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Defending Your Life (1991)

 -  Comedy | Drama | Fantasy  -  22 March 1991 (USA)
7.1
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Ratings: 7.1/10 from 9,875 users  
Reviews: 80 user | 23 critic

In an afterlife resembling the present-day US, people must prove their worth by showing in court how they have demonstrated courage.

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Title: Defending Your Life (1991)

Defending Your Life (1991) on IMDb 7.1/10

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Agency Head
...
Jeep Owner
...
Car Salesman
...
Tram Guide
Peter Schuck ...
Stan
...
Porter
...
Sharlie Stuart ...
Susan
Beth Black ...
Soap Opera Woman
...
Soap Opera Man
Jim McKrell ...
Game Show Moderator (as James MacKrell)
Wil Albert ...
Game Show Contestant
Sage Allen ...
Game Show Contestant
...
Waitress
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Storyline

Yuppie Daniel Miller is killed in a car accident and goes to Judgment City, a waiting room for the afterlife. During the day, he must prove in a courtroom-style process that he successfully overcame his fears (a hard task, given the pitiful life we are shown); at night, he falls in love with Julia, the only other young person in town. Nights are a time of hedonistic pleasure, since you can (for instance) eat all you want without getting fat. Written by Jon Reeves <jreeves@imdb.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

The first true story of what happens after you die.

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

22 March 1991 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Visa al paraĆ­so  »

Box Office

Gross:

$16,371,128 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of Ethan Embry. See more »

Goofs

In the Italian restaurant, the waiter pours cheese on Daniel's broccoli. However, in the next scene there is no cheese on the broccoli. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Daniel Miller: I was driving to work this morning thinking I will be here, in 2 months, it'll be 10 years. And you're like my real family. Isn't that tragic.
[laughter]
Daniel Miller: I got a call from my mother this morning, she wished me a happy birthday, and hinted around the fact that I wasn't making enough money. If you can call "are ya still making the same salary, honey" a hint. And my ex-wife used to say the same thing, although she never used the name "honey".
[laughter]
Daniel Miller: So, maybe in three years I can ...
[...]
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Minority Report (2002) See more »

Soundtracks

"That's Life"
Written by Dean Kay and Kelly Gordon
See more »

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User Reviews

 
This is a MUST-SEE movie
4 March 2004 | by (Carlsbad, NM) – See all my reviews

OK, it may be a bit too romantic-comedy-like, but the one-liners and story concepts are excellent. Albert Brooks plays a very convincing confused dead guy trying to figure out how to justify his total lack of manlihood. Apparently, you can only go to the next level if you have no regrets in life. So, he must go to court to defend his life. Rip Torn couldn't be funnier. The whole story is a crack-up. Note the details in the surroundings. Things like billboards, items on desks, clothing, building architecture. It's all surrealistic. It's almost like it wasn't intended to be that way, but obviously, it was. Your gal will like this story for its romanticism, you'll like it for it's irony and comedy.


16 of 19 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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