Defending Your Life (1991)

In an afterlife way station resembling a block of hotels, the lives of the recently-deceased are examined in a court-like setting.

Director:

Albert Brooks

Writer:

Albert Brooks

Stars:

Albert Brooks, Meryl Streep, Rip Torn

5 nominations.

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
James MacKrell	...	Game Show Moderator
Wil Albert	...	Game Show Contestant
Sage Allen	...	Game Show Contestant
Mary Pat Gleason	...	Waitress

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.

---

Plot Keywords:

fear | courage | courtroom | past life | chainsaw | 

---

Taglines:

The first true story of what happens after you die.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

5 April 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Visa al paraíso

Filming Locations:

770 The City Drive, Orange, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$16,371,128

Company Credits

Production Co:

Geffen Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The trams used throughout the film are older ones from Universal Studios Hollywood.

---

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.

---

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 ...
[...]

---

Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.9 (2011)

---

Soundtracks

Misty
Written by Erroll Garner

User Reviews

A Funny, Thoughtful Film

I have seen this film many times, and each time I seem to enjoy it more and more. Albert Brooks gets a hat-trick by directing, writing, and starring in this film about what life is like after death and what lies ahead for each individual. Many have already gone into great detail about the particulars of the film. I want to add that the film has tremendous heart. Albert Brooks gives probably his best performance as a man riddled with inner fears and yet learning quickly about life. The humour underlies almost every line in the film, much of it subtle and some more obvious. Brooks has a definite grasp of the little annoyances in life as he pokes fun at all kinds of situations that many of us just forget ever happened. The supporting cast is very good. I don't ever remember Meryl Streep looking so well. She seems to be so at home in her role. Lee Grant is as always a major plus, and Buck Henry adds his special subtle humour in a small role. But acting honors and many of the big laughs go to Rip Torn who looks like he is having a ball in his role defending Brook's character. The film, above all, says something about the fears and constraints we have in our lives and how they hold us back emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. How true!