IMDb >
Defending Your Life (1991)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsDefending Your Life (1991) More at IMDbPro »
| Videos (see all 2) |
|
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Albert Brooks (written by)
Release Date:
22 March 1991 (USA)
more
Tagline:
The first true story of what happens after you die.
Plot:
In an afterlife resembling the present-day US, people must prove their worth by showing in court how they have demonstrated courage. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
3 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Exclusive: Logan Lerman Talks 'My One and Only' and 'Gamer'
(From CinemaSpy. 20 August 2009, 9:45 PM, PDT)
Streep Nom #9 and Act III: Funny Lady
(From FilmExperience. 11 July 2009, 9:59 AM, PDT)
(From CinemaSpy. 20 August 2009, 9:45 PM, PDT)
Streep Nom #9 and Act III: Funny Lady
(From FilmExperience. 11 July 2009, 9:59 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
An amazing and unique commentary on life and death
more (76 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Albert Brooks | ... | Daniel Miller |
 | Michael Durrell | ... | Agency head |
 | James Eckhouse | ... | Jeep owner |
 | Gary Beach | ... | Car salesman |
 | Julie Cobb | ... | Tram guide |
| Peter Schuck | ... | Stan |
 | Time Winters | ... | Porter |
 | Rip Torn | ... | Bob Diamond |
| Sharlie Stuart | ... | Susan |
| Beth Black | ... | Soap opera woman |
| Clayton Norcross | ... | Soap opera man |
| Jim McKrell | ... | Game show moderator |
| Wil Albert | ... | Game show contestant |
| Sage Allen | ... | Game show contestant |
 | Mary Pat Gleason | ... | Waitress |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
112 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:L |
USA:PG (certificate #30916) |
Argentina:13 |
Chile:14 |
Finland:S |
Australia:PG |
Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The Hall of Past Lives is actually the old Fluor Daniel building in Irvine, California.
more
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): In the Past Lives Pavilion, as the subjects walk to their viewing booths, the overhead asks them to proceed to the "first available booth on the left." The subjects actually proceed to the last available booth.
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 double my income?
Agency head: Good luck.
Daniel Miller: Four years? Okay. So, you're great people to work with, and this is a great present, and I wish I could squeeze all of you into one pretty woman.
[laughter]
Daniel Miller: And if you'd like to go to my office, I'll drive.
[...]
more
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 double my income?
Agency head: Good luck.
Daniel Miller: Four years? Okay. So, you're great people to work with, and this is a great present, and I wish I could squeeze all of you into one pretty woman.
[laughter]
Daniel Miller: And if you'd like to go to my office, I'll drive.
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "The O'Reilly Factor: (2008-02-14)" (2008)
more
Soundtrack:
Something's Coming
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (76 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Defending Your Life (1991) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Heaven Can Wait | Anatomy of a Murder | Enchanted | Chicago | Ek Hasina Thi |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |
Defending Your Life is one of those movies that has stuck with me over the years for some reason. The most likely one is that this film presents one of the most plausible and thought-provoking views of the afterlife that I have ever heard from a movie, or anywhere else for that matter. The protagonist (Brooks) dies and wakes up in Judgement City, where it's just like earth, only 70 degrees and clear all the time, and you can eat all of the most delicious food in existence that you want and not gain a pound.
The catch is that you are essentially placed on trial. Several random days from your like are examined, and the judges decide whether you will "move on", or be sent back to earth to try again. The most interesting thing to me is that you aren't judged according to how well you followed the commandments, but on whether you let your fear keep you from making the right choices in your life. You see, fear is what keeps those of us on Earth (comically referred to as "little brains") from realizing our full potential.
As great as this theory is, it's the character played by Albert Brooks that makes this film worth watching. We can sense his bewilderment, as well as his shame at not living his life as well as he could have. In fact, it is so easy to empathize with his character that I felt sorry for him, seeing myself in his place one day. But Don't get me wrong, Defending Your Life is also a very funny movie. Judgement City is a sort of parallel reality to our own, in ways that are very pleasant to see. And the ending is perfect. You owe it to yourself to see this movie.