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Defending Your Life

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6.9/10 • 263

1991-03-221h 52m

ComedyFantasyRomance

The first true story of what happens after you die.

Is there love after death? After he dies suddenly, the hapless advertising executive Daniel Miller finds himself in Judgment City, a gleaming way station where the newly deceased must prove they lived a life of sufficient courage to advance in their journey through the universe. As the self-doubting Daniel struggles to make his case, a budding relationship with the uninhibited Julia offers him a chance to finally feel alive.

Directors
Albert Brooks
Editors
David Finfer

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Albert Brooks

    Albert Brooks

    Daniel Miller

  2. Meryl Streep

    Meryl Streep

    Julia

  3. Rip Torn

    Rip Torn

    Bob Diamond

  4. Lee Grant

    Lee Grant

    Lena Foster

  5. Michael Durrell

    Michael Durrell

    Agency Head

  6. James Eckhouse

    James Eckhouse

    Jeep Owner

  7. Gary Beach

    Gary Beach

    Car Salesman

  8. Julie Cobb

    Julie Cobb

    Tram Guide

  9. Peter Schuck

    Peter Schuck

    Stan

Reviews1

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GenerationofSwine Avatar

GenerationofSwine

Jan 12, 2023

10/10

I remember when I was 12 or so, I woke up incredibly early (thank you Chicago Tribune TV Guide for helping me with missions like that) and went into the basement to record this off HBO. Then, shortly after I hit record I fell asleep on the couch and had the strangest freaking dream of my childhood because of the title of this film. Had nothing to do with the movie, I just remember it to this day so I'm rambling about it. Really though, it has a message, there is a moral to the story, but you aren't watching it for that. And when I was 11 or 12 I didn't record it for that. No, you're watching it because Albert Brooks is pretty funny and the film seems quirky and light hearted. And, honestly, it delivers. It's one of those increasingly rare films that announces what kind of movie that it is, makes promises for a happy ending, and delivers on it. There aren't really any surprises, you assume how the movie is going to end before you even sit down to watch it, and you're only really watching it in the first place because you feel the need to see that kind of story. And it delivers. It's fun in a quirky, dry, and understated way. It brings you into a fun little world, and it hits all the marks it promised to in the trailer, comedy, romance, happy ending. Everything else is just icing.

Media

  • Defending Your Life poster
  • Defending Your Life poster
  • Defending Your Life poster
  • Defending Your Life poster
  • Defending Your Life poster
  • Defending Your Life poster
  • Defending Your Life poster
  • Defending Your Life poster
  • Defending Your Life poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
$16,400,000.00
Keywords
afterlifeallegoryprosecutionheavensatirereincarnationcar accidentcourtroomadvertising agencypast life