Stunning, but not everyone's cup of tea!

Rating: 9/10 (13 November 1999)

Anthony Hopkins, Claire Forlani and Brad Pitt - brought together under the direction of Martin Brest paves the way for an emotional and frankly quite compelling love story where Brad Pitt pays the cleverly unusual role of Death as "Joe Black".
Having assumed the body of a recently deceased earthling (which I won't elaborate on), Joe explains to "Bill Parrish" (Anthony Hopkins) that he wants to spend some time in the life of the famous millionaire, to experience the way of life - the key being that as long as Bill Parrish can keep Joe Black "interested" he gets to defer his pending heart attack.
Sounds simple enough but Bill's sweet daughter "Susan Parish" (Claire Forlani) sitting at the dinner table when Joe arrives complicates this otherwise simple theory (as love tends to do!)
This is a very long film - perhaps a little too long to maintain the interest of some viewers.
If you get through the first 15 or so minutes of this film (the coffee shop and associated scenes) and find it enjoyable the rest of the movie will simply fall into place. There are a few sub-plots hatching concurrently
Having browsed other reviews, it is obvious Meet Joe Black won't appeal to everyone.
I think it's a great film. The cinematography is excellent and I thought the acting was very strong.
And the amazing level of humour brought into the film by Brad Pitt once he starts playing the presumably undefinable role of Death finished it off perfectly.
Oh, and the music... Memorable soundtracks are few and far between. With the exception of 2 out of the 20 tracks they are all original compositions composed and conducted by Thomas Newman. As orchestral staff goes I thought they were stunningly appropriate - certainly emotion provoking without a doubt.
Soundtracks are designed to enhance the movie experience - and this one achieves that. Having seen the movie (DVD), listened to the soundtrack a number of times - then actually watched the movie again I was quite amazed to find the second watch better than the first.
I'd give it 9 out of 10.
Stunning!