Defending Your Life (1991)

Director:

Albert Brooks

Writer (WGA):

Albert Brooks (written by)

Release Date:

22 March 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

Tagline:

The first true story of what happens after you die.

Plot:

In an afterlife resembling the present-day US, people must prove their worth by showing in court how they have demonstrated courage.

Plot Keywords:

Afterlife | Prosecutor | Courage | Car Accident | Defense Lawyer

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

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
Jim McKrell	...	Game show moderator
Wil Albert	...	Game show contestant
Sage Allen	...	Game show contestant
Mary Pat Gleason	...	Waitress

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:PG (certificate #30916) | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:S | Australia:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

770 The City Drive, Orange, California, USA

Company:

Geffen Pictures

Trivia:

Film debut of Ethan Embry.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Daniel is riding and subsequently falling off of the snow mobile, the dialog does not match his lips.

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 double my income?
Agency head: Good luck.
Daniel Miller: Four years? Okay. So, you're great people to work with, and this is a great present, and I wish I could squeeze all of you into one pretty woman.
[laughter]
Daniel Miller: And if you'd like to go to my office, I'll drive.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Murphy Brown: Defending Your Life (#9.8)" (1996)

Soundtrack:

Misty

A Funny, Thoughtful Film

I have seen this film many times, and each time I seem to enjoy it more and more. Albert Brooks gets a hat-trick by directing, writing, and starring in this film about what life is like after death and what lies ahead for each individual. Many have already gone into great detail about the particulars of the film. I want to add that the film has tremendous heart. Albert Brooks gives probably his best performance as a man riddled with inner fears and yet learning quickly about life. The humour underlies almost every line in the film, much of it subtle and some more obvious. Brooks has a definite grasp of the little annoyances in life as he pokes fun at all kinds of situations that many of us just forget ever happened. The supporting cast is very good. I don't ever remember Meryl Streep looking so well. She seems to be so at home in her role. Lee Grant is as always a major plus, and Buck Henry adds his special subtle humour in a small role. But acting honors and many of the big laughs go to Rip Torn who looks like he is having a ball in his role defending Brook's character. The film, above all, says something about the fears and constraints we have in our lives and how they hold us back emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. How true!