2. Meet Joe Black (1998)
This film is almost the definition of a film with a mixed critical opinion, holding a 51% approval rating on rottentomatoes.com, however Roger Ebert, the legendary film critic gave it two thumbs up, and in many respects I agree. Whatever your opinion of the film, it is difficult to argue that it doesn't have a real emotional punch. This film is also particularly emotional for men (particularly those who aren't open with their feelings) because the films plot follows a man past middle aged who literally has to deal with death, who comes to visit him in a human body before taking his life. Brad Pitt (Joe Black aka Death) is particularly good in his role as a legendary spirit experiencing an unfamiliar human life, despite taking away lives of humans on a regular basis. Sure, the film is slow paced, and oddly surreal, but it's power comes from posing questions and making you reflect upon your life and your life's choices, as you watch Anthony Hopkins do the exact same thing. All human beings fear their own mortality and the idea of knowing that your time is up, and actually having to face the man that effectively is going to take that precious life away from you is a fascinating dynamic to watch between the two great actors. If you haven't seen the film it probably sounds all mumbo-jumbo to you, and I guess a lot of it is, but at the same time it doesn't feel like a fantasy film, and for the most part the film is just a very gentle, reflective piece exploring not only what it means to be human, but what it means to be living. As with most of these films, a breathtaking score helps to get the water ducts flowing, and Thomas Newman's end theme score to this movie is certainly no exception. The final scene, in which death takes Anthony Hopkins away, shown as the two of them simply walk across a bridge and out of sight as fireworks explode behind in celebration of the Anthony Hopkins characters 65th birthday isn't overly sentimental (surprisingly), and doesn't force you to feel emotional, you just do. Most of us are afraid of dying, and this film explores that universal, very human theme in a way no film really has before. The simple exchange of sentences between Hopkins character and Pitt's Death just before the final scene addresses this fear perfectly when Hopkins asks "Should I be afraid?" and Joe Black simply and calmly replies "Not a man like you". You have to watch the film to really appreciate the simplistic beauty in it, and despite it's mixed reviews, I truly recommend you do. It has me in tears everytime.