Opening

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—— The Haunting of Helena Jun 21

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—— How To Make Money Selling Drugs Jun 26
—— White House Down Jun 28
—— The Heat Jun 28
56% I'm So Excited! Jun 28

Defending Your Life (2001)

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No Score Yet...

Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 4
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 0

audience

76

liked it
Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 9,106

My Rating

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

PG,

Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

Albert Brooks

Apr 3, 2001

Warner Home Video

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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.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

This is definitely Brooks's day in court, and he makes comic heaven of it.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post
Washington Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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.

June 12, 2006 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com
EmanuelLevy.Com

An underrated gem that explores the long-term consequences of our everyday actions.

August 18, 2005

A sweet, mildly profound romantic comedy.

May 18, 2003
Needcoffee.com

It just gives us a satisfying idea of what life's really about, while remaining a smart comedy with an edge.

September 10, 2002 Full Review Source: Montreal Film Journal
Montreal Film Journal

Interminable, typical Albert Brooks

August 21, 2002 | Comments (10)
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

One of Brooks' warmest and wittiest projects. Nice to see such a soft side of Streep.

August 12, 2002 | Comment (1)
eFilmCritic.com

This is a comedy that has something on its mind.

January 9, 2002 Full Review Source: Movieline
Movieline

...mild, amiable, laid-back ribbing....witty and insightful.

July 19, 2001
Movie Metropolis

Witty writing and fine performances by the ensemble cast make Defending Your Life into a total delight.

April 11, 2001 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice
Spirituality and Practice

One of the funniest and most clever comedies that I've seen released this decade.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews
rec.arts.movies.reviews

Hands-down my favorite Brooks (Albert) movie.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com
Filmcritic.com

With Defending Your Life, Brooks has made his best, most fully realized film, a hysterical look at the afterlife.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Audience Reviews for Defending Your Life

A sweet fantasy into a weigh-station where the departed make cases for whether they lived fearless lives, and after judgment, they move onto greener, more intelligent pastures or get reincarnated back to Earth. I'm not a fan of Meryl Streep, but she is angel bright as the fearless Julia.

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.
January 3, 2013
aliceinpunderland

Super Reviewer

An imaginative, hilarious look at an ad-man (Albert Brooks) killed in a car accident and sent to a purgatory-type afterlife, where he awaits judgment concerning if he lived a good life or not in order to see if he will be granted access into Heaven. If he isn't, he'll be sent back to Earth to live another life again. Albert Brooks really nails this from every angle - writing, directing, and acting, this is a genius film. It doesn't quite keep up the same momentum is has during its last half hour or so, but this is a mostly great comedy which features a great premise, and one that is executed soundly in almost every conceivable aspect. The ending is a strange one but fitting in a weird way. It's also very re-watchable thanks to its ability to get huge laughs, while at the same time possessing the skill to know when to become serious when time calls for it.
October 15, 2010
Dan Schultz

Super Reviewer

    1. Talk Show Guest: This is what smart people eat?
    – Submitted by Chuck C (18 months ago)
    1. Daniel Miller: And you didn't want to toot your own horn.
    – Submitted by Chuck C (18 months ago)

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