Rating: PG
Genre:
Fantasy
Theatrical Release: 03/22/1991(USA)
Release Date: 04/03/2001
SubTitles: English/French/Espanol/Por
Dubbed: English/French
Sound: 2
Run Time: 111 Minutes
Flags: Questionable for Children, Adult Language, Adult Humor
Distributor/Studio: Warner Home Video
Albert Brooks wrote, directed, and stars in this philosophical comedy about a man having a hard time making a case for himself in the afterlife. When advertising executive Daniel Miller (
Albert Brooks) finds himself in a fatal car crash minutes after taking delivery on a new BMW, he's whisked away to Judgment City, where the recently dead are put on a sort of trial to decide their fate. If in your time on Earth you were able to face your fears and learn from your mistakes, you get to move on to a life in a better world. However, if you didn't, you have to go back to Earth and try again. As he spends the next several days watching various episodes from his life, Daniel gets the impression he doesn't stand much of a chance of moving on -- and his representative, Bob Diamond (
Rip Torn), seems to have little confidence in his case. In the meantime, he frequents Judgment City's many restaurants (where the food is delicious and you can eat all you want without gaining an ounce), pays a visit to the Past Life Pavilion, and meets Julia (
Meryl Streep), who seems so kind, sweet, and noble that her advancement is practically assured. Daniel and Julia fall in love, but what's going to happen if they don't end up in the same place?
Albert Brooks and
Meryl Streep make a witty and engaging romantic team in
Defending Your Life, and
Shirley MacLaine appears in a highly appropriate cameo.
~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
