# Meet Joe Black

> 1998 American film directed by Martin Brest

**Wikidata**: [Q676513](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q676513)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meet_Joe_Black)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/meet-joe-black

## Summary
Meet Joe Black is a 1998 American dark fantasy drama film directed by Martin Brest, starring Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt. The film explores themes of mortality, identity, and human connection through the story of Death personified, who assumes a human form to learn about life. Released in November 1998, it received mixed critical reviews but is notable for its unique narrative approach and performances.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: November 13, 1998 (U.S.), January 14, 1999 (Germany)
- **Director**: Martin Brest
- **Writers**: David S. Ward, Keith Buckley, Don Juan DeMarco (story)
- **Starring**: Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow
- **Genre**: Dark fantasy, drama, romance
- **Runtime**: 167 minutes (theatrical cut), 180 minutes (director's cut)
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Production Company**: Universal Pictures, City Light Films
- **Budget**: $90 million
- **Box Office**: $140.7 million (worldwide)
- **Ratings**: 
  - IMDb: 6.0/10
  - Rotten Tomatoes: 43% (critics), 48% (audience)
  - Metacritic: 32/100
- **Awards**: Bogey Award (Germany, 1999)
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 51 language editions
- **Wikidata ID**: Q1376480

## FAQs
**Who directed Meet Joe Black and who stars in it?**  
The film was directed by Martin Brest and stars Anthony Hopkins as Bill Parrish, Brad Pitt as Joe Black (Death), Jennifer Aniston as Susan Parrish, and Gwyneth Paltrow as Drew.  

**What is the critical and audience reception of the film?**  
Meet Joe Black received mixed reviews, with critics praising its ambition and performances but criticizing its pacing and runtime. It holds a 43% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 32/100 score on Metacritic, though audiences gave it a 48% approval rating.  

**What awards or recognition did the film receive?**  
The film won a Bogey Award in Germany in 1999, recognizing its box office performance.  

**How does the film’s runtime and editing differ between versions?**  
The theatrical cut runs 167 minutes, while a director’s cut extends to 180 minutes, reflecting Brest’s original vision.  

**What themes does the film explore?**  
The story delves into mortality, human connection, and the meaning of life, using Death’s journey in human form to examine philosophical and emotional questions.  

## Why It Matters
Meet Joe Black stands out for its ambitious narrative and unique blend of dark fantasy with dramatic character study. Despite polarizing reviews, it remains a notable entry in the careers of Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt, showcasing their performances in unconventional roles. The film’s exploration of existential themes and its memorable scenes—such as the iconic "toast" monologue—have contributed to its cult status. As a product of 1990s Hollywood, it reflects the era’s willingness to experiment with genre-blending storytelling, even at the risk of commercial uncertainty. Its legacy lies in its thought-provoking premise and the conversations it sparks about life, death, and human relationships.

## Notable For
- **Genre Hybrid**: Blends dark fantasy with philosophical drama and romantic elements.  
- **Critical Contrast**: Notable for divergent critical and audience reactions, with praise for ambition but criticism for pacing.  
- **Iconic Performances**: Brad Pitt’s portrayal of Death and Anthony Hopkins’ nuanced character work.  
- **Director’s Background**: Martin Brest’s follow-up to *Scent of a Woman* (1992), marking a shift toward more experimental storytelling.  
- **Cultural References**: Parodied in media like *Family Guy* and *The Simpsons*, cementing its pop culture footprint.  

## Body

### Production and Release
- **Director & Crew**: Directed by Martin Brest, written by David S. Ward, Keith Buckley, and Don Juan DeMarco (story).  
- **Cast**: Anthony Hopkins (Bill Parrish), Brad Pitt (Joe Black), Jennifer Aniston (Susan Parrish), Gwyneth Paltrow (Drew).  
- **Studio**: Produced by Universal Pictures and City Light Films, with a budget of $90 million.  
- **Release**: Premiered in the U.S. on November 13, 1998, and in Germany on January 14, 1999.  

### Plot and Themes
- **Premise**: Death (Joe Black) takes human form to learn about life, inhabiting the body of a man who dies in a car crash. He encounters Bill Parrish, a wealthy media mogul, and disrupts his family’s dynamics.  
- **Themes**: Mortality, identity, love, and the human condition, explored through Joe’s childlike curiosity and Bill’s midlife introspection.  

### Reception and Legacy
- **Box Office**: Grossed $140.7 million worldwide, underperforming relative to its budget but achieving moderate success.  
- **Critical Response**: Mixed reviews highlighted its ambition but criticized its length and pacing. Roger Ebert gave it 2/4 stars, while some praised Hopkins’ performance.  
- **Awards**: Won a Bogey Award in Germany for selling 1 million tickets.  
- **Cultural Impact**: Memorable scenes, such as the "I’m Joe Black" monologue, and its exploration of existential themes have fostered a dedicated fanbase.  

### Technical Specifications
- **Runtime**: Theatrical cut (167 minutes) and director’s cut (180 minutes).  
- **Ratings**: Rated PG-13 for brief violence, sensuality, and language.  
- **Music**: Score composed by Thomas Newman, released as a soundtrack album.  

### Connected Entities
- **Director Martin Brest**: Known for *Beverly Hills Cop* (1984) and *Scent of a Woman* (1992).  
- **Universal Pictures**: Distributor and producer, part of the film’s legacy within the studio’s 1990s catalog.  
- **Bogey Awards**: German award recognizing box office achievements, reflecting the film’s international reach.  

### Trivia and Miscellany
- **Cameos**: Danny DeVito appears uncredited as a voice on the phone.  
- **Filming Locations**: Shot in New York City, Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh.  
- **Script Development**: Based on a story by Don Juan DeMarco, with rewrites by David S. Ward and Keith Buckley.  
- **Post-Release**: Brad Pitt’s performance was both praised and criticized, with some viewing it as experimental and others as miscast.  

### Legacy and Influence
- **Cult Status**: Developed a cult following over time, with appreciation for its unique storytelling and thematic depth.  
- **Academic Interest**: Studied in film courses for its narrative structure and character development.  
- **Pop Culture References**: Featured in episodes of *The Simpsons* and *Family Guy*, ensuring its enduring recognition.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119643/)
2. [Source](http://www.sinemalar.com/film/915/joe-black)
3. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/joe-black)
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5. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film665055.html)
6. [Source](http://www.beyazperde.com/filmler/film-16774/)
7. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/meet-joe-black)
8. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119643/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm)
9. The Movie Database
10. Meet Joe Black. Rotten Tomatoes
11. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119643/releaseinfo)
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. Meet Joe Black
14. [Meet Joe Black. Box Office Mojo](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=meetjoeblack.htm)
15. Kinopoisk
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