4. Meet Joe Black- Joe Black/The Guy in the Coffee Shop
If Im going to cop any flak for this list, itll probably be over this one. But screw it, Im going to go for it anyway. Though
Meet Joe Black is overlong and in need of a good editor, Id still argue that there were excellent performances smattered throughout. Anthony Hopkins was excellent as Elliot Parish (if only for his vocal work when Joe takes on his guise) and was well complimented by Jeffrey Tambor, Marcia Gay Harden and Claire Forlani. However, the film rides on its titular character, and its a difficult burden for Pitt to shoulder. After all, hes playing Death- an unstoppable, immortal force- through a human host after he suddenly (and hilariously) cops it. Though Pitt came in for a lot of stick for not
looking convincing as an omnipotent figure, Id argue that was kind of the point. Joe is supposed to look youthful and fresh-faced, thus highlighting the paradox between his outward appearance and the omniscience that inhabits it. When we consider this, its possible to argue that this is one of Pitts greatest dramatic performances. He exudes a coldness and stillness belying his movie-star looks and obvious charm. Its made all the better due to his original portrayal of the cocky young guy in a coffee shop who Joe takes on as a shell. It starts out as a Brad Pitt performance before turning into something else entirely. Joe is magnificently brought to life, his obvious lack of humanity shown by marrying a child-like naiveté (he loves peanut butter) to a penchant for selfishness and blithely reeling out threats of impossible magnitude. In fact, his very presence in the film is utterly insidious; hes literally a walking reminder for Anthony Hopkins that his death is imminent. But he isnt evil. After all, hes not even human, and Pitt conveys this maelstrom of nuance brilliantly. Its actually quite a feat to makes this incorporeal shade of amorality at all sympathetic, but Pitt really does manage it. He makes something that isnt even human grow as a character, and thats quite an accomplishment.