Meet Joe Black (1998)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film: 181 minutes

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Director: Martin Brest

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt, Claire Foriani, Jake Weber, Marcia Gay Harden

IMDB Rank: 7.2/10

Part 1 Time: 104 Minutes

Part 2 Time: 77 Minutes

Where does the first part end? After the board meeting, Drew (Jake Weber) questions Bill (Anthony Hopkins) about the identity of Joe Black (Brad Pitt). Bill does not answer and as a result is forced to retire after his 65^th birthday, Parrish enterprises votes in favour of being taken over. 

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “It’s just life Quince, Wake Up and Smell the thorns” Drew says to Quince (Jeffrey Tambor) outside of the finished board meeting.

First line of dialogue on the second part:  “You’re Here” Susan Parrish to Joe Black by the indoor pool.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal – the mystery of what will happen with Bill’s Company is second to the relationship that is forming between Joe and Susan (Claire Forlani). What makes the audience want to watch the second part is how Joe and Susan’s relationship will continue to blossom and what impacts this will have.   

Which part is better? The first part with its the elements of mystery, humour and love. The audience is just as mystified by who Joe Black is as the characters in the story. Awkward dialog scenes between characters and Joe during the first tape add humour and mystery, which keeps the audience interested but also questioning what will happen next.       

Academy Awards: None