MovieChat Forums > Meet Joe Black (1998) Discussion > Anthony Hopkins saved this film

Anthony Hopkins saved this film

posted 4 years ago by arflexit (2376)
9 replies | jump to latest

Without him it would be a very hard to sit through film; the acting from Pitt and Forlani is way too overacted almost at a soap opera level, the concept of the film only really works as like a short story (certainly not enough to justify 3 hours); but I really love this movie mostly because of Hopkins.

I especially love Hopkins delivery in the last few scenes, when he is done being pushed over by "death" and basically decides if he is going out it will be on his terms.

Parrish: (quoting Joe Black) "Multiplied by infinity and taken to the depths of forever and you will only have a glimpse of what I am talking about."

Joe Black: "Those are my words"

Parrish: "They're mine now."

I love it.

[–] Drooch (5333) 4 years ago

I agree. Meet Joe Black has always been the Hopkins show for me. Apparently he didn’t like Martin Brest’s multiple takes and could explode with rage at a moment’s notice - well, it doesn’t show, in fact it’s one of the best performances I’ve ever seen onscreen. It’s intense but subtle, absolutely magnetic.

Drew is also perfectly cast, and everyone else does a solid job. The visuals and music are sumptuous, it’s one if the most underrated films ever.

[–] arflexit (2376) 4 years ago

Interesting, I think the annoyance he had doing the film shows as in the film as an aspect of the character. Like he has something boiling in him. Hopkins's performance might have been enhanced by his annoyance.

Good point about Drew; the actor does do a really solid job; so does Jeffrey Tambor and MArcia Gay Harden; as the other poster below pointed out. It is mostly Pitt and Forlani that are too melodramatic and actually make the film somewhat difficult to sit through; like trying to sit through a 3 hour soap opera.

[–] Drooch (5333) 4 years ago

I think Pitt does a serviceable job, his glassy blue eyes hiding something otherworldly, and Forlani is just smoking hot, she hits the dramatic beats well but seems to be in a permanent state of emotional flux. I don’t mind their romance, but it’s very much secondary to the Hopkins show!

[–] arflexit (2376) 4 years ago

That is some fair points. IMO their acting and romance just came off a little to melodramatic; not something you'd expect out of the personification of 'Death' he was too, idk how to say it, innocent, naive maybe? And then Forlani was just so much more dramatic then any real person is; so it sort of fiddle with my willing suspension of belief. But in terms of actual performances, I think you are right both Pitt and Forlani are serviceable and yes Forlani is beautiful.

[–] Yabeina (185) 3 years ago

Yeah, Death was way too innocent. Did he never inhabit a body before? I have to believe it's the first time, cuz he is as naive as a child. Which I get is intentional, but I don't think it works. Where's the discussion of his retardation or mental illness? Well, I'm only halfway through the movie and I remember now why I didn't finish it the first time. Hopkins is amazing, and Pitt, after he dies and isn't charming anymore, is hard to watch and not that interesting, especially since people's reactions to him aren't that interesting. Bad script writing, I guess.

[–] rudeboymurray (3241) 4 years ago

Yes, he added some spark to the film. It was a pretty dull experience otherwise.

[–] arflexit (2376) 4 years ago

Yes, exactly; without him the movie would be somewhat unwatchable.

[–] huwdj (4562) 4 years ago

I've always found this film curiously watchable. I like Forlani and Pitt also Marcia Gay Harden and Jeffrey Tambor together. The only thing that doesn't work is Pitt's initial death as he cartwheels back and forth in mid air.

[–] arflexit (2376) 4 years ago

That is a good point about Harden and Tambor; they really delivered in their scenes. the actor who played Drew too; it is mostly Forlani and Pitt that are too melodramatic in their scenes. Almost the entire time Forlani looks like she is ready to break down in tears. So much so she doesn't even seem any different when she learns who Joe is and that her father is dead. She is almost exactly the same as the rest of the film. It is actually off putting a little bit. Also they try making Joe a little too 'innocent' for the eternal embodiment of death, he is more like a child.

As a side note; I find the scene were he is hit by the cars utterly hilarious.