This review is part of the "Cliché Soirée Write-Off" hosted by mind-full to celebrate her 2-year anniversary with Epinions. If you think a write-off for this purpose is cliché . . . well, that's the point. You're ahead of the game already! Read on for more cliché phrases, and take a look at the other Epinions' talent who have thrown their hats into the write-off ring!

Meet Joe Black--Cliché Soirée Write-Off
181 Minutes
Rated PG-13
1998
Universal Pictures & City Light Film


Meet Joe Black is a very powerful movie. An emotional roller coaster, climaxed with such raw emotion and power of true love. The kind where the lightning hit you and all of the sudden you can not breathe. At first I didn’t think I was going to be able to ‘get’ into this movie but after the first very odd 10 minutes I was hooked. Meet Joe Black starts off with William (Bill) Parrish in bed hearing voices. He hears them continually always ‘yes’, this day Bill Parrish has a meeting with Bonelli (you don’t find this out till about mid way) about a merger. His eldest daughter is preparing the birthday bash of the century for her dad who will be turning 65 in a few days. Bill has two daughters the eldest (honestly I have no clue her name is, every time her name was said the volume dropped and the end credits were all blurry) and the youngest is Susan. The eldest is married to Quincy and though Susan is not married she has a boring mechanical ‘love interest’ with Drew. (Bill’s right hand man) Bill, Quincy, and Drew are headed to a very important meeting in New York about a merger, and Susan is going to New York to the hospital where she has her residency. They all leave via helicopter from the house. Must be nice.

People standing outside a running helicopter can always talk in normal voices and easily hear each other, inside too. Bill asks his daughter Susan if she is ‘in love’ with Drew, no comment. Bill makes Susan promise not to miss out on that love that will hit her like a bolt of lightening. She agrees but you can tell she really does not mean it. Once they land Susan heads to work as the others go to the meeting. Susan stops at a cafe and meets this really cool guy. As they leave that bolt of lightening hits both of them. The next few days do drag and all movie time goes. This mysterious voice that Bill heard before comes back while Bill, Quincy, the oldest daughter and Drew are eating at the table. Bill asks the maid to check the door. She allows Mr. Joe Black in and comes to tell Bill that he is waiting in the ‘day’ library. (What, he has an afternoon and evening one too?) Bill meets him in the library yet can not see the figure anywhere. Bill soon finds out that ‘death’ would like a guide to the real world while he is on ‘holiday’ thus in return Bill gets to live a little longer. Bill thinks he is loosing his mind but Joe reassures him ‘not yet’. Bill introduces Joe to those there and if you ever ever want to see Anthony Hopkins at a loss for words here is your shining moment. Really how do you introduce ‘death’, ‘grim reaper’ or whatever name you choose. In fact Joe will be staying at the house too. Drew is jealous, you can see it and hear it out of him. The kind of guy you would NOT want your daughter to marry. The remainder of the evening and most of the next day Joe acts like he has never been around people, but man does he have proper speech and manners.

That next night Susan is there for dinner and says hello to the guy that happens to be the same guy from the cafe, yet he acts likes he has no idea who she is. (Now you as a viewer will know why, but I will not tell you as the reader. It is VERY important) Drew is there again is very jealous of Joe and how easily Joe and Susan spoke. They break up this night. The next day Joe and Bill head to the office to announce that Bill is telling the board that he does not want to continue with the merger. (Really he has only a few days before he dies and is trying to get everything in order.) Drew is irrate. The merger is VERY important to Drew and talks the board into releasing Bill since he has to rely on Joe’s time frame. Joe and Susan fall intensely in love and when they have sex it is the first time for Joe (death) the look on his face is so real and cute to boot. Two total strangers, upon falling into bed together, will always reach an incredibly intense, mutual, and SIMULTANEOUS orgasm on the first try. This is no different yet it is within 15 seconds. Pretty long for the first time. This movie is one you really need to see. If I say any more you will not have the intense reaction that you should. SEE THIS MOVIE.

Cast & Crew:

Director & Producer--Martin Brest
Executive Producer--Ronald Schwary
Co-Producer--David Wally
Music--Thomas Newman
Editors--Joe Hutshing & Michael Tronick

Brad Pitt
Anthony Hopkins
Jake Weber
Marcia Gay Harden
Claire Forlani
Jeffrey Tambor

My Final Two-Cents:

Like I have said at the beginning this entire movie is an emotional roller coaster. The moods are so intense one minute to instantly relaxed the next. Even though I had rented this I will be adding it to my collection. On Bill’s birthday the music picked was absolutely perfect. The ending is powerful and you will be in tears. See this movie and I bet that you will enjoy it as much as I did. And remember a dying person’s last words will always be coherent and significant. Especially when you know a few days ahead of time that you’re going to die. If you are fans of either Pitt or Hopkins you will be impressed about their skills in this movie. Five golden stars for this one.

Other Movies Recommended:

* City of Angels
* Bicentennial Man
* Pay It Forward

Recommended For:

* Brad Pitt fans
* Anthony Hopkins
* Pure romantic/drama fans
* Just about everyone








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Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good Date Movie
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older