I contest the bad reviews - I love it!
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — General Discussion
carol1729 — 14 years ago(May 21, 2011 11:59 AM)
I love this movie. It's a remake of 'Death Takes a Holiday" (1934) which had it's own remake: a 1971 TV movie of the same name.
"Meet Joe Black" was hated by reviewers but it's a lovely movie. I think reviewers didn't understand much of it. Brad was panned as being 'wooden' when he was really doing an excellent job of portraying Death being unused to human life & emotions.
It has a tremendously erotic love scene when Death learns about sex. Whoo!
And a moment when Susan (Claire Forlani) realizes that the soul inhabiting Joe's (Brad's) body is really Death. Without a word being spoken about it. This moment is a mirror of an earlier moment when Bill (Anthony Hopkins) first realizes that Joe is Death - again done by searching looks into Death's eyes.
It might be cornybut I prefer to find it poignant and at the end, I feel good - which is what I want in a movie.
There's something wonderful about both Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins. They are both outstanding actors and when they are on the screen, one is riveted! They glow. They sparkle. It's whatever that indefinable something that used to be termed "STAR" quality. They both have it. And you really feel it in "MEET JOE BLACK".
I'm sorry for all people involved in this movie that it did so poorly at the box office and got bad reviews which it DID NOT deserve. -
Emiabambinacara — 14 years ago(May 24, 2011 01:13 AM)
I've never understood people's disdain for the film either. However, if I have to name a common complaint, it's the pace and length of the film. I, however, find the pace to be perfection.
I totally agree about Pitt also. There is a reason for that old adage about those who can't.
But what do I know; I also found Der Kreiger und die Kaiserin excellent. Most critics, on the other hand thought it was sh!t. They had Tykwer shipped back to Germany after its theatrical run.
Why are women so angry these days? They got half the money and all the pussy.-Gary Busey -
frompagescreen — 14 years ago(May 29, 2011 12:57 PM)
Ive always contested the bad reviews toward this film.
Whilst I cant work out which slot this film would take, I know for a fact that this film is in my Top 10 of all time.
I love the score, the pace of the film (I even describe the film as boring..but its certainly not a bad film. I could watch this once a month for the rest of my life)
Blog: frompage2screen.wordpress.com
Podcast: frompage2screen
Twitter: @frompage2screen -
Miinerva — 14 years ago(June 23, 2011 02:54 PM)
It was a concept movie and the public at large isn't really up to something like this. I think it was a mixed bag without much of a chance for success not matter what stars were in it and regardless of how they preformed.
"Mr. Willoughby, you are not welcome here." -
silvercj — 14 years ago(August 07, 2011 12:03 PM)
I agree with you guys. It is a well paced movie. Brad is conveying death getting used to human life very well. Carefully taking it all in and observing.
I also noted how very handsome this man is. Very intense and charismatic. I can see why women swoon over him. Paired with being a good person in real life, hey, who wouldn't fall for him, right? -
crownklown — 14 years ago(September 20, 2011 12:57 PM)
My favorite genre is horror. This is arguably a 3 hour long drama romance, but I love this movie, def. in my top ten. And I agree Brad Pitt's performance with relation to what he was supposed to play was spot on.
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realart — 14 years ago(October 10, 2011 08:56 PM)
Carol, you nailed it on all counts. This is a modern day film that hearkens back to the old days of great films.
And no explosions or chase scenes, too!
It is all about situation, characters, character development and dialogue. Wonderful performances were had by all. And the interaction between Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins is superb.
To heck with the reviewers who could not see!
(this from a 61 year old man, btw) -
carol1729 — 14 years ago(October 11, 2011 08:02 PM)
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who loves this movie. I also especially loved Claire Forlani as Susan (I didn't say that before) - she has such intense eyes! and does an excellent job. As do the rest of the cast.
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spawnerdawner2004 — 14 years ago(October 13, 2011 10:01 AM)
Great post! I couldn't agree with you more.
The thing that GOT ME is the dignity and grace, with which Bill (Anthony Hopkins) met and accepted his fate. The walking down the bridge with Joe Black and that INCREDIBLE SCORE just gets me everytime!!!!
People complain of its lengthy running time - to me it goes by in a blink -
carol1729 — 14 years ago(October 13, 2011 08:13 PM)
Anthony Hopkins does play the role so well!
Because the movie does run longer than many, if you watch it on TV, some of the best parts are edited out. I watched it playing on TV recently and much of the conversation and by-play with the coffee-shop Joe (Brad Pitt) was cut out and made the end of the movie rather meaningless. Also usually on TV the love scene between Brad Pitt as death and Susan is usually cut short. Death making love for the first time! Such a shame to have that cut out!
