Flawed, but with some great moments

Rating: Null/10 (10 June 2003)

I agree with commenter mccracd (11 April 2003) on most points, except that I found that Brad Pitt was really good in his role. And - independently of this - am not a fan of his, but his extreme good looks were a real treat for the eye. Though the casting of such an extremely handsome man as Death who wants to take a 65-old straight man with him left me wondering: why did Death waste all these good looks on such a "victim" (he didn't plan to fall in love with Susan Parrish straight from the start, after all)? If the two men themselves had had a love story with each other, it would have been different of course, but in this case, I agree with commenter mccracd that another, older and less handsome-looking actor would have been more aptly cast. Also Death's lack of knowledge on human ways seemed misplaced in a story on such a serious topic and reminded me of cheap comedy fare that was completely unnecessary here.I also think the script on the whole was flawed (it did not really know where to go and wanted too much, I think) and much of the dialog lacked punch and intelligence. Some memorable dialog bits could have made a cult movie of this one.
The story was compelling though in a weird way and made me think a lot (about my own mortality, among other things). Formally, the movie was really beautifully made (great photography! - watch the scene where Hopkins and Pitt meet for the first time) and for me at least, it did not seem to drag.
What was a really supreme moment in the film was the lovemaking scene between Susan and Joe. You don't find very often a mainstream Hollywood film where lovemaking really MEANS something (in case they do include such a scene in the movie), but here, it was the peak of Death's experience as a living person. Look at Brad Pitt's face here: what mixture of astonishment, awe, love, lust, fear...! Just plain wonderful. Death engaging in the ultimate act of Life.
As for the tears in the last few scenes: Claire Forlani's weeping all the time didn't move me at all - but when Death sheds a tear, it did....
I'd give it 6/10.