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Meet Joe Black Details

1998 Certificate 12
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 10,410 members

This modern fantasy stars Anthony Hopkins as William Parrish, a wealthy New York City media mogul who suffers a heart attack on the eve of his 65th birthday; although he survives, he senses that his own death is near. On the same day, Parrish's younger daughter Susan (Claire Forlani) meets a handsome young stranger (Brad Pitt) .. Read more

Starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Marcia Gay Harden, Jake Weber
Director Martin Brest
Genres Drama

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Meet Joe Black

This modern fantasy stars Anthony Hopkins as William Parrish, a wealthy New York City media mogul who suffers a heart attack on the eve of his 65th birthday; although he survives, he senses that his own death is near. On the same day, Parrish's younger daughter Susan (Claire Forlani) meets a handsome young stranger (Brad Pitt) at a neighboring coffee shop and is instantly smitten. As they part, the young stranger is killed and his body is instantly occupied by Death, who is coming to Earth to warn Parrish that his death is, indeed, imminent. Death enters the Parrish household disguised as Joe Black, the handsome stranger, and although Parrish realizes Death's intentions he lets the family believe that Joe Black is a young business associate. Susan is shocked to find the familiar young man at her family dinner that evening and is instantly overwhelmed with desire. As she begins a passionate love affair with the debonaire stranger, she has no idea that she is no longer falling for the young stranger from the coffee shop but for Death himself. In an effort to prolong his life and his daughter's happiness, William agrees to take Joe on a tour of human life that includes board meetings, family parties, and, ultimately, romance. As long as Joe falls in love, Parrish remains alive. This version was inspired by the Alberto Casella play DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY and the subsequent 1934 film.

Starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Marcia Gay Harden, Jake Weber, Claire Forlani, Jeffrey Tambor
Director Martin Brest
Studio UCA
Run time DVD: 2 hrs 53 mins
Certificate Certificate 12
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Dubbed Czech, German
Subtitles DVD: Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, Hebrew, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish
Released DVD: 30 Jun 2008
Production year: 1998
Format DVD
  • Critics' reviews (4) of Meet Joe Black

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  • 2 stars out of 5

    Brad Pitt stars as the Grim Reaper in this remake of the 1930s classic Death Takes a Holiday, giving ailing media magnate Anthony Hopkins an offer he can't refuse — extra life, provided Death can spend a few days living among mortals. However, no one is more startled by Pitt's arrival than Hopkins's beautiful daughter (Claire Forlani), because Death (who adopts the pseudonym “Joe Black”) has taken over the body of the handsome stranger she met earlier in a coffee shop. Martin Brest's weepie is nicely played but overlong — especially considering the original zipped by in under 80 minutes.

    • Radio Times
  • A movie more than half in love with Brad Pitt; the camera swoons around him endlessly, while little of interest goes on elsewhere.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • Most helpful member's review of Meet Joe Black

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  • 11 out of 12 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Great film for those willing to get the point

    I can't understand why people tend to slag this movie off. I've seen it at least 10 times over the past 6 years and love it every time!

    Brad Pitt is great as "Death" on holiday and Anthony Hopkins is terrific as the man chosen to show him around before he is taken by death.

    All 3 hours of it are worth the watch, it draws you in and keeps your attention as each character discovers their own truths to the love of life and its joys and pitfalls. I found Pitts acting superb for the duality of the coffee shop guy and "Death".

    I say give it a watch and decide for yourself!

      • Malissiamiao from Surrey
  • Most recent members' review of Meet Joe Black

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  • 11 out of 12 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Great film for those willing to get the point

    I can't understand why people tend to slag this movie off. I've seen it at least 10 times over the past 6 years and love it every time!

    Brad Pitt is great as "Death" on holiday and Anthony Hopkins is terrific as the man chosen to show him around before he is taken by death.

    All 3 hours of it are worth the watch, it draws you in and keeps your attention as each character discovers their own truths to the love of life and its joys and pitfalls. I found Pitts acting superb for the duality of the coffee shop guy and "Death".

    I say give it a watch and decide for yourself!

      • Malissiamiao from Surrey
  • More like this

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Rating breakdown

10,410 Member ratings
  • 100
1,188
  • 90
963
  • 80
1,984
  • 70
1,921
  • 60
1,769
  • 50
941
  • 40
658
  • 30
426
  • 20
365
  • 10
195

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    • This modern fantasy stars Anthony Hopkins as William Parrish, a wealthy New York City media mogul who suffers a heart attack on the eve of his 65th birthday; although he survives, he senses that his ...