Albert Brooks, Buck Henry, Gary Beach

The first true story about the afterlife.

Flixster Users

76% liked it

2,295 ratings

PG, 112 min.

Directed by: Albert Brooks

Release Date: March 22, 1991

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: April 3, 2001

Get It:

Stats: 466 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Your Rating



clear rating
Share on: Facebook Twitter

Flixster Reviews (466)


  • August 27, 2008
    Daniel Miller: Why do you drive this?
    Jeep Owner: What?
    Daniel Miller: I'm curious. I see people driving these things. What do you know that I don't? Are floods coming? Hoover Dam broke? What's going on?
    Jeep Owner: I like this car.
    Daniel Miller: It's not a car, it's a battering...( read more) ram. This is what Patton drove: "Hey you, soldier! Follow us!"
    Jeep Owner: Make fun, but in an 8.5 earthquake, you'll beg for a Jeep.
    Daniel Miller: In an 8.5 earthquake, I'll beg for a coffin.

    A very funny and original movie, with Albert Brooks at his best. The story itself is a neat concept, what happens when you die? No overdoing it, just a nice idea where people are sent to a place where things get determined for you in an orderly fashion. The idea is to repeat life until you sort of learn a deeper meaning and can move on.

    Brooks plays Daniel, a man who is killed at the beginning of the movie only to arrive in this afterlife setting. He is informed by his lawyer-type person, played by Rip Torn, that he will be judged based on clips from nine days of his life, and it will be determined whether he will be incarnated back on earth or move on.

    While not on trial, Daniel gets to move around this afterlife town known as Judgment City. During this time he meets a woman Julie, played by Meryl Streep. Many jokes in the movie come from how much better Streep's life was and how much better she is treated in Judgment City because of it.

    Daniel Miller: What is this?
    Julia: It's my hotel.
    Daniel Miller: This is your hotel?
    Julia: Yeah. Where are you staying?
    Daniel Miller: Obviously at the place for people that weren't very generous and didn't adopt anybody. I'm at the Continental. Come over one day; we'll paint it.

    The movie is very funny overall due to Brooks style of humor. The way he writes his comedy works so well and is helped even more so when Brooks gets himself into various stages of his conversations, observations, or arguments. Also very funny are the actual judgment scenes going between scenes from Daniel's life and the discussion afterward.

    Along with watching this movie for its story and humor, there are also various elements that hint at some deeper themes involving the thoughts on death and the assessment of life. The inclusion of a love interest and how that factors into the story is also effective.

    I've watched this movie many times and love it. Its a good premise, featuring solid work from Brooks as well as the supporting cast. The ideas introduced here are good setups for the movie's concept without going to deep. Its very entertaining and well done.

    Bob Diamond: Did we ever stop to think that this young boy had a bond with his father? I don't think it had anything to do with the friend. I just think Daniel couldn't lie to his dad. That's all.
    Lena Foster: You're nodding, Mr. Miller. Does that mean you agree with Mr. Diamond?
    Daniel Miller: Oh, yes. I had a bond with my father. I pretty much never lied to him.
    Lena Foster: You never lied to your father? Would you like me to show you at least 500 examples?
    Daniel Miller: I said "pretty much" never lied. I didn't say I never, ever lied. You have to lie sometimes... in an emergency. But, ah, it doesn't mean the bond is affected. If you've got the bond the bond is always there, and if you have to lie occasionally you're not going to interfere with the bond. You know, the bond can wait for a little lie and... in the end it's there for you... You know, sometimes in the middle of a lie I found that the bond would kick in... maybe squeeze a little truth out.
    Bob Diamond: Psst, wrap it up.
    Daniel Miller: I'm through.
  • March 17, 2008
    Interesting and Unique, I enjoyed this movie.
  • August 4, 2007
    It's not how I expected the afterlife to be whatsoever. Albert Brooks makes himself the center of this lighthearted romantic comedy drama. It feels cheap.
  • June 26, 2007
    A great film from Albert Brooks.
  • October 18, 2006
    Witty and endlessly funny comedy look at a life-after-death that I don't think anyone has envisioned quite like Brooks has. A sweet, neat little movie.
  • November 5, 2009
    Photobucket

    On Dani...( read more)el Miller's birthday he dies by getting hit by a bus while driving. He's instantly sent to a different afterlife called Judgement city where it's not considered a trial, but a way of defending your life before you're sent forward to the next phase of your life.

    Sounds confusing I know, but the food at Judgement city is to die for! You can eat anything you want and not gain a pound. While watching this film I literally got hungry because food is constantly being mentioned in almost every frame.

    So why is Daniel being put on trial? Well, it's because of his fear. The scenes where he's being judged are painful to watch and interesting on a psychological view point. Luckily he can balance being judged by spending time with a woman he met in comedy club called the bomb shelter.

    Her name is Julia and he's only been with her a few times but is in love with her.

    Albert Brooks wrote, directed and starred in this inventive comedy about a different kind of afterlife.
  • September 25, 2009
    I never like romantic comedies, but this one wasn't too bad.
  • May 6, 2009
    This movie really makes you stop and think. What if this happened to you. How many days would you need to explain? Great acting and of course romance.
  • April 22, 2009
    I LOVE LOVE LOVE this movie. I had never expected to even watch it, but one day, it was all that was on cable. I fell in love with this film. It is an "original" story. It is funny, dramatic, and sweet. I highly recommend this movie!
  • April 22, 2009
    Very funny especially the Japanese restaurant scene! Although Streep's role is short. I think was the closest character to Meryl Streep's real life. I enjoyed the film. This movie made everyone want to die! It also has a very nice concept

Critic Reviews


No recent reviews.

Comments


This board looks lonely. Be the first to talk about "Defending Your Life" !

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Official Trailer

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • The Butterfly Effect
    The Butterfly Effect (50%)
  • The Craft
    The Craft (50%)
  • Back to the Future
    Back to the Future (80%)
  • Broken Flowers
    Broken Flowers (100%)

Theater Showtimes & TV Listings


Defending Your Life Trivia


  • In what movie does Shirley MacLaine tell Meryl Streep she is limited to see only 5 past lives?  Answer »
  • In Defending Your Life, who stars opposite Albert Brooks?  Answer »
  • In Defending Your Life, what new age actress welcomes you to the "Past Lives Pavillion"?  Answer »
  • Albert Brooks character falls in love with the character played by this actress in "Defending Your life"? Mamma Mia!  Answer »

Video Clips


No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?