Hello Mr. Joe Black... Review on Meet Joe Black Movie

What if death decided to give a little visit to the earth? No, not for business, but for a little vacation? Would it like what it would see? Would it like the 'earthly' experiences? More importantly, would it like this place called earth?

1998 saw the release of many flicks of which Meet Joe Black (henceforth referred to as MJB) got quite good reviews. Although the people did not rave about it, it was over all a neatly dished out fare, one might say. In fact, MJB is a movie about Death taking a day off and going on a vacation.

Before you start wondering about me uttering nonsense, I suggest you take one look at the movie.

The movie begins with Anthony Hopkins as William Parrish, a bigshot telecom entrepreneur, getting ready to close a big merger deal with a huge telecom company. The scene that ensues introduces us to his family and his No. 1 man. In the background, we see preparations for his 65th birthday. With that, he starts on what seems like any other normal day. Little does he know that his life is set for a change that he'll remember until his death (pun unintended)...

''Death on a vacation'' - It may seem like an absurd idea to think about, let alone believe in!! But that is what MJB is all about. Joe Black is The Grim Reaper, on a vacation and 'incidentally' he is the same guy Susan (Hopkins' daughter in the movie, played by Claire Forlani) meets at the coffee shop and falls head over heels for. Hopkins is absolutely helpless and finds himself at the mercy of The Reaper. A person accustomed to giving orders is now suddenly at the receiving end!! To add to his anger and irritation, Susan falls for Joe. Only this time, she doesn't know his real identity!

Anthony Hopkins does a real good job as Bill Parrish (No wonders!!) while Brad Pitt does his job of The Grim Reaper with utmost ease. Claire Forlani as Susan is a treat with her soft voice and silken speech. The rest of the cast is amazingly well co-ordinated. Like it or not, this movie makes you smile, at the same time makes you think, especially when you listen to the conversation between JB and the Carribean woman.

MJB explores the alien concept of Death on a vacation in an amazingly fantastic manner. It is next to impossible to imagine what death would have done, had he decided to tkae a day off and come down on earth for a 'vacation'! Funnily, that's what director Martin Brest accomplishes like a pro. The quartet of writers has indeed been, thorough with their job. The Reaper's funny misadventures arising out of his ignorance and lack of 'earthly' knowledge, are perfectly scripted and also directed perfectly to a tee, by Martin Brest. MJB, as a whole, is a nice movie for those who like to be challenged intellectually. In short, try and comprehend the meaning of ''Death becomes Alive''. That about sums it up.

Bottomline

MJB, released in 1998 was well received by the audience and is a good fare if you are interested in philosophy and have a good sense of creativity. Personally it is movie worth spending your time on, may be not money. So catch it on Star Movies sometime; it's a reggie there!!

Watch it, atleast once, to know what importance emotions hold for us humans!