Review of Meet Joe Black (1998) by Emer L — 20 Mar 2013

I first became aware of this movie only because of the soundtrack that first contained "Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World" that was the only way to get the Israel Kamakawiwo'ole version during that time.

Since then this movie has been on my watchlist as I am a great fan of Sir Anthony Hopkins. Did not realize until then that this is a remake of "Death Takes a Holiday" while also containing the orchestral arrangement of "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong, in which I was searching for a more stereo version at that time, and finding out Armstrong's recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, posthumously.

Seeing the critic's harsh reviews did not deter me from enjoying this strange but finally glad to see movie! Movies that make you continue to think after you watch them only satisfies and Hopkin's genius contributions along with Brad Pitt and Claire Forlani only give me even more respect to them as actors.

The two plus hour version should be the only version to watch to truly understand what Hopkin's character went through. Not sure about Pitt's comparison to his Benjamin Button persona but you just have to watch his every move and read close caption details to not miss how Pitt conveys his character's "discoveries".

This is a surprisingly feel good movie about death that cannot be said of most movies! Memorable and epic!