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IMDbPro

Defending Your Life

  • 1991
  • PG
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
22K
YOUR RATING
Meryl Streep and Albert Brooks in Defending Your Life (1991)
text os
Play trailer1:48
1 Video
35 Photos
SatireComedyDramaFantasy

In an afterlife way-station resembling a major city, the lives of the recently deceased are examined in a court-like setting.In an afterlife way-station resembling a major city, the lives of the recently deceased are examined in a court-like setting.In an afterlife way-station resembling a major city, 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
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    22K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Albert Brooks
    • Writer
      • Albert Brooks
    • Stars
      • Albert Brooks
      • Meryl Streep
      • Rip Torn
    • 142User reviews
    • 42Critic reviews
    • 63Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Defending Your Life
    Trailer 1:48
    Defending Your Life

    Photos35

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    Top cast76

    Edit
    Albert Brooks
    Albert Brooks
    • Daniel Miller
    Meryl Streep
    Meryl Streep
    • Julia
    Rip Torn
    Rip Torn
    • Bob Diamond
    Lee Grant
    Lee Grant
    • Lena Foster
    Julie Cobb
    Julie Cobb
    • Tram Guide
    Peter Schuck
    • Stan
    Time Winters
    Time Winters
    • Porter
    Gary Beach
    Gary Beach
    • Car Salesman
    Sharlie Stuart
    • Susan
    Beth Black
    • Soap Opera Woman
    Clayton Norcross
    Clayton Norcross
    • Soap Opera Man
    James MacKrell
    • Game Show Moderator
    Wil Albert
    • Game Show Contestant
    Sage Allen
    • Game Show Contestant
    Mary Pat Gleason
    Mary Pat Gleason
    • Waitress
    Maxine Elliott Hicks
    Maxine Elliott Hicks
    • Elderly Woman on Tram
    • (as Maxine Elliott)
    Marilyn Rockafellow
    • Helen
    Roger Behr
    • Comedian
    • Director
      • Albert Brooks
    • Writer
      • Albert Brooks
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In a scene set in a comedy club, a terrible comedian performs a stand-up comedy act. This comedian asks Daniel (writer/director lead Albert Brooks ) how Daniel died. Daniel says "on stage, like you." Daniel later jokes that he can't leave before the end of the act because the guy on stage is his father. "No, I'm kidding. That would be so sad for me." This entire interaction is a dark and elaborate in-joke. Albert Brooks' father, Harry Einstein, actually was a comedian who died on stage at the Friar's Club, just after he finished his roast style comedy routine.
    • 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

      Comedian: Well, there's a nice-looking young man over there. Hi, how'd ya die?

      Daniel Miller: On stage, like you.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Class Action/If Looks Could Kill/Guilty by Suspicion/True Colors (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Something's Coming
      Music by Leonard Bernstein

      Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

      Performed by Barbra Streisand

      Courtesy of CBS Records Music Licensing Department

    User reviews142

    Featured review

    I have never felt so good after watching a movie

    This movie is the very definition of "feel good movie."

    This is a true laugh a minute while still managing to be insightful film. I watched this movie with my grandparents and all three of us burst out laughing at the same times. I don't think I've ever seen a movie where that's happened before. This movie will appeal to anyone... the jokes, you just can't miss them. It's touching and mind bogglingly hilarious at the same time. And the ending is phenomonal! Watch this movie just for the ending. :) Take two hours out of your life and watch a movie that I promise you, you won't soon forget. Watch it with your family and have someone to laugh with.

    I am going to see this movie over and over again, and I don't usually say that about movies. Interestingly enough, I was reading a self help book that turned out to be a complete bore the night before but which used "Defending Your Life" as an example for something they were trying to prove. I thought, hmm, that sounds interesting, but it's probably one of those old obscure movies I'll never get a chance to see. The very next day, I was in the video store just by chance, and while I was walking down the Comedy isle this movie jumped out at me. "Hey! That was the book I read about last night!" I thought. I got the movie and I wasn't dissapointed. What a way to make my day.

    Thank you Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep!
    • reishi9154
    • Dec 26, 2001
    • Permalink

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Defending Your Life?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 5, 1991 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Visa al paraíso
    • Filming locations
      • 770 The City Drive South, Orange, California, USA(Defenders Circle exterior)
    • Production company
      • Geffen Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $16,371,128
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $92,622
      • Mar 24, 1991
    • Gross worldwide
      • $16,371,596
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 52 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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