Defending Your Life (2001)
Average Rating: 7.5/10
Reviews Counted: 28
Fresh: 27 | Rotten: 1
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 4
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 0
liked it
Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 9,106
Movie Info
Albert Brooks wrote, directed, and stars in this philosophical comedy about a man having a hard time making a case for himself in the afterlife. When advertising executive Daniel Miller (Albert Brooks) finds himself in a fatal car crash minutes after taking delivery on a new BMW, he's whisked away to Judgment City, where the recently dead are put on a sort of trial to decide their fate. If in your time on Earth you were able to face your fears and learn from your mistakes, you get to move on to
Mar 22, 1991 Wide
Apr 3, 2001
Warner Home Video
Watch It Now
Cast
-
Albert Brooks
Daniel Miller -
Meryl Streep
Julia -
Rip Torn
Bob Diamond -
Lee Grant
Lena Foster -
Buck Henry
Dick Stanley -
Shirley MacLaine
Herself -
Wil Albert
Game Show Contestant -
Newell Alexander
Julia's Judge -
Sage Allen
Game Show Contestant -
Gary Ballard
Mr. Wadworth -
Shana Ballard
Julia's Daughter -
Rachel Bard
Julia's Judge -
Jennifer Barlow
Talk Show Guest -
Gary Beach
Car Salesman -
Roger Behr
Comedian -
Carol Bivins
Daniel's Mother -
Beth Black
Soap Opera Woman -
Arell Blanton
Fire Marshall -
Bob Braun
Talk Show Host -
Ernie Brown
Ernie -
S. Scott Bullock
Daniel's Father -
Sidney Chankin
Used Car Salesman -
Cathleen Chin
Ticket Counter Agent -
Glen Chin
Sumo Wrestler -
Julie Cobb
Tram Guide -
Ron Colby
Majestic Doorman -
Clarke Coleman
Knight -
Joseph Darrell
Maitre d' -
Raffi Di Blasio
Daniel as a Boy -
Mark Dunlap
Tram Port Attendant -
Michael Durrell
Agency Head -
James Eckhouse
Jeep Owner -
Eric Ehasz
Child in Schoolyard -
Cliff Einstein
Julia's Prosecutor -
James Ekim
Native -
Greg Finley
Used Car Salesman -
Art Frankel
Arthur -
Dennis Germain
Tram Driver -
Mary Pat Gleason
Waitress -
Maxine Hicks
Woman on bus -
Kristopher Kent Hill
Bully -
Tommy Inouye
Sushi Chef -
Nurit Koppel
Daniel's Date -
Hal Landon Jr.
Man in Past Lives Pavil... -
Ida Lee
Woman in Past Lives Pav... -
Lillian Lehman
Daniel's Judge -
James MacKrell
Game Show Moderator -
Chris Macris
Julia's Son -
James Manis
Eduardo -
Joey Miyashima
Casio Tipster -
Mary Mukogawa
Sushi Hostess -
Clayton Norcross
Soap Opera Man -
James Paradise
Stage Manager -
Samee Park
Sushi Chef -
Jerry Prell
Banquet Manager -
David Purdham
Peter -
Marilyn Rockafellow
Helen -
Vernon Roguen
Tram Port Attendant -
Matthew Scharch
Daniel as an Infant -
Peter Schuck
Stan -
Lisa Sears
Tram Port Attendant -
Alex Sheafe
Martin -
Kagko Shikami
Sushi Chef -
Toshio Shikami
Head Sushi Chef -
Sharlie Stuart
Susan -
Ken Thorley
Frank -
Noley Thornton
Victorian Girl -
-
George D. Wallace
Daniel's Judge -
Susan Walters
Daniel's Wife -
Tim Winters
Porter -
-
-
Ethan Randall
Steve -
-
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All Critics (31) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (27) | Rotten (1) | DVD (11)
The movie is funny in a warm, fuzzy way, and it has a splendidly satisfactory ending.
Top CriticThis is definitely Brooks's day in court, and he makes comic heaven of it.
Though visually impressive, the film shows problems with tonality, which veers from outright comedy to earnest therapy session--the "seize the day" lesson is not strong enough for a full-length picture.
An underrated gem that explores the long-term consequences of our everyday actions.
A sweet, mildly profound romantic comedy.
It just gives us a satisfying idea of what life's really about, while remaining a smart comedy with an edge.
Interminable, typical Albert Brooks
One of Brooks' warmest and wittiest projects. Nice to see such a soft side of Streep.
This is a comedy that has something on its mind.
...mild, amiable, laid-back ribbing....witty and insightful.
Witty writing and fine performances by the ensemble cast make Defending Your Life into a total delight.
One of the funniest and most clever comedies that I've seen released this decade.
Hands-down my favorite Brooks (Albert) movie.
With Defending Your Life, Brooks has made his best, most fully realized film, a hysterical look at the afterlife.
Audience Reviews for Defending Your Life
Super Reviewer
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- Talk Show Guest: This is what smart people eat?
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- Daniel Miller: And you didn't want to toot your own horn.
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Movie: ID: 10363 Title: Defending Your Life Release Date: 1991-03-22 00:00:00.0 MPAA: 2 Status: 1
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There seems to be a hidden layer of stupidity in those who move on - like that their diet consists of dirt and worms, or the substitute lawyer who uses 43% of his brain but doesn't say a word in court to defend Daniel - but they're just sight gags that don't come to fruition.