a little spoiler here

Rating: 9/10 (10 March 2004)

First off i think it is important to realize that this movie will either be loved or not cared for. One other user had recoginized this before me and i think its important to note. With that said only a true romantic can really enjoy this film, simply because there is much that goes into it which many reviews dont seem to understand.
Hopkins is fantastic as always, his character really surprised me in a lot ways, there is such a genuiness to the big media figure that Hopkins portrays. It adds such a charm to his character and something the audienc e can cleary relate to. You can clearly see Hopkin's character change throughout the film in subtle ways as he learns to accept his fate. For my money with the exception of Pacino, there is nobody better in hollywood at raising his voice for effect. Hopkin's character will really grow on the audience as the feeling for him turns from pity to respect.
Pitt has received a lot of undue crap for his portrayl of death. Death is not supposed to be charming, sweet, or dashing. I think some of the users want to keep Pitt in that natural charm that he exudes. But for the sake of the film he has to lose that, which he even admitted was hard to do. The more i watch the film the more Pitt's character really shows growth as well. Death in a way humanizes which is shown in the end as he tears up. His character is never the same after making love with Susan and the audience can really feel this. Pitt does a very good job in this role, but due to the narrow mindedness of many of the users and critics the appretiation for his talent goes by the way-side. In a way Death's innocence to the world he has never experienced is very charming and adds more depth to the film.
Forlani is very well cast as Susan and portrays a certain naive innocence which suits the role. Her beauty is very charming without being over the top, and her gentle personality work well to soften the persona of Death. This was by far her best role in a young career and i think very telling of how a good script can really make a chracter. The scenes with death and Susan have a very awkward clumsiness which fits well with how Pitt is supposed to play the charcter. Death in a way adapts the nature of the young man that Susan met and is very much vulnerable in the end of the movie. This of course is caused by Forlani's inspired acting and wonderful adaptiation the scrpit and audience.
Quince and Drew also add an extra spice to the pot as they play off one another for the affection of Bill. Drew's charcter stays firm throughtout movie and creates a villian that the audience loves to hate, cinematically ideal. While Quince plays that warm impressionable soul who struggles to find his nitche. Alison also adds a torn element as the first born daughter. Her character plays well of off Susan and the scene towards the end with Bill is priceless. Its a movie that tells a family tale in this mist of the main plot.
In conclusion the film was for me very captivating and holds a special place in my heart. My father and I are both very sentimental and love watching it together when im home from school. It just has that element to it which can be loved in a way many films cannot be these days. Certainly not a perfect film but i would rate it 8/10. Lastly many have crabbed about the time length. But for those romantically inclined souls Bill Parrish sums it up great when he says it all went by so fast. It starts with Pitts charm and ends with such. In between is a film of cinematic charm and deep thought.