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Defending Your Life (1991)

PG | | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy | 5 April 1991 (USA)
Defending Your Life Poster
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In an afterlife way station resembling a block of hotels, the lives of the recently-deceased are examined in a court-like setting.

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5 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Daniel Miller
... Agency Head
... Jeep Owner
... Car Salesman
... Tram Guide
Peter Schuck ... Stan
... Porter
... Bob Diamond
Sharlie Stuart ... Susan
Beth Black ... Soap Opera Woman
... Soap Opera Man
... Game Show Moderator
Wil Albert ... Game Show Contestant
Sage Allen ... Game Show Contestant
... Waitress
See full cast »
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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

Plot Keywords:

fear | courage | courtroom | past life | chainsaw | See All (23) »

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:

5 April 1991 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Visa al paraíso  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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Box Office

Gross USA:

$16,371,128
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The fourth feature film directed by Albert Brooks. See more »

Goofs

One the day of his 39th birthday (and fatal car accident), Daniel say that in 2 more months he will have worked at the firm for 10 years. However, Lena shows Daniel taking the job at 4 months after his 29th birthday, not 2 months. 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

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Thought-Provoking Life After Death Movies (2016) See more »

Soundtracks

Misty
Written by Erroll Garner
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User Reviews

 
Another view
17 April 2000 | by – See all my reviews

Albert Brooks is daring enough to look at the afterlife in a different way. However, the message is not about the afterlife but very much about your life now. Especially if you believe that you live only once, the message in this movie should speak to you even more, because that means there is only one chance, and if you fear to much to take it, well, that's that.

Let's realize folks: Life has so much to offer us. Our hands are too small to handle it all, but let's not fear to take all we can handle......
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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