5 Responses to “Death Takes a Holiday”

• By Paula on Jul 27, 2010

  Since seeing MJB, I have been anxiously waiting for AMC to play its predecessor, DTAH. Unfortunatley , this was never shown, and I so enjoyed MJB that I purchased DTAH so that I could finally see the original. I am happy to have this in my video library because of my enjoyment of old B&W films, but don’t see myself viewing it very often. On the other hand, I intend to purchase MJB for my furture enjoyment. The Academy Awards missed their opportunity when they passed up the musical score of MJB. This is some of the most stupendous music I have ever heard, and matches the content of the film to a tee! We all know that Anthony Hopkins is, and will always be, an elite actor, but I think that those who dismiss Brad Pitt as a “pretty boy” are missing an acting elegance that few match. I believe that Brad Pitt will eventually be known as one of our acting greats. In MJB, his diversity of character is excellent. He can go grom a naive schoolboy act to deathly cold in just a blink of an eye, and his performance emanates truth and sincerity. I love the classics, but not in this case. MJB wins hundreds of percents over DTAH! Paula
  Rating: 2 / 5
• By Betty Burks on Jul 27, 2010

  We, as human beings, search for the meaning in bad things which happen to us, and we may find our belief systems just don’t hold up anymore. Finding meaning is not the same as finding rewards. “During a lenghty illness, we have a chance to make life changes while the person is still alive — and we may be much readier to ‘move on’ that those dealing with a sudden death. We have to consider the unexpectedness of an auto accident which takes the life of a young person, which brings anguish due to the circumstances. We could not say goodbye or tell the loved one how much we love them. It’s an overwhelming reality which leads to extreme sadness.

  Those who are having trouble finding direction “may have hidden anger, which can masquerade as depression.” One widow divulged, “I have this hangover of a depression and have been diagnosed with post-traumatic disorder…have flashbacks and nightmares.” Certain areas of one’s life take longer to heal than others. “A lot of time goes toward digging deep in the wound and getting out the infection.” One mother admitted, “Every year for Christmas, I still get a game for my kids” even though they are past the age for such games. The main thing is to stay active and creative; see yourself as someone with something to offer the world. Staying connected with others, which those in bad relationships sometimes forfeit for the sake of peace is critical for mental health.” Don’t take anything for granted. We have to help ourselves to ‘let go’ and ‘move on’ to pursue our own lives. Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be fulfilling. “Letting go of my desires, of believing I knew best, and just spreading my wings, was my spiritual awakening.” Spirituality forged during desperate times “is uniquely meaningful.” Although our culture generally sees death and bereavement in negative terms, “there is a richness to the grief process that is seldom acknowledged.”

  Sometimes we grow not by learning lessons from the dead but by dealing with the aftermath of a death.” The more you think about others in terms of a higher power as practiced in the principles of Al-Anon, the more peace you have. “It helped me forgive myself for not being able to help her more.”

  Here is a good metaphor for the year following a loved one’s death: “When you plant winter wheat, you look around, everything is bleak. You plant it, and nothing happens…but, when you least expect it, the following spring — there it is!” Ofttimes, a sign appears to ease the pain such as a “glorious shooting star as it cross the dark, winter sky.” After seeing the star, “I began to think that there was something beyond myself…the possibility that our spirits and the spirits of human beings everywhere remain connected even after death.”

  Some lingering slow deaths bring a sense of relief to the person left behind: such losses can sometimes transform our lives in dramatic and positive ways. Barbara Wood, in her book GOOD GRIEF, wrote: “The realisation can not only be liberating but also prevents long-term feeling of alienation, especially in situations like the loss of a parent.” My dad’s death, though I was no part of it, enabled me to return to a place I loved where life was good for me, growing up with a fierce independence and determination. After some hardships, I met the right people to set me on a path to make a public service poor folks in particular need to survive a little better. God had a mission for me in my hometown, and the unsettled life prepared me for the task of speaking up for others. God does indeed work in mysterious ways.
  Rating: 3 / 5
• By Anonymous on Jul 27, 2010

  I haven’t seen the film, but it always bothers me when people spell other people’s names wrong. Probrably because it always happends to me. Frederic March’s name has no k at the end of his first name. Thank you.
  Rating: 5 / 5
• By JOHN GODFREY on Jul 27, 2010

  “Death Takes a Holiday” is merely boring. This is not a knock on Fredric March or Brad Pitt, both fine actors. It is simply creepy yet too one dimensional to be taken seriously. A play that did not transfer well. As for Death, aparently he likes to vacation with the stupid, idle, rich rather than real people. Ironically, these stiffs are already half dead. They have nothing to say yet prattle on endlessly about it. Death isn’t much better. I fell asleep & had to rewind a bit. It didn’t matter. Such excellent suject matter squandered twice 64 years apart. I really do like the old movie classics. This one… disappointing.
  Rating: 2 / 5
• By Anonymous on Jul 27, 2010

  Death Takes a Holiday only hints at the depth of emotion that Meet Joe Black investigates. Still, it’s a sweet way of looking at life from a 1930s viewpoint. The location is one-note, insulating you (and Death?) from seeing life and love from the worldly viewpoint shown in MJB. The family relationships and friendships are fairly one-dimensional, another place that MJB beats DTAH hands-down. Frederick March carries himself with a stiff formality that I expected from Death, and his performance didn’t disappoint. On the other hand, I found Brad Pitt’s performance superior, thanks to his ability to combine that kind of formality with a naive wonder of what life–and love–really meant. All in all, it’s worth seeing because the basic idea is so intriguing. See Meet Joe Black and make your own comparison.
  Rating: 3 / 5

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