"This is the one situation you knew you never could handle"

We know that one day, death will walk through our door, but we don't mean that literally. Neither did William Parrish (Anthony Parrish), but one night death whispers to him, and the next, there in his wonderful Olympus-high, two-storey library is death. Incarnate. Literally.

And let me tell you, Brad Pitt is an Angel of Death worthy of a Renaissance painter's brush.

At 176 minutes, this film is as long as Titanic without the action. Instead, the time is spent lovingly recording the characters' experiences. Which has attracted criticism from some who feel that the film needs a good cutting.

Personally, I was content to sit through the film, sniffling and enjoying Death's Starman-like exploration of the human body and experiences. As the young lawyer, Pitt gets to play the charming young man-of-our-dreams -- intelligent, comfortable, enthusiastic. As Death, he is wears his body (and clothes) awkwardly. Hopkins as the tycoon with the heart of gold is his usual wonderful self. Claire Forlani was a bit drippy -- playing 'luminous beauty' when more edge would have been more interesting.

Jeffrey Tambor as Quince in Meet Joe Black

On the other hand Jeffrey Tambor was an absolute joy. Playing Parrish's slow-and-steady son-in-law, he portrays a thoroughly nice man with the right blend of innocence and angst. Tambor's performance is one of the highpoints of the film. Make no mistake, this remake of Death Takes a Holiday is an unabashed tear-jerker. You need to be willing to let the story unfold slowly, but if you are, this film is a treat.

Death and taxes.