Gently paced, emotional comedy drama

Rating: 10/10 (13 November 1998)

"Meet Joe Black" is well written, gently paced, very funny and very touching with tremendous performances from Anthony Hopkins, Claire Forlani and Brad Pitt.
Yes, I said Brad Pitt gave a tremendous performance as Death-Joe Black/Young-Man-in-Coffee-Shop. He plays the part of Death using Brad Pitt's classic body as if he has never been in a human body before. As an actor playing this role, Brad Pitt chose to walk stiffly with virtually no mannerisms as if he were a spirit inhabiting an unknown organism. I enjoyed watching him act out the consequences of this decision. He is also very funny throughout the movie acting in ways unlike any of the other characters. He especially stands out from the crowd in the boardroom scenes. He is amazing in scenes with a hospital patient who has recognized him for what he is.
Anthony Hopkins is marvelous as William Parish, head of Parrish Communications. Parrish finds out a few days before his 65th birthday that Death will take him as soon as Death is done experiencing life on earth. He knows the penalty for arguing the Death-Joe Black is instant death, and yet he stays true to himself to the end. This is seemingly casual performance by Hopkins is very strong. His heart attack sequence early in the movie is gut wrenching. He is tender with his daughters, decisive with his board of directors and mystified by his relationship with Death.
Claire Forlani is a find as Parrish's favorite daughter. There is a cool, reluctant and yet trusting chemistry between her character, Susan, and Joe Black. Their body language is enhanced by close camerawork in tender scenes, slow moving, emotion-filled scenes.
The movie is long. I looked forward to spending 174 minutes with Brad Pitt. But I hated his last movie with Anthony Hopkins ("Legends of the Fall") so was instantly wary when I heard about the running length. Watching the film, I loved the care the directory takes with each scene, each line of dialogue, each nuanced use of the word "yes". The script is excellent. The ending was very satisfying. The film requires thought from the moviegoer. Some folks may not get the nuances, and may miss one of Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins best movies. I hereby nominate Claire Forlani for best supporting actress.