Sooner or later everyone does.|Nov. 12, 1998|United States|178 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Drama;Fantasy;Romance
Description: Meet Joe Black is a 1998 film that tells the story of Bill Parrish, a media mogul who is in the midst of negotiating a major merger with another media giant. Amidst this, his eldest daughter, Alison, is organizing a grand 65th birthday celebration for him. Meanwhile, his younger daughter, Susan, a resident in internal medicine, is in a relationship with Drew, one of Bill’s board members.
Bill, observing that Susan is not deeply in love, advises her to wait for a more passionate connection, hinting that “lightning could strike.” Shortly after, while arriving at his office via helicopter, Bill hears a mysterious voice that he tries to ignore. In his office, he experiences chest pains and hears the voice again, simply saying, “Yes.”
Meanwhile, Susan meets a captivating young man at a coffee shop who also mentions that “lightning may strike” between them. Intrigued yet startled, she leaves without getting his name. Unbeknownst to her, the young man is later involved in a tragic accident, struck by multiple cars.
That evening, Bill encounters the voice once more, and it summons him. Alone in a room, the voice materializes as Death, now inhabiting the body of the young man Susan met earlier. Death explains that Bill’s heartfelt words to his daughter had caught his attention. Impressed by Bill’s “competence, experience, and wisdom,” Death offers him a deal: as long as Bill serves as his guide on Earth, he will not have to die.
Returning to the dinner table, Bill introduces Death to his family as “Joe Black.” However, Joe Black, lacking human sophistication, struggles with basic tasks like eating, drinking, and understanding social norms. As he explores the grand house to adapt, Susan becomes increasingly curious about his intentions, sensing that something is off about his demeanor.
The film weaves themes of love, mortality, and human connection against the backdrop of Bill’s personal and professional life.
Cast director: Martin Brest
Cast actor: Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Claire Forlani, Jake Weber, Marcia Gay Harden, Jeffrey Tambor, June Squibb, Gene Canfield, Suzanne Hevner, Stephen Adly Guirgis
Original name: Meet Joe Black