Lots of people think Brad Pitt is to die for, but in Meet Joe Black, he's Death himself. It seems that life, for Death, is boring. Anthony Hopkins plays a wealthy media mogul whose time has come too soon. He didn't get wealthy through passive acceptance, though, so he makes a deal with Death.

Death Takes a Holiday

Death will take over a recently killed body, which luckily belonged to Brad Pitt. As Joe Black, he'll hang out with Hopkins' William Parrish, who will act as a guide to life on Earth. In return, he'll let Parrish live a little longer. Pitt is charming and funny as he explores everything from corporate boardrooms to peanut butter.

Enter Parrish's daughter Susan, played by the achingly beautiful Claire Forlani. She's engaged, but unsure about her fiancee. When she meets Joe Black, she recognizes him from an earlier encounter--except that was with the young man who died shortly thereafter. Joe and Susan begin to fall in love, and thus a huge dilemma is posed.

The film takes its time setting up and then resolving the problem of Joe's return to his real self, and whom he might take with him. The drawn-out ending makes for a rather flat finish, but this is still a very enjoyable movie. Though Pitt is the eye candy, it's Hopkins who makes this film work. As he plays Parrish, he shows us the dignity, acceptance, and absolute love that motivate the character. He is the motor that keeps this movie running through some slow times.