Death is a scary idea, to be constantly surrounded by a force that no one really understands is terrifying. Well at least I thought it was, thanks to Martin Brest (director) it seems kind of funny. Meet Joe Black (cleverest name ever) is an interesting romp down an uncharted road. Let’s get into why this movie is as serious as a heart attack.
Plot
Man runs an extremely successful business but is feeling odd chest pains. (Bill)
Man starts to hear voices in his head that comment on his pain. (Bill)
The voice turns out to be death and offer’s the man a proposition. (Joe,Bill)
Death follows the man during his day in exchange for more time to live. (Joe, Bill)
When you think about a movie where death follows a man around you probably have images of white men predicting which person in their circle is going to die next (looking at you Final Destination). But Meet Joe Black has something Final Destination couldn’t pull off, charm. I know what you’re thinking (no I don’t), how could a movie about a man dying be charming? Two simple words, Brad (#istherenothingthismancantdo) Pitt.
Brad Pitt steals every single scene he is in. He gives the grim reaper a more tame look while not losing the mystique of what it means to shuttle people to the afterlife. Pitt is the star of this movie and for good reason. You can’t help but smile while you watch him find his way around life (yeah it’s pretty ironic). I dare you to watch the scene where Joe tastes peanut butter for the first time and not smile ear to ear (I double dare you!).
Did I mention Anthony Hopkins was in this movie? Well yeah the granddaddy of acting plays a distraught and confused businessman who has death following him around like Tails (that’s a sonic reference folks dust off your Sega’s). Bill Parish (Hopkins) is an interesting character. He is a man that worked hard his entire life to build an empire and you watch him as he sees how it’s going to end. The dialogue between Pitt and Hopkins is top notch. This is the kind of drama that relies on the dialogue and that is just fine. You will be thoroughly amused during the film.
I don’t want to give too much away because then this would be a summary and not a S(c)een(e), but this movie has a lot more to offer than meets the eye. But the main element is expressed masterfully. Death is something that follows all of us and if Brad Pitt happens to be Death then it’s going to be pretty entertaining.
#favoritescene Joe Black is at the hospital and meets an old Jamaican patient who is afraid of him because she senses “evil”. Joe sees her concern and begins to soothe her worries, by speaking patois (you seriously have to see it to believe it). In fact you will see it.
Voice: Yes.
William Parrish: Yes what?
Voice: ‘Yes’ is the answer to your question.
William Parrish: What question?
Voice: Oh, Bill. Come on. The question. The question you’ve been asking yourself with increased regularity, at odd moments, panting through the extra game of handball, when you ran for the plane in Delhi, when you sat up in bed last night and hit the floor in the office this morning. The question that is in the back of your throat, choking the blood to your brain, ringing in your ears over and over as you put it to yourself.
William Parrish: The question.
Voice: Yes, Bill. The question.
William Parrish: …Am I going to die?
Joe Black: [appearing from the shadows] Yes.
Let me know what you think about this movie if you’ve seen it or if you just want to hit me up about the post on twitter at www.twitter.com/verbatumjones
Or feel free to comment below.
-Verb.
Peace
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