'

Defending Your Life

Play trailer

Defending Your Life

PG

Released Mar 22, 1991

1h 52m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

44 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

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

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

a favorite. I love this movie

Apr 7, 2025

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Read all reviews

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Albert Brooks

Director

Albert Brooks

Daniel Miller

Meryl Streep

Julia

Rip Torn

Bob Diamond

Lee Grant

Lena Foster

Buck Henry

Dick Stanley

Problem Child

0%

42%

Problem Child

Watchlist

Pure Luck

15%

61%

Pure Luck

Watchlist

Stay Tuned

44%

56%

Stay Tuned

Watchlist

Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey

56%

56%

Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey

Watchlist

Father of the Bride

70%

70%

Father of the Bride

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Meryl Streep’s 10 Best Movies

The Day After The Oscars: A Recap

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now