I am a film geek to say the least. I have more than 100 movies on my watch list and this week’s chosen movie was Meet Joe Black. Of course, it is possible to watch more than one movie, but I also have schoolwork to occupy my time. Moving on, Meet Joe Black holds the highest rank in rotten tomatoes for me at the moment.
Meet Joe Black was created in 1998 by Martin Brest. It stars Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, and Claire Forlani. The plot follows Bill Parrish (Anthony Hopkins) a successful businessman and loving family man; he is then visited by Death on his 65th birthday. In exchange for extending Bill’s life, Death wants to know what it is like to be a human. The character of Death makes its first appearance in the beginning scenes when Bill Parrish hears an eerie voice calling out to him. As the story progresses on so does the reveal of death. Media billionaire Bill Parrish is thinking about merging with another giant company. In the meantime, Alison, his oldest child, has been planning a lavish 65th birthday celebration for him. His younger daughter Susan, who is a resident in internal medicine, is dating Bill’s board member Drew. Bill advises Susan not to consider marriage because he believes she is not truly in love, warning that “lightning could strike”. Susan then meets a charismatic young man who likewise warns that “lightning may strike” while studying in a coffee shop, an attraction develops. That evening, the voice calls to Bill once more to meet him in a room by himself. Death appears gradually, revealing his identity as the young man Susan met in the coffee shop.
Personally, I think Brad Pitt is an exceptional actor as well as Anthony Hopkins. Brad Pitt has starred in many of my favorite films like Moneyball, Mr. And Mrs. Smith, Fight Club, and Seven. He envelopes his characters flawlessly while adding a bit of his own signature personality into them. Anthony Hopkins is also a brilliant actor as he starred in Red Dragon and The Silence of the Lambs playing Hannibal Lector. Hopkins’ character Bill Parrish reminded me of my parents and how they continuously inspire me to follow my heart day to day. This movie not only gave me a sentimental value towards life but also a sense of gratitude for my parents and their guidance.
When you get the chance to sit down and watch a movie, I highly recommend Meet Joe Black.
Joseph D. • Mar 8, 2024 at 11:43 pm
Don’t know how I missed this one but saw it this evening and was floored! What a great movie and the acting was phenomenal. The storyline was easy to follow and my investigative mind was trying to figure things out, like what happened to the guy who got hit, what happened to Bill at his end etc…. It’s worth watching a couple of times and this movie moved me as did Brad Pitt did in Benjamin Buttons.