FeaturePG1991·111m·6.9

Defending Your Life

The first true story of what happens after you die.

RomanceFantasyComedyDrama

Is there love after death? After he dies suddenly, the hapless advertising executive Daniel Miller finds himself in Judgment City, a gleaming way station where the newly deceased must prove they lived a life of sufficient courage to advance in their journey through the universe. As the self-doubting Daniel struggles to make his case, a budding relationship with the uninhibited Julia offers him a chance to finally feel alive.

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Cast

Albert Brooks

Daniel Miller

Meryl Streep

Julia

Rip Torn

Bob Diamond

Lee Grant

Lena Foster

Michael Durrell

Agency Head

James Eckhouse

Jeep Owner

Gary Beach

Car Salesman

Julie Cobb

Tram Guide

Peter Schuck

Stan

Time Winters

Porter

Sharlie Stuart

Susan

Beth Black

Soap Opera Woman

Clayton Norcross

Soap Opera Man

Jim McKrell

Game Show Moderator

Wil Albert

Game Show Contestant

Sage Allen

Game Show Contestant

Mary Pat Gleason

Waitress

Maxine Elliott Hicks

Elderly Woman on Tram

Marilyn Rockafellow

Helen

Roger Behr

Comedian

Details

Status
Released
Original language
English
Languages
English, Japanese
Budget
$20.0M
Revenue
$16.4M
Age rating
PG
Quality
4K UHD · HDR10 · Dolby Vision
Production
Geffen Pictures

Crew

Director

Albert Brooks

Writers

Albert Brooks

Michael Gore

Original Music Composer

Allen Daviau

Director of Photography

David Finfer

Editor

Deborah L. Scott

Costume Design

Ida Random

Production Design

Gallery

Reviews

GenerationofSwine

1/12/2023

10.0

I remember when I was 12 or so, I woke up incredibly early (thank you Chicago Tribune TV Guide for helping me with missions like that) and went into the basement to record this off HBO. Then, shortly after I hit record I fell asleep on the couch and had the strangest freaking dream of my childhood because of the title of this film. Had nothing to do with the movie, I just remember it to this day so I'm rambling about it. Really though, it has a message, there is a moral to the story, but you aren't watching it for that. And when I was 11 or 12 I didn't record it for that. No, you're watching it because Albert Brooks is pretty funny and the film seems quirky and light hearted. And, honestly, it delivers. It's one of those increasingly rare films that announces what kind of movie that it is, makes promises for a happy ending, and delivers on it. There aren't really any surprises, you assume how the movie is going to end before you even sit down to watch it, and you're only really watching it in the first place because you feel the need to see that kind of story. And it delivers. It's fun in a quirky, dry, and understated way. It brings you into a fun little world, and it hits all the marks it promised to in the trailer, comedy, romance, happy ending. Everything else is just icing.