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

Daniel Miller's killed in a car crash and goes to Judgment City, a waiting area for the newly decreased. While there, one must prove in a courtroom-style process that they successfully overcame their fears. Daniel meets Julia in an afterlife comedy club, and falls in love with her, Julia seems to have what it takes -to move to the 'next stage' of existence, but Daniel's worried he'll be sent back - and lose the one person he loves so much, he's willing to fight for.

---

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:

Defending Your Life

Filming Locations:

770 The City Drive, Orange, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$92,622, 24 March 1991

Gross USA:

$16,371,128

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$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

Albert Brooks held three different jobs/roles for this film; top-billed lead star, sole writer, and director.

---

Goofs

When Daniel and Julia are walking up to hotel for the first time, the front of the hotel very clearly has a canvas overlay saying "Majestic Hotel", covering the real name of the hotel being used.

---

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 74th Golden Globe Awards (2017)

---

Soundtracks

Something's Coming
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Performed by Barbra Streisand
Courtesy of CBS Records Music Licensing Department

User Reviews

Sweet and highly entertaining.

A wonderful comedy-fantasy that has all the wit of a good Woody Allen movie combined with genuine sweetness and good-naturedness. It's one of those rare films that achieve profundity without pushing for it; here it is done with the help of the clever structure. Albert Brooks delivers some great one-liners and wins the audience's affection easily, while Meryl Streep is atypically unaffected and Lee Grant is excellent in her supporting role. And who could ask for a better ending? (***)