in exchange for teaching him what it is like to be human. Things become complicated however, when Death not only takes up an interest in life, but in Bill's beautiful daughter Susan ( Claire Forlani) as well.

For some reason "Meet Joe Black" has received mixed reviews from critics and moviegoers. In my opinion, this remake of the 1934 film "Death Takes a Holiday" was one of the best films I have seen in quite some time. The movie has gained a reputation for being long and drawn out because it is 3 hours long. I did not find the film to be drawn out at all, and time flew by for me when watching this film. Brad Pitt is actually a very good actor and shows it in this film. Pitt accurately portrayed how Death would react to the world around him with his endless curiousity and naive behavior. The scene where Death discovers peanut butter for the first time is priceless!! Anthony Hopkins was great as usual, and turns in another oscar worthy performance as Bill Parrish. You come to legitimately feel for his character because you know that it is only a matter of time before the inevitable is coming. The thing that impressed me most about the film, was that the romantic story between Death and Claire Forlani's character Susan is extremely well done, despite the gloom setting that Death's presence brings. I also highly recommend picking up the soundtrack to this film. The musical score used was outstanding.

The only piece of advice I can give with this film, is to ignore its reputation and give it a shot. Overall, "Meet Joe Black" is a captivating and touching film with great performances given from the actors and an incredible soundtrack.

A solid 5 stars...

What a range of acting by Brad Pitt!
OK, the guy has played some weird roles in some rather bad movies -- but he's always played them well. This movie takes full advantage of Pitt's talent by having him play the nice guy, tough guy, intelligent, sensitive, compassionate and romantic. There are scenes where he is actually funny even though it's presented in a subtle way. I found myself laughing out loud several times and couldn't believe I was watching a movie about death! So now Brad is playing his best role ever in a great movie and the critics seemed to pan the movie anyway.

Hopkins and Forlani are also excellent in their roles. Hopkins gives a wonderful performance as a loving father and powerful business man faced with death, but having to hide it from his family. Claire Forlani plays the part of his beautiful and intelligent daughter so well. She's constantly probing into Joe's situation to find out why he is living in her father's house meanwhile falling in love with this stranger and teaching Joe about love (something that is obviously new to him).

The contrast between Pitt, the lawyer in the coffee shop and Pitt as Joe is fascinating. The guy in the coffee shop is opimistic, fun, lively and a great conversationalist. He smiles and laughs easily making Susan extremely attracted to him. Pitt as death (Joe) is quite different even though he looks the same. Joe is quiet, serious, mysterious, and somewhat clueless about people. As time goes on, Joe becomes more comfortable and Susan gets him to smile after his first kiss and he get a "week feeling" in his knees. The love scene is beautifully done and shows Susan undressing Joe. They get to the point where he can't get his shirt off all the way and he has this huge grin looking at Susan. I loved that part!

There is a lot of conflict in this movie too. Many of the characters have personal issues to work out. It seems like a simple story but actually has several stories being told.

Death at its finest
I do believe this is one of the rare movies that every member of the cast gave a stellar performace. But applause must go to Pitt for his portrayal as both Death and the human Joe Black. The subtle changes in his character was performed masterfully. Forlani did well as the youngest daughter of the media mogul Parish, going from daddy's little girl to seductress. But besides it, this movie also raises some deeper issues, like highlighting the small things we take for granted in our everyday life. Do make an effort to watch it, you'll find yourself profoundly touched by it.

One of the best of all times
Meet Joe Black is one of my favourite movie of all times, I think it is also one of the best movie of all times. I remember the first time I saw it in the theatre; I was taking a break in the middle of my projects with hardly any sleep for days. I did not realise that is was a 3 hr movie and I did not fall asleep. The opening scene with Anthony Hopkin just captivated me within the first 5 mins of the movie. Since then, I have watched it over 5 times, each time with new discovery in the wonderfully written script about love, death, and life; how a perfect gentle, who I think has everything, still cannot escape mortality, and how this fear has been transformed into courage. The movie had many wonderful moments, one of which when Hopkin with Forlani in the helicopter talking about love like "when lightning strike", also a moving scene when Bill's (Hopkins charactor) less favourite daughter told the father that it is alright as everyone is allowed to have a favourite, it is OK as long as she feels loved. I strongly recommend anyone to watch the movie for yourself and not listening to the negative reviews from the "critics" as most of the time, they are wrong.

