There's a pretty good movie buried somewhere in this big, dull blob. I can't even believe that there's so little so say about a movie over 3 hours long! Suffice to say there's like 5 characters, and they talk. A lot. This looks like an American attempt at 'smart talky drama' that the French make so often where people sit around and talk. A lot.
The main point I'd like you to take away from this review is the following statement: Claire Forlani is very, very pretty. She is one of the most photogenic actresses around today. Apparently, director Martin Brest feels the same way and just sticks a camera on Brad Pitt's shoulder. She smiles, she flirts, she looks away coyly--It's ALL HERE, folks! Anyway, she's Susan in this movie and she's impossibly smart and sweet and hot.
What else was in the movie? I mentioned Brad Pitt, who stammers and looks confused a lot. He's supposed to be playing death incarnate, but I never pictured Death as so friendly and child-like. (Are you supposed to wanna SLAP death in the face and tell him to pay attention?)
Anthony Hopkins plays a huge communications magnate who senses his impending demise, when Joe appears and asks for a look around earth. Give the movie's ample running time, they see surprisingly little. I'd have taken Death to Disney World and a few strip clubs, but I digress. THIS Death is happy enough sitting in board meetings, eating peanut butter, and mooning over Ms. High-Cheekbones.
There are many scenes involving conversation. I generally enjoy the art of dialogue, yet many scenes here felt like they were covering the same ground:
Susan: "I love you, Dad."
Dad: "I love you, too. Stay away from Joe. I love you."
Susan: "Where's Joe? I love you, Dad."
Jeffrey Tambor: "Hey NOW! I'm in this movie too and I love both of you."
Dad: "I love you too. Now get away from me. Where's all the damn peanut butter?"
And on and on. I appreciate what the filmmakers set out to do, which I believe was just to make a solid and satisfying romantic drama. Instead, our patience and bladders are tested through an absolutely interminable running time.
What would easily have been an entertaining (albeit forgettable) movie starring the two prettiest faces on earth instead becomes a series of long and drawn-out scenes and about three too many finales. (A small shout to Jeffrey Tambor and Jake Weber who do quite well in parts that should have been larger, all things considered.)
It's not really a bad movie. Executives just need to tighten the apron strings on the whole "Oh, your last movie was a huge surprise hit? Well, make ANYTHING you want? Running time? Who cares?” thing. After all, it's not like Martin Brest is P.T. Anderson. (Although his subtle nuances in Beverly Hills Cop still stand greatly underrated to this day. Ahem.)
Rent the DVD, and hit FF at any random point. You'll get the same overall impression I did, and it will save you time to look at Claire Forlani in other movies.
This modern fantasy stars Anthony Hopkins as William Parrish a wealthy New York City media mogul who suffers a heart attack on the eve of his 65th bir...More at Family Video
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