I am at a loss as to how rate this film. On the one hand, I thoroughly enjoyed watching it, on the other, there were a couple of occasions were it looked really wooden in the plot and acting.

The film was on BBC1 last night at 9pm as I settled down to watch a pic of a genre that I really like, i.e. fictional drama, yet the film did not entice me enough when it first came out to go the cinema and fork out £5 plus.

It stars two heavyweight, mega bucks stars in Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt. Hopkins' character, William (aka Bill) Parrish, is a multimillionaire publishing magnet, well known for his strength of character and resolve. When Bill suddenly starts hearing a voice talking to him (suffice to say, it is only audible by him), he seems to wonder what on earth is going on - quite logical really. A short while later, he is visited by none other than the Grim Reaper himself, who (if you can personify Mr. Death Instigator) has possessed the body of an enigmatic young man (Pitt), who, incidentally had already had a chance meeting with Parrish's younger, and more favoured, daughter Susan, played by Claire Forlani, and had flirted with her a little - I know I've lost you there, but try to keep up, no more twists, I promise.

The whole purpose of Death's plot is that by possessing a human body, he gets to experience some of our human materialistic desires in the flesh, while being affronted as the guest of Bill, thus granting him some time before taking his soul. Bill subsequently introduces Death as Joe Black (i.e. Pitt), thus the title of the film.

The storyline is both usual and unusual as it develops into a romantic tale between Pitt and Forlani, interspersed on the periphery with images of betrayal, business and opulence of the rich. The interaction between Hopkins and Pitt, and the development of their relationship from business-like to what I might hazard say, friendship, given the circumstances of their arrangement, is excellent as you are completely absorbed watching that you hardly notice the transition. The disappointing part is that Hopkins, who is more than capable as an actor, refuses to let emotion rule even a small part of him, barring a couple of occasions. Surely, when confronted with death, you show more fear and confusion, no matter how tough you are.

Pitt is his usual underrated self and even manages a great (though sometimes laughable) Caribbean accent in parts of the film.

The star of the show, for me, was Claire Forlani, who effortlessly depicted someone who falls 'head over heels' in love with the charismatic yet child-like Joe from the moment she sets eyes on him, hence the romantic interludes ensue between them both, which prove the forte of the film.

Verdict

On the whole, an excellent film, and though I wouldn't call it a classic, it is very enjoyable and emotionally provoking rather than thought provoking. The acting is top class, the plot is acceptable with a few guessable twists, but somehow, I think one is going to enjoy it less when in a happy mood than otherwise.

I would give it a rating of 4.5, but as that is not possible here, I'll round it to a wholesome 5.

Worth watching.