Defending Your Life (1991)
Defending Your Life (1991)
Defending Your Life Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Daniel Miller
as Julia
as Bob Diamond
as Lena Foster
as Dick Stanley
as Agency Head
as Jeep Owner
as Car Salesman
as Tram Guide
as Stan
as Porter
as Susan
as Soap Opera Woman
as Soap Opera Man
as Game Show Moderator
as Game Show Contestant
as Game Show Contestant
as Waitress
as Elderly Woman on Tram
as Helen
as Comedian
as Arthur
as Ernie
as Daniel's Judge
as Daniel's Judge
as Daniel as a Boy
as Bully
as Child in Schoolyard
as Daniel as an Infant
as Daniel's Father
as Daniel's Mother
as Steve
as Mr. Wadworth
as Sushi Hostess
as Head Sushi Chef
as Sushi Chef
as Sushi Chef
as Sushi Chef
as Frank
as Talk Show Host
as Talk Show Guest
as Casio Tipster
as Daniel's Date
as Daniel's Wife
as Used Car Salesman
as Used Car Salesman
as Sam
as Julia's Prosecutor
as Julia's Judge
as Julia's Judge
as Man in Past Lives Pavilion
as Woman in Past Lives Pavilion
as Victorian Girl
as Sumo Wrestler
as Native
as Knight
as Majestic Doorman
as Peter
as Stage Manager
as Banquet Manage
as Fire Marshal
as Julia's Daughter
as Julia's Son
as Maitre d'
as Eduardo
as Martin
as Ticket Counter Agent
as Tram Port Attendant
as Tram Port Attendant
as Tram Port Attendant
as Tram Driver
as Woman at Past Lives Pavilion
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Critic Reviews for Defending Your Life
All Critics (31) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (1) | DVD (2)
This is definitely Brooks's day in court, and he makes comic heaven of it.
The movie is funny in a warm, fuzzy way, and it has a splendidly satisfactory ending.
Albert Brooks' best movie...
Priceless comedy with a message-rich heart, mild swearing.
It could have just as easily been set in Dr. Freud's office, with his patient spilling his guts out on the couch.
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.
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.
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.
Super Reviewer
Daniel Miller: Why do you drive this? Jeep Owner: What? Daniel Miller: I'm curious. I see people driving these things. What do you know that I don't? Are floods coming? Hoover Dam broke? What's going on? Jeep Owner: I like this car. Daniel Miller: It's not a car, it's a battering ram. This is what Patton drove: "Hey you, soldier! Follow us!" Jeep Owner: Make fun, but in an 8.5 earthquake, you'll beg for a Jeep. Daniel Miller: In an 8.5 earthquake, I'll beg for a coffin. A very funny and original movie, with Albert Brooks at his best. The story itself is a neat concept, what happens when you die? No overdoing it, just a nice idea where people are sent to a place where things get determined for you in an orderly fashion. The idea is to repeat life until you sort of learn a deeper meaning and can move on. Brooks plays Daniel, a man who is killed at the beginning of the movie only to arrive in this afterlife setting. He is informed by his lawyer-type person, played by Rip Torn, that he will be judged based on clips from nine days of his life, and it will be determined whether he will be incarnated back on earth or move on. While not on trial, Daniel gets to move around this afterlife town known as Judgment City. During this time he meets a woman Julie, played by Meryl Streep. Many jokes in the movie come from how much better Streep's life was and how much better she is treated in Judgment City because of it. Daniel Miller: What is this? Julia: It's my hotel. Daniel Miller: This is your hotel? Julia: Yeah. Where are you staying? Daniel Miller: Obviously at the place for people that weren't very generous and didn't adopt anybody. I'm at the Continental. Come over one day; we'll paint it. The movie is very funny overall due to Brooks style of humor. The way he writes his comedy works so well and is helped even more so when Brooks gets himself into various stages of his conversations, observations, or arguments. Also very funny are the actual judgment scenes going between scenes from Daniel's life and the discussion afterward. Along with watching this movie for its story and humor, there are also various elements that hint at some deeper themes involving the thoughts on death and the assessment of life. The inclusion of a love interest and how that factors into the story is also effective. I've watched this movie many times and love it. Its a good premise, featuring solid work from Brooks as well as the supporting cast. The ideas introduced here are good setups for the movie's concept without going to deep. Its very entertaining and well done. Bob Diamond: Did we ever stop to think that this young boy had a bond with his father? I don't think it had anything to do with the friend. I just think Daniel couldn't lie to his dad. That's all. Lena Foster: You're nodding, Mr. Miller. Does that mean you agree with Mr. Diamond? Daniel Miller: Oh, yes. I had a bond with my father. I pretty much never lied to him. Lena Foster: You never lied to your father? Would you like me to show you at least 500 examples? Daniel Miller: I said "pretty much" never lied. I didn't say I never, ever lied. You have to lie sometimes... in an emergency. But, ah, it doesn't mean the bond is affected. If you've got the bond the bond is always there, and if you have to lie occasionally you're not going to interfere with the bond. You know, the bond can wait for a little lie and... in the end it's there for you... You know, sometimes in the middle of a lie I found that the bond would kick in... maybe squeeze a little truth out. Bob Diamond: Psst, wrap it up. Daniel Miller: I'm through.
Super Reviewer
Defending Your Life Quotes
| Comedian: | How did you die? |
| Daniel Miller: | On stage just like you! |
| Talk Show Guest: | this is what smart people eat? |
| Talk Show Guest: | This is what smart people eat? |
| Daniel Miller: | And you didn't want to toot your own horn |
| Daniel Miller: | And you didn't want to toot your own horn. |
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