Defending Your Life

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Defending Your Life

PG

1991

1h 52m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

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48 Reviews

83%

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10,000+ Ratings

Daniel Miller (Albert Brooks) isn't having a good week. For starters, he died after he got hit by a bus. Then he discovers that in the afterlife he must defend his actions on Earth in order to ascend to a higher plane of existence. While awaiting judgment, he falls in love with Julia (Meryl Streep), whose near-perfect life on Earth seemingly makes her a shoo-in for ascension. However, Daniel's actions in his lifetime might not be enough for him to move on.

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Critics Consensus

With Defending Your Life, writer-director-star Albert Brooks softens his trademark caustic humor -- and proves he's every bit as funny when he's tugging heartstrings.

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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

Jul 23

Defending Your Life might be defensible if it were more caustic and less cloying. But Brooks's wit is apparently on retirement pay while a newborn inspirationalism bounces forth, caterwauling, in its place.

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Derek Malcolm

Guardian

Jul 22

Alas the film is a distinct disappointment, somehow lacking the ironic flair of Lost in America and substituting a rather ponderous seriousness of tone.

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Hugo Davenport

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Jul 22

With such a pedigree, Defending Your Life should be a much better film than it is. For it is hard to escape the suspicion that an originally satirical intention has been sweetened in line with a national hunger for consolation about the hereafter.

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Philip French

Observer (UK)

Jul 22

By the time this Dantesque fork in the dark wood has been reached, Brooks is after tears, not laughter.

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Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

04/07/2025

a favorite. I love this movie

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Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

03/25/2024

9.5/10

It’s a bold, fascinating concept that feels true to the heart of someone like Brooks, a man who has made neuroses an integral part of his artistic brand.

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susan s

@susan485 Jan 19

My criteria for a good film is whether or not to "stays with me." Defending your life had that effect. Plus it got me thinking about how I might defend my life..........

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J C.

@JoeJoeJco Jan 13

One of a kind. At 62, I have watched it about every five years. It’s a gem.

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Tricia K

@Buff1980 Aug 6

After a promising opening scene that suggests the pace will crescendo and the laughs will roll out, this film flops down like a dead man trying to make love. On top of that, I never once bought that Streep's character was at all physically attracted to or in love with Brook's character, nada. (Her best films have her in aloof self-sufficiency, she has never sold me on her attempts to portray someone in love or falling in love). She is miscast, and I bet Streep would have made a better prosector than Lee Grant. Overall its a shame about this film, the concept could have actually been funny, and heartwarming, but it just falls into cliches and young male fantasies about the meaning of life and the purpose of soul.

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Reviewsrt@25 O

@RT47804167 03/24/2025

Another movie (in the first few minutes, in this case) where a male character states "you're born alone, you die alone" as though it is a universal truth. Usually a mother is involved at someone's birth.

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Stephen L

@RT02285025 03/24/2025

A smart, sincere and quietly hilarious look at the afterlife, Defending Your Life is one of the most overlooked comedies of its era. Albert Brooks writes, directs, and stars with a calm confidence, crafting a world as imaginative as it is grounded. Rip Torn and Lee Grant are perfectly cast as cosmic attorneys, and Meryl Streep is never more affable or disarming than she is here. The film moves quickly, explores deep ideas with ease and sticks its landing - even if the ending is predictable. A forgotten gem that absolutely holds up.

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David P

@RT09473903 02/20/2025

Albert Brooks creates an imaginative film of whimsy and the fears of life. The humor may be subtle, but it's there. Good performances, charming story, and a beautiful score make for a memorable viewing experience.

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Albert Brooks

Director

Albert Brooks

Daniel Miller

Meryl Streep

Julia

Rip Torn

Bob Diamond

Lee Grant

Lena Foster

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Synopsis

Daniel Miller (Albert Brooks) isn't having a good week. For starters, he died after he got hit by a bus. Then he discovers that in the afterlife he must defend his actions on Earth in order to ascend to a higher plane of existence. While awaiting judgment, he falls in love with Julia (Meryl Streep), whose near-perfect life on Earth seemingly makes her a shoo-in for ascension. However, Daniel's actions in his lifetime might not be enough for him to move on.

Director: Albert Brooks
Producer: Michael Grillo
Screenwriter: Albert Brooks
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures, Pioneer Entertainment
Production Co: Geffen Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 22, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 3, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.2M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby