The story "Meet Joe black" is quite similar to the director's previous movie "Scent of a movie". The only big difference is that the latter focuses more on Al Pacino and Chris O'Neil dialogues, while the former has more love scenes.
Death wants to explore why humans are afraid of him, so he incarnates as a beautiful man, carefully selects the well-known and respected billionaire William Perish, and comes to his home to observe his life, but unexpectedly falls in love with Perish's youngest daughter Susan. Death and human beings, can their love have a perfect happy ending?
This is the story of "Meet Joe Black". Although, there is death, a fantasy element,
but it is still a literary romance. Therefore, the major factor needed for the whole movie to succed is a perfect chemistry between lead actors. They must look perfect and so much in love with each on the screen, only this way the beautifully crafted lines can be useful and movie can succed.
Eve was given a brief paragraph of the script to prepare for the audition in a while. She took the script and read the lines. It is of the first encounter between Joe (Death) and Suzan. The lines are quite simple, so the only thing that matters is the way how she portrays it.
While Eve was revising the lines, another person sat on the seat beside her. She looked up, it was Brad with another page in his hand.
Brad suggested raising the page in his hand: "Wanna practice the lines before the official audition?"
Eve was a little surprised by the sudden generosity, but nodded: "Okay, thanks." No matter what other person's motives might be, they're at least helpful to her.
After an hour, Eve finally entered the audition room for the offical room for the audition.
There were six people sitting infront of the only table in the room. Director and Screenwriter of the movie, Martin Beast, Oscar winning actor Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt who just helped her practice the lines a while ago, Universal Executive Sicily Jones, Producer Jim Savitz, and lastly, a member of screen actors union.
Martin Beast looked at the today's candiate for audition, observing it in his mind. 'She's indeed beautiful and would fit the image of Suzan quite well. Anyway, let's the audition first.' He spoke: "Okay, let's start the audition. Brad, will you?"
Hearing director's words, Pitt stood up and and went to Eve.
The offical audition started.....
Susan came to a coffee shop counter, asking for a coffee. After ordering her coffee, she sits on the chair to wait for her order.
A second person sits on the chair beside her, calling her: "Can you pass the sugar?"
Susan turns around: "Here you go." She passes him the sugar.
Joe smiles: "You look familiar."
A surprise appears on Susan's face: "Really"
'They look so beautiful together.' That's the thought that ran in everyone's mind. The simple conversation between Pitt and Thompson gives such a romantic atmosphere, so how romantic would be the actual romantic scenes.
There were on expressions on Director's face, and it felt like he was watching the audition carefully, but only he knows how happy he was inside. 'That's the effect he wanted.' A simple jesture between the actors should be no less than a romantic talk.
"Meet Joe Black'" is not only his first film in five years since the great success of "Scent of a Woman" in 1992, but also an idea he has been brewing for nearly 20 years. The film was inspired by an old movie "Death Needs a Vacation" adapted from a broadway play in 1934. As early as the ৪0s, he had been looking for someone to work together to adapt the script, and planned to retell the story on the big screen.
Of course, he understands the risks of it. "Meet Joe Black" despite falling into the category of commercial films, ultimately is just a genuine literary romance movie. So if he wants to make the movie successful enough to make a profit, then the basic condition is to have a lead cast with perfect chemistry. Their passion should burn so strong that audience can't get out of it till the movie ends.
So after dozens of searches and auditions, he still had only found his ideal male lead, Brad Pitt. While the female lead's search was still going. But the problem is studio. They have already given the deadline that if he can't find an actress till the end of year, then the studio will select the actress itself. But fortunately, now he has found his perfect dream cast.
After the audition ended, Eve looked at the director and other members to see if she could get any reposne from their expressions, but to her disappointment, all the faces were blank.
Brad saw his auditioning partner's worry, and spoke lightly in her ear: "Don't worry. You were excellent."
Eve heard the voice and looked at the face close to her. He's too handsome and gentle too. Its different from his media image. "Thanks"
The producer broke the silence in the audition room: "Okay, you can leave. We will inform your agent the results soon."
Eve nodded, and exited the audition room. As soon as she left the audition room, a discussion broke out.
Director Martin Beast directly gave his verdict: "She is the Susan I want, no one else."
Producer Jim Savitz was a little surprised by director's immediate decision, but agreed with him: "I too agree."
Executive Sicily felt a little headache. It's not that there was any problem with the audition. She could also see that the pairing looked good, but the problem is that Eve Thompson is a hot potato now. Casting her in such a big budget movie could lead to the backlash after Fox's titanic sinks.
She looked toward the lead actors of the movie Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt for a suggestion, but that too disappointed her.
"Eve Thompson is okay."
"She is good."
In end, she also had to raise her head in surrender: "If that's what everyone wants, then so be it."
After the audition, the moment Brad Pitt exited the studio, he was stopped by his agent. "Tell me, what's all this about?"
Brad was a little confused: "What"
"You know what I am talking about. The sudden over kindness with Eve Thompson, don't tell me you were just being kind. You are already in quarrel with Gwen these days, and instead of sorting things out with her, you are doing things that would make her even more angry. You know her thoughts about Thompson, she doesn't like her one bit, no, infact she hates Thompson."
Brad listened to the whole lecture quietly and then replied: "Sam, the thing is, it doesn't have anything do with Gwen's like or dislikes, wether with whom I am kind or in quarrel with."
After that, he quickened his pace, leavung the shocked agent behind.
In his car, Brad thought about his disscussion with his agent. In fact, the reason why he was kind to Eve Thompson is because of just curiouisty about her, and it's also related to Gwen. In the past few months, all of topics of Gwen are related to Eve in one way or another. According to her, Eve Thompson is the most mean, arrogant and pretentious girl ever.
This generated quite a curiosity in him. After all, making Gwenyth Partlow so obsessed with oneself is not an easy task. So, when he met Eve today, he just wanted to verify Gwenyth's thoughts. But surprisingly, the results he found were exact opposite. The Eve Thompson he met today is just a shy, innocent and overly fearful girl of surroundings. Despite having tremendous talent and being breathtakingly beautiful, there in her about it. Maybe she doesn't even realise these facts.