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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: Warner Home Video
Salesrank: 2335
Released: April 3, 2001 |
| Our Price: $7.10 |
| Used Price: $5.29 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Immediately following his death by bus, Daniel finds himself in the afterlife facing his past. If you can't make a case for having lived a full and fearles
superb music score won an Academy Award.s life, you must go back to Earth and try again. But Daniel doesn't want to go back after he meets Julia in this heavenly fable written and directed by Albert Brooks.
Description of Defending Your Life:
Albert Brooks proves there's laughs after death with this almost heavenly comedy--almost heaven as in Judgment City, where recently perished Daniel Miller (Brooks) learns whether he is worthy of advancing to a higher plane of existence or will be sent back to earth for another incarnation.
His fate will be determined in a very special trial, during which scenes from his life are replayed on a giant screen. "Isn't it realistic?" a judge asks. "It makes some people nauseous." While the steely prosecutor (Lee Grant) will try to prove that Daniel failed in life to face his fears and insecurities, his glad-handing, reassuring defender (Rip Torn) will argue on behalf of this hapless "little brain" (a Judgment City term for residents of earth).
As Woody Allen did for the future in Sleeper, so does Brooks create an original vision of the afterlife. In Judgment City, white-robed residents can eat as much as they want without guilt or fear of gaining weight. They can also visit the Past Lives Pavilion, where they are greeted by a hologram of--who else--Shirley MacLaine.
Daniel finds himself touched by an angel. Meryl Streep gives an enchanting performance as Julia, whose exemplary life is in stark contrast to his. During her trial, the court watches in rapture as she saves not only children, but a cat from a burning building.
Daniel and Julia are a match made in Judgment City, but first Daniel must summon up the courage to express his true feelings for her, or she will surely advance without him.
Defending Your Life is Brooks's most ambitious film and, with Mother, his most accessible. --Donald Liebenson
Defending Your Life Reviews:
Journey of the soul 
2008-09-30 - I love this movie. For those of you who believe in the existence of the soul and what happens after you die, this movie is for you. It tells the story of a man defending his past life to a panel of judges in judgment city. Is he ready to go on to heaven or does he need to go back to earth and do it all over again. The character very well played by Albert Brooks seems to muddle