Date Viewed: 2/5/99

Score: +

The Review: A sometime literary theme, here death is not an event, but an avatar, an incarnation, or an office -- personified, even if not completely human. And people occasionally want to take vacations and see how the other half lives. A remake of Death Takes a Holiday (1934, but still unavailable on video) with Anthony Hopkins as the charming if reluctant host, Brad Pitt in the title role, and Clare Forlani as Hopkins' daughter, who inevitably becomes increasingly attracted to Pitt's character. Sure, this version is incredibly long and drawn out, but its glitz conceals well the passing of movie time, and there are continuing touches of humor from culture shock. I saw this with German sub-titles, which actually makes it easier to understand some of the quieter Jamaican patois; so listen carefully.

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