Meet Joe Black

Meet Joe Black (1998)

Information at Internet Movie Database
Cinema in Focus, a social and spiritual commentary by Hal Conklin and Denny Wayman.
Movie Parables review.
Review, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality & Health - Spiritual Practices for Human Being.
Themes
- Death
  - Anthony Hopkins awakens at the beginning of "Meet Joe Black" to a voice simply saying "yes." The voice continues and Hopkins ultimately meets the source of the voice - no other than Death itself appearing in the movie in the physical body of Brad Pitt. And Hopkins' question which "yes" answers is no other than "Am I going to die?"
    In the movie, Death is prepared to take Hopkins but first wants Hopkins to be his tour guide on earth. As long as Death is enjoying its experience on earth, it will delay taking Hopkins who is a rich and successful businessman. So Hopkins is forced to have "Joe Black" (as he names him for his friends and family) at his side and in his house for the last days of his life. Of course, it becomes complicated when Death falls in love with Hopkins daughter. And, of course, she falls in love with him as well.
    
    It is a long movie - about three hours - but worth the watch. It deals with what we all will face someday and how a person should respond to the reality of his/her own death. An obvious sermon idea is that all of us have a "Joe Black" living with us everyday whether we admit it or not because we all are going to die.
    
    There is a good section which would work for a Sunday sermon example when Hopkins first meets Death is his library. The entire movie could be viewed followed by discussion time - not a Sunday worship setting of course.
    
    The movie is not Christian in content yet it is still very powerful indeed. (Jim Bane)

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