Movie · romance, fantasy
Defending Your Life
1991 · 1h 51m · PG
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Is it worth watching? Defending Your Life
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Reception
On other sites
6.9/10338 votes
What is it about? Defending Your Life
The first true story of what happens after you die.
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.
Genres: romance, fantasy, comedy, drama. Themes: afterlife, allegory, prosecution, heaven, satire, reincarnation.
Cast and crew Defending Your Life
All
Creators
- Directed byAlbert Brooks
- ScreenplayAlbert Brooks
- MusicMichael Gore
- CinematographyAllen Daviau
- EditingDavid Finfer
Full cast and crew75 cast members, 122 crew
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
- Art Frankel · Arthur
- Ernie Brown · Ernie
- George D. Wallace · Daniel's Judge
- Lillian Lehman · Daniel's Judge
- Raffi Di Blasio · Daniel as a Boy
- Kristopher Kent Hill · Bully
- Eric Ehasz · Child in Schoolyard
- Matthew Scharch · Daniel as an Infant
- S. Scott Bullock · Daniel's Father
- Carol Bivins · Daniel's Mother
- Ethan Embry · Steve
- Gary Ballard · Wadworth
- Mary Mukogawa · Sushi Hostess
- Toshio Shikami · Head Sushi Chef
- Samee Park · Sushi Chef
- Kagko Shikami · Sushi Chef
- Tommy Inouye · Sushi Chef
- Ken Thorley · Frank
- Bob Braun · Talk Show Host
- Jennifer Barlow Grodsky · Talk Show Guest
Crew:
- Michael Grillo · Producer
- Michael Gore · Original Music Composer
- Albert Brooks · Director
- Albert Brooks · Screenplay
- David Finfer · Editor
- Allen Daviau · Director of Photography
- Mark Saks · Casting
- Barbara Claman · Casting
- Deborah L. Scott · Costume Design
- Ida Random · Production Design
- Herb Nanas · Executive Producer
Trailer Defending Your Life
ENDefending Your Life (1991) | Official TrailerJanuary 9, 2021Movies like this Defending Your Life
Details Defending Your Life
- First theatrical release
- March 22, 1991
- Release in the US
- April 5, 1991
- Country
- United States
- Original language
- English
- Rating
- PG
- Studio
- Geffen Pictures
Numbers and release
- Budget
- $20M
- Worldwide gross
- $16.4M
Frequently asked questions
How long is Defending Your Life?
1h 51m (111 minutes).
Who’s in Defending Your Life?
Albert Brooks, Meryl Streep, Rip Torn, Lee Grant, Michael Durrell, James Eckhouse, Gary Beach, Julie Cobb, Peter Schuck, and Time Winters. Directed by Albert Brooks.
Sources: TMDB (title data, images). As of November 13, 2026. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. · Ta strona po polsku