Meet Joe Black

Martin Brest

1998

4.00

Synopsis

When the grim reaper comes to collect the soul of megamogul Bill Parrish, he arrives with a proposition: Host him for a "vacation" among the living in trade for a few more days of existence. Parrish agrees, and using the pseudonym Joe Black, Death begins taking part in Parrish's daily agenda and falls in love with the man's daughter. Yet when Black's holiday is over, so is Parrish's life.

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Cast

Brad PittJoe Black
Anthony HopkinsWilliam Parrish
Claire ForlaniSusan Parrish
Jake WeberDrew
Marcia Gay HardenAllison Parrish
Jeffrey TamborQuince
June SquibbHelen
Gene CanfieldConstruction Foreman
Suzanne HevnerFlorist
Stephen Adly GuirgisHospital Receptionist

Recommendations

75
Chicago Sun-Times
The movie contains elements that make it very good, and a lot of other elements besides. Less is more.
67
Entertainment Weekly
Sometimes clever and enjoyable, even touching, yet too often the film makes you feel as if you're in Sunday school.
67
Austin Chronicle
Meet Joe Black flows nicely, and the whole of the film is bathed in some of the most sumptuous cinematography (courtesy of "Like Water for Chocolate's" Emmanuel Lubezki) of the year.
63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
Ultimately, the movie is a perfect mirror of its star -- looks great, seems empty.
60
L.A. Weekly
Meet Joe Black is a hefty three hours long, and just so you know, it is at least two before Claire Forlani, as the Parrish daughter, Susan, unbuttons Pitt's shirt.
60
Washington Post
Meet Joe Black is Hopkins's movie and, despite the film's unnecessary length, his quiet and dignified performance almost carries the ball across the finish line.
50
TV Guide Magazine
It doesn't pay to look too closely at this sumptuous fantasy, but if you're in the right mood to let it wash over you it's very warm and fizzy indeed.
50
Variety
What might have been an effective fantasy if handled with sophistication and insouciance is instead weighed down by ponderous pacing, overstuffed production values and an instance of miscasting.

Meet Joe Black

Synopsis

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Cast

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