Defending Your Life

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Defending Your Life

PG

Released Mar 22, 1991

1h 52m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

98%

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43 Reviews

83%

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10,000+ Ratings

Daniel Miller (Albert Brooks) isn't having a good week. For starters, he died after he got hit by a bus. Then he discovers that in the afterlife he must defend his actions on Earth in order to ascend to a higher plane of existence. While awaiting judgment, he falls in love with Julia (Meryl Streep), whose near-perfect life on Earth seemingly makes her a shoe-in for ascension. However, Daniel's actions in his lifetime might not be enough for him to move on.

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Critics Consensus

With Defending Your Life, writer-director-star Albert Brooks softens his trademark caustic humor -- and proves he's every bit as funny when he's tugging heartstrings.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Most of these scenes are hilarious–there’s an especially riotous montage offering excerpts from “164 misjudgments over a 12-year period”...

Rated: 3/4

May 24, 2022

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B-

Sep 7, 2011

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The movie is funny in a warm, fuzzy way, and it has a splendidly satisfactory ending.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

It’s a bold, fascinating concept that feels true to the heart of someone like Brooks, a man who has made neuroses an integral part of his artistic brand.

Rated: 9.5/10

Mar 25, 2024

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Michael Clark

Epoch Times

There are also elements of courtroom drama without otherworldly components or CGI effects. If released 80 years ago, “Defending Your Life” could have easily been a Frank Capra film, likely a companion piece to “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Rated: 4.5/5

Nov 4, 2023

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Terry Francis

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

Brooks manages to wring some laughs out of admittedly banal material, and the film is socially on target in some of its satire. The casting is very fine. Meryl Streep brings humor and flashes of authentic feeling to her role.

Rated: 2.5/4

May 9, 2023

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Reviewsrt@25 O

Another movie (in the first few minutes, in this case) where a male character states "you're born alone, you die alone" as though it is a universal truth. Usually a mother is involved at someone's birth.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/24/25

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Stephen L

A smart, sincere and quietly hilarious look at the afterlife, Defending Your Life is one of the most overlooked comedies of its era. Albert Brooks writes, directs, and stars with a calm confidence, crafting a world as imaginative as it is grounded. Rip Torn and Lee Grant are perfectly cast as cosmic attorneys, and Meryl Streep is never more affable or disarming than she is here. The film moves quickly, explores deep ideas with ease and sticks its landing - even if the ending is predictable. A forgotten gem that absolutely holds up.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/24/25

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David P

Albert Brooks creates an imaginative film of whimsy and the fears of life. The humor may be subtle, but it's there. Good performances, charming story, and a beautiful score make for a memorable viewing experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/20/25

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alan g

Very boring and sad movie. Albert Brooks doing his sad sack routine again. Getting very old. Waste of Merril Streep.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

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Rare T

There’s something from Wuthering Heights in this movie… Speaking of which, that would be one life to defend.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/13/25

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Myname P

I think about this movie all the time. It’s funny and thought provoking. One of my favorite movies of all time!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/09/24

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Albert Brooks

Director

Albert Brooks

Daniel Miller

Meryl Streep

Julia

Rip Torn

Bob Diamond

Lee Grant

Lena Foster

Buck Henry

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Synopsis

Daniel Miller (Albert Brooks) isn't having a good week. For starters, he died after he got hit by a bus. Then he discovers that in the afterlife he must defend his actions on Earth in order to ascend to a higher plane of existence. While awaiting judgment, he falls in love with Julia (Meryl Streep), whose near-perfect life on Earth seemingly makes her a shoe-in for ascension. However, Daniel's actions in his lifetime might not be enough for him to move on.

Director: Albert Brooks
Producer: Michael Grillo
Screenwriter: Albert Brooks
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures, Pioneer Entertainment
Production Co: Geffen Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 22, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 3, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.2M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby

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