Meet Joe Black (DVD, 2001, 2-Disc Set, Ultimate Edition)

I liked this movie from the very beginning perhaps because of its star power and lush photography and fantastic music. Actually, "Meet Joe Black" is weird.

It starts out with Bill Parrish (Anthony Hopkins) having a heart attack close to his 65th birthday. On a second front, his grown daughter Medical Dr. Susan Parrish (Claire Forlani) is meeting a great new guy with no name (Brad Pitt)in a coffee shop. They have a nice chat, part outside, and he is killed by a passing car. She doesn't know it.

The two plots--actually there are three--merge when Bill Parrish continues to have heart attack symptoms and hears weird voices in his head. Finally, the weird voice announces that he is Death and futhermore appears in the body of the mysterious stranger (Brad Pitt). Death takes the name Joe Black and makes a bargain with Bill Parrish: Bill can remain living as long as Death is enjoying himself. That means that Joe Black becomes the constant companion of Bill Parrish, who is really a corporate bigwig.

Now the third plot: Bill's company is entertaining a merger with Bontecou Enterprises. One of the key players in the merger is Drew (Jake Weber), who is corrupt. He uses the constant appearances of Joe Black to make Bill Parrish look weak and incompetent. He even goes to the extreme of having Bill terminated as chairman of the board. But the merger hasn't happened yet.

The second plot continues with Death (I mean Joe Black) falling in love with Dr. Susan. She thinks that Joe is the mysterious stranger, and Death lets her think so. Joe even talks about them going away together. Isn't that weird?

This movie lasts 178 minutes, and it actually takes that long to unravel all of this plot. I will say that it has a sort of happy ending.

Many critics have panned this movie. But if you give it a chance, it does make sense. Think of Joe Black as a vampire that is courting your grown daughter--and you are the only one who knows the truth. Think how horrified you would be; that is Bill Parrish's dilemma.

Trust me in this: this movie is eye candy with great actors doing a super job with lush photography and fantastic music. It is a great ride if you just can enjoy the fantasy and allegory.

A beautiful story not only about DEATH but about LOVE. Both of these two major themes have a sort of ballet-like chemistry to each other throughout the film. Death comes to all of us, but in between the idea of "death" there is the rewards of "love" in that it is Love that Death does not understand. When Death realizes what Love is, Death, too, can not escape Love's beauty. Brad Pitt plays Joe Black (Death) intrigued about the "life" of Anthony Hopkins (Bill Parrish) a wealthy business man. Death eventually falls for the love of Bill's daughter, Claire Forlani (Susan Parrish) and all the complications of how life, love, and death are reflected throughout this entertaining film. Great supporting cast help keep the movie moving, and though it is long, you wouldn't notice this too much because of the nice storyline.

I have always loved this movie for it's depth, emotion, humor and beauty. Joe Black (Brad Pitt)is the Angel of Death in this wonderful movie. Death decides to go on holiday, and takes a body from a poor sweet guy out side a Cafe. Bill Perish, a billionaire media man, is about to die, and death (in his new body) tells Bill that he can stay to get his affairs in order as long as he keeps him (Death/Joe) entertained. Joe falls in love with Bill's daughter Susan. I love the change that Joe goes through as he learns about human emotions and life. Bill and Joe both learn so much from each other........but Death comes away a better being for their journey together. I think movies should take you to a place you have never been before - help you to understand something that you had never thought about understanding. This movie does just that. I have had people tell me that they couldn't get through the first 15 minutes of this movie because they had to THINK. They just wanted to be entertained, and didn't want to concentrate. If you like depth and emotion........and the paranormal...........you'll love this movie.

Meet Joe Black is a beautiful film with a talented cast. Because it is unique, the plot enables humor to be weaved within the dramatic and romantic elements. The music, composed by Thomas Newman (Shawshank Redemption, Erin Brokovich) truly enhances the movie. The many string and piano melodies are beautiful, and fit smoothly. There are so many memorable moments, like father-daughter conversations, and the scene in the coffee shop. Brad Pitt, in his portrayal of Death,displays naive and vulnerable feelings, skillfully in sharp contrast his behavior at the beginning of the film. While some criticize its length and unrealistic aspects of the plot, I found it to be so captivating and quite well-made. Meet Joe Black has an indescribable effect on me whenever I watch it. The story of Death being apprentice to a respected, accomplished man makes one realize the simple beauties of life-- passion, family, love... and peanut butter.

I love Meet Joe Black because the movie has Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt as the Leading Stars in this Movie! Anthony Hopkins as; Bill Parrish who has it all. Oh Bill the Lucky Guy..... Wealth, Success, and Power meets Brad Pitt (Angel of Death). The journey these two actors travel throughout this movie is extraordinary and filled with mystery and intrigue.

I decided to buy it because I had the money and I love the movie! I love all the actors in this movie!