Meet Joe Black (1998)

Director:

Martin Brest

Writers (WGA):

Ron Osborn (screenplay) &
Jeff Reno (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

13 November 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Fantasy | Mystery | Romance | Drama

Tagline:

He's Expecting You.

Plot:

A media mogul acts as a guide to Death, who takes the form of a young man to learn about life on Earth and in the process, fall in love with his guide's daughter.

Plot Keywords:

Pedestrian | Love | Husband Wife Relationship | Stylized | Coronary

Awards:

2 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Brad Pitt	...	Joe Black / Young Man in Coffee Shop
Anthony Hopkins	...	William Parrish
Claire Forlani	...	Susan Parrish
Jake Weber	...	Drew
Marcia Gay Harden	...	Allison
Jeffrey Tambor	...	Quince
David S. Howard	...	Eddie Sloane
Lois Kelly-Miller	...	Jamaican Woman
Jahnni St. John	...	Jamaican Woman's Daughter
Richard Clarke	...	Butler
Marylouise Burke	...	Lillian
Diane Kagan	...	Jennifer
June Squibb	...	Helen
Gene Canfield	...	Construction Foreman
Suzanne Hevner	...	Florist

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for an accident scene, some sexuality and brief strong language.

Runtime:

178 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | South Korea:15 | Philippines:PG-13 | Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Germany:6 (w) | Hong Kong:IIA | Hungary:14 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:7 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Aldrich Mansion - 836 Warwick Neck Avenue, Warwick, Rhode Island, USA

Company:

City Light Films

Trivia:

The trailer borrows music from the score of Apollo 13 (1995).

Goofs:

Continuity: The exterior shots of the helicopter are of a Sikorsky S-76. However, the interior shots are of a larger helicopter, possibly something equivalent to a Sikorsky S-92 (the executive model S-76 typically has only 2 rows of rear seats that face each other).

Quotes:

Joe Black: Don't be feisty, sista.
Jamaican Woman: I not be feisty mista. You com' for me that's good news.
Joe Black: Can do no right by people. I com' to take you you want to stay - I leave you stay, you want to go.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in I Want Candy (2007)

Soundtrack:

Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World

A Truly Enchanting Movie!

Meet Joe Black is a beautiful film with a talented cast. Because it is unique, the plot enables humor to be weaved within the dramatic and romantic elements. The music, composed by Thomas Newman (Shawshank Redemption, Erin Brokovich) truly enhances the movie. The many string and piano melodies are beautiful, and fit smoothly. There are so many memorable moments, like father-daughter conversations, and the scene in the coffee shop. Brad Pitt, in his portrayal of Death,displays naive and vulnerable feelings, skillfully in sharp contrast his behavior at the beginning of the film. While some criticize its length and unrealistic aspects of the plot, I found it to be so captivating and quite well-made. Meet Joe Black has an indescribable effect on me whenever I watch it. The story of Death being apprentice to a respected, accomplished man makes one realize the simple beauties of life-- passion, family, love... and peanut butter.