Movie provides enjoyable twist

By Rhonda Spies, Special to the Online Forty-Niner

Tuesday, November 17, 1998

"Meet Joe Black" is the story of media tycoon William Parrish, whose charmed life and orderly household are suddenly disrupted by the arrival of an enigmatic young man named Joe Black.

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MOVIE REVIEW

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The charming man proceeds to fall in love with Parrish's beautiful daughter, Susan. For Parrish, Susan and the rest of his family, the consequences of this romance are profound, complicated and bittersweet due to the fact that Black is actually the personification of death.

The movie stars Brad Pitt (Joe Black) and Anthony Hopkins (William Parrish) and is produced and directed by Martin Brest. The film co-stars Claire Forlani, Jake Weber, Marcia Gay Harden and Jeffrey Tamber.

Susan first encounters the mysterious man inside a coffee shop in downtown New York.

There are unexpected emotions that erupt, which complicate Susan's life because she is engaged to her father's assistant, Drew.

This is a significant moment for Susan because earlier that morning she had a conversation with her father about how important it is to find a relationship with passion and excitement. Her father said, "Who knows, lightning may strike."

This statement is significant because it is exactly what the young man says to her before they walk out of the coffee shop, but also, it would appear, each other's lives.

All the characters are multi-layered and have sincere characteristics. The film is a touching adventure of love and sacrifice.

The ultimate twist in the film is that it deals not only with the dark side of death, but also with its life-affirming aspects.