GREAT- MUST SEE!
I never liked Brad Pitt in his movies, so when my neighbor told me to watch it, I was hesitant. I thought it was going to be really dumb. I watched it anyway and have found a great movie! Brad Pitt was awesome! I couldn't believe it. This movie is worth it's weight in gold. (or at least the 12-20 bucks most places are asking for it!) If you haven't seen this you have got to! The lines are perfect, they all fit together, and there is enough comedy, romance, mystery, etc ,etc to keep it from being too sad. In the end, it is happy so for those of you who don't like sad movies - DON'T WORRY ABOUT THIS ONE, IT IS GREAT! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

TWO GREAT ACTORS CAN MAKE INTERESTING A CONVENTIONAL MOVIE.
"Mr. And Mrs. Bridge" stars Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, playing a 1940 marriage. This is a conventional drama with excellent performances, the characters are nothing out of this world, they are a bunch of characters very similar to real life people, the story is not very original, it's just a bunch of rich people living a conventional life, but these two great actors carried on their shoulders the weight of an otherwise uninteresting movie, making "Mr. And Mrs. Bridge" an enjoyable movie.

Basically this is the story of the struggle between two generations, the iron hand discipline of a stiff father and the "rebellion" of his daughter and son who want to escape from the monotony of the life of their parents. And trapped in the middle is Mrs. Bridge, who even though she mostly obeys her husband, once in a while she likes to try new things to inject happiness to her life.

"Mr. And Mrs. Bridge" is an entertaining movie thanks to the performances of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.

Oh my God it's my Aunt Marjorie!
Anyone who is originally from the Midwest has a Mrs. Bridge in the family, maybe not as affluent, but just as dippy and helpless. Mrs. Bridge knows enough to resent vaguely her helplessness and the fact that Mr. Bridge makes all of her decisions for her. The viewer is sympathetic with her plight and starts to feel that Mr. Bridge is indeed being mean & unfair to her...but then Mrs. Bridge goes and does something that underscores her inability to cope for herself.

There were more scenes than I can count that just made me cringe, because I recognized my dippy Aunt Marjorie, again & again, in Mrs. Bridge. The spirit of Mrs. Bridge remains alive and well, even today.

This was a great character study of the two Bridges. The other members of the family, and some of the friends of the Bridges, are a bit fuzzier in their definition, but that is not all that important. This is a very engrossing movie in many respects.

2 thumbs up
If you are looking for violence, lots of sex and fast cars, wrong movie! But if you are looking for a thought provoking, tender, poignant and often funny story, you've hit the jackpot. I am running out of adjectives for my two favorite actors (Newman and Woodward ought to be declared America's royalty) They shine here. Much deserved Oscar nomination for Woodward and should have been one for Newman, who never ceases to amaze. Blythe Danner is a plus as well. I thouroughly enjoyed it.

A movie with memorable moments
This is one of those films with a lot of those "Memorable Moments" that you will remember years after viewing it. The scene where Mr. Bridge refuses to let a dangerous storm spoil his dinner. The hotel bedroom scene where Mr. and Mrs. Bridge find themselves sleeping akwardly in front of a mirror. The scene where Mr. Bridge takes Mrs. Bridge to a cabaret in France filled with scantily clad women doing the Can-Can and the priceless look that Mrs. Bridge has on her face.

It's about two traditional people thrust into a new world filled with free thinkers and sexual awakenings and the honest, but humerous reactions as they try to deal with it all. Everytime I watch this film I'm suprised at what I didn't catch before, and even the scenes I remember always seem to catch me off guard.

The humor comes from the humanity within the two main characters, and it's often more funny than the best comedies you will ever watch.

Highly recommended!

Newman and Woodward Equally Wonderful
I don't know why so many people always give short shrift to Paul Newman when he appears with his wife, Joanne Woodward, in a film. They are both stunning actors at the peak of their acting powers in this movie. There really is no need to compare and contrast perfection itself. Merchant-Ivory is wonderful at handling the upper classes, whether they be British or American, in London, or, in this case, Kansas City, in the 1930s and 1940s. What stands out most vividly to me is that Mr. Bridges' heart condition is really not treatable back then. We are so used to heart surgery now, that life lived with a heart condition back in the 1930s and 1940s is forgotten as being an entirely different situation. The movie is about this couple and their extended family and the crises they weather. This, however, is basically what every Merchant-Ivory film is about and this one covers every nuance within the Bridges' family's structure and behavior. I really love the beautiful body of film work by Merchant-Ivory and I'm really glad that some of it is American, set in our heartland, with the cream of our acting crop. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nicely done yet somewhat bleak story
A cruel man (Tommy Lee Jones) has a habit of furtively seeking "vengeance" on those he considers to have treated him unfairly, often burns their barns to conclude the feuds. His son Sarty (Shawn Whittington), roughly fifteen, is morally opposed to such actions but also desires his dad's acceptance. In the end, the lad must pick between his conscience and family. Which will it be? A nicely done yet somewhat bleak story based on the William Faulkner short. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

AN INTERESTING MOVIE
I SAW THIS MOVIE ON CABLE AND HAVE TO ADMIT IT'S PRETTY GOOD.IT'S INTENSE AND HILARIOUS AT THE SAME TIME AND ALL TOGETHER AN INTERESTING MOVIE.I ENJOY IT A LOT.GIVE THIS ONE A TRY, YOU'LL LOVE IT.

Very intense, cliff-hanger romantic personal adventure.
This movie is one of the most realistic dramas dealing with a serious disease and its effect on the protagonists' lives. Not only is it nail-biting suspense, it is an unusual kind of love story. (And you will DEFINITELY be surprised at the ending!!) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Both great movies!
These are both great movies. Meet Joe Black is a remake of an old film. This is a great story of love. It reminds you of the love that you have for life, family, friends and what loving and life are all about.

Far and Away is about two people and thier stake for land and a unique love for each other. I would definitly recomend buy both of these movies! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

TWO GREAT ACTORS CAN MAKE INTERESTING A CONVENTIONAL MOVIE.
"Mr. And Mrs. Bridge" stars Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, playing a 1940 marriage. This is a conventional drama with excellent performances, the characters are nothing out of this world, they are a bunch of characters very similar to real life people, the story is not very original, it's just a bunch of rich people living a conventional life, but these two great actors carried on their shoulders the weight of an otherwise uninteresting movie, making "Mr. And Mrs. Bridge" an enjoyable movie.

Basically this is the story of the struggle between two generations, the iron hand discipline of a stiff father and the "rebellion" of his daughter and son who want to escape from the monotony of the life of their parents. And trapped in the middle is Mrs. Bridge, who even though she mostly obeys her husband, once in a while she likes to try new things to inject happiness to her life.

"Mr. And Mrs. Bridge" is an entertaining movie thanks to the performances of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.

Oh my God it's my Aunt Marjorie!
Anyone who is originally from the Midwest has a Mrs. Bridge in the family, maybe not as affluent, but just as dippy and helpless. Mrs. Bridge knows enough to resent vaguely her helplessness and the fact that Mr. Bridge makes all of her decisions for her. The viewer is sympathetic with her plight and starts to feel that Mr. Bridge is indeed being mean & unfair to her...but then Mrs. Bridge goes and does something that underscores her inability to cope for herself.

There were more scenes than I can count that just made me cringe, because I recognized my dippy Aunt Marjorie, again & again, in Mrs. Bridge. The spirit of Mrs. Bridge remains alive and well, even today.

This was a great character study of the two Bridges. The other members of the family, and some of the friends of the Bridges, are a bit fuzzier in their definition, but that is not all that important. This is a very engrossing movie in many respects.

2 thumbs up
If you are looking for violence, lots of sex and fast cars, wrong movie! But if you are looking for a thought provoking, tender, poignant and often funny story, you've hit the jackpot. I am running out of adjectives for my two favorite actors (Newman and Woodward ought to be declared America's royalty) They shine here. Much deserved Oscar nomination for Woodward and should have been one for Newman, who never ceases to amaze. Blythe Danner is a plus as well. I thouroughly enjoyed it.

A movie with memorable moments
This is one of those films with a lot of those "Memorable Moments" that you will remember years after viewing it. The scene where Mr. Bridge refuses to let a dangerous storm spoil his dinner. The hotel bedroom scene where Mr. and Mrs. Bridge find themselves sleeping akwardly in front of a mirror. The scene where Mr. Bridge takes Mrs. Bridge to a cabaret in France filled with scantily clad women doing the Can-Can and the priceless look that Mrs. Bridge has on her face.

It's about two traditional people thrust into a new world filled with free thinkers and sexual awakenings and the honest, but humerous reactions as they try to deal with it all. Everytime I watch this film I'm suprised at what I didn't catch before, and even the scenes I remember always seem to catch me off guard.

The humor comes from the humanity within the two main characters, and it's often more funny than the best comedies you will ever watch.

Highly recommended!

Newman and Woodward Equally Wonderful
I don't know why so many people always give short shrift to Paul Newman when he appears with his wife, Joanne Woodward, in a film. They are both stunning actors at the peak of their acting powers in this movie. There really is no need to compare and contrast perfection itself. Merchant-Ivory is wonderful at handling the upper classes, whether they be British or American, in London, or, in this case, Kansas City, in the 1930s and 1940s. What stands out most vividly to me is that Mr. Bridges' heart condition is really not treatable back then. We are so used to heart surgery now, that life lived with a heart condition back in the 1930s and 1940s is forgotten as being an entirely different situation. The movie is about this couple and their extended family and the crises they weather. This, however, is basically what every Merchant-Ivory film is about and this one covers every nuance within the Bridges' family's structure and behavior. I really love the beautiful body of film work by Merchant-Ivory and I'm really glad that some of it is American, set in our heartland, with the cream of our acting crop. ... Read more