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Title: Defending Your Life (1991)
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| 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 | |
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Peter Schuck | ... | Stan |
| Time Winters | ... | Porter | |
| Rip Torn | ... | Bob Diamond | |
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Sharlie Stuart | ... | Susan |
|
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Beth Black | ... | Soap Opera Woman |
| Clayton Norcross | ... | Soap Opera Man | |
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James MacKrell | ... | Game Show Moderator |
|
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Wil Albert | ... | Game Show Contestant |
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Sage Allen | ... | Game Show Contestant |
| Mary Pat Gleason | ... | Waitress | |
Just after being killed in a car crash, Daniel Miller finds himself in Judgment City, a waiting area for the newly deceased. While there, one must prove in a courtroom-style process that he successfully overcame his 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. Written by Jon Reeves <jreeves@imdb.com>
Albert Brooks' view of death is very pleasing to me! Imagine eating all you want while dressed in a comfortable Star Trek outfit! Plus the weather is always great!
Unfortunately, that's only at Judgement City..who knows the circumstances at the other places?
Daniel (Brooks) dies in the first ten minutes, while listening to Streisand in his brand new car. He is whisked off to Judgement City where everyone's life is evaluated. You see glimpses of your own past and have to defend your life and yourself. There's a prosecutor and your trial will decide if you 'go on' or 'go back' but none of that really matters that much. Its really just a reason to see all the flashbacks and relive all the memories. Everything is based on fear - how you handle it, if you let it run your life and, most importantly, if you overcame it at all.
On night in a comedy club he meets Julia, played by Meryl Streep. They get along immediately and enjoy each other very much. She has a better hotel than he does and as the movie progresses you see Daniel as more of a loser than anything, while Julia was apparently in the other category. She is on a first-name basis with her lawyer and gets invited to a dinner party he throws. Daniel eats alone in a sushi bar (very funny scene!) that night.
There is one priceless scene that I closely identified with. Daniel is on his way to Hong Kong (this is a scene from his life, obviously) and finds he has seat 'B', meaning he's between two people. He can't even consider sitting in between two people for that long a trip so asks the flight attendant if there are any available seats in first class. She says there is one seat, but it costs $3000 more. He takes it! I would also do a lot to avoid seat 'B', too!
Albert Brooks movies are never laugh riots, but they are not supposed to be. They are pleasantly amusing, memorable and thoughtful. This movie falls into the category too but does contain a couple of very funny scenes - during his 'trial' there is what seems to be a 'blooper' tape of his life that is very funny and played strictly for laughs. Its a little disrespectful of the character but Brooks never minds portraying himself as vulnerable and human.
Outcome is very satisfying. Streep underplays beautifully and the two actors have a considerable amount of chemistry. Rip Torn, Lee Grant and Buck Henry are the lawyers, and all of them are servicable. 8/10.