This could have been either very gloomy or sweeter than sugar, but it all went well.

Rating: 8/10 (2 February 2005)

I guess this is the kind of movie about which only two opinions seem to exist: people love it or hate it. Apparently there isn't a way in between the two. Knowing that this movie is about death and that Brad Pitt is playing in it is already enough for many people to dislike it. Personally I don't have any problems with the subject, nor with the actors playing in it. I thought that Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins were a very good match. Everything they did was convincing, not too sweet and interesting to watch, what more can you expect?
Bill Parrish (Anthony Hopkins) has everything he can dream of. He's a rich media tycoon, he has a loving family and he is about to celebrate his 65th birthday. But than Joe Black (Brad Pitt) appears into his life. Joe isn't just an ordinary young man. He's Death who has taken over the body of a young man, so he could pay Bill Parrish a visit. But instead of killing him immediately, he enters into an unusual gentleman's agreement with Parrish. He'll let him live a bit longer if Parrish shows him around on a tour of life and doesn't reveal Joe's secret identity. When Joe meets Bill's daughter Susan (Claire Forlani), they fall in love. Now Joe, being in love for the first time, threatens to change the rules and Bill Parrish will have to do everything he can to protect the ones he loves.
This movie could easily have become very dark and gloomy or sweeter as sugar, but somehow the creators have been able to keep it all well-balanced. I'm sure that even people who are a bit afraid of the subject will be pleasantly surprised by it. Only those who have always hated Brad Pitt probably shouldn't watch this film, because he is his usual self in this one. Personally I don't have any problems with him and I loved to watch this movie. That's why I give it an 8/10.