I know, old movie. Sadly, I had never seen it until just now. I've gotta say, it was fantastic, and totally free to watch at
Hulu. So, if you're as behind the times on this as I am, consider this your "news" report. Or, If you already knew about it, WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME ABOUT IT SOONER?
I'll say it again,
Meet Joe Black was absolutely phenomenal. The plot is based on the idea that "Death", as a person/character, takes the form of a human in order to learn about "life", as an experience. Oh, how I love extended metaphors.
The story is definitely a stretch. At times, it can be somewhat appalling, but it has a strange yet inviting way of growing on you. Things that at first seem absurd and unjust eventually fall into place to make for a compelling story about love, sacrifice, and the importance--or lack thereof--of a person's origins and background.
It's difficult to explain fully the interactions between the different characters--suffice to say that Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, and Claire Forlani all give
superb performances that are as essential to the magnificence of the movie as the script itself.
Pitt as a confused character, outside of his element but constantly intrigued and enamored throughout; Hopkins as a loving father, stern business man, and genuine example of all things good and right in the world; and Forlani pulls off a sense of understanding, masked by confusion, without ever actually verbalizing it. Perhaps by fear, or logic, blocking what she seems to know is true, but will not acknowledge. Plus, she's damn cute, as she was in Mallrats.
The film is about a strange sort of redemption, among other things, but really, there's just so much in this 3 hour masterpiece that it's hard to point out all of the wonderful little tidbits that come in and out during the span of the movie--a span that goes by quickly, despite the seemingly long run time.
Overall, I'd say it's one of the best movies that I've seen to date, and though I'm not sure that I can absorb all of the life lessons it tries too teach in one sitting, that's just another fantastic reason for me to watch it again!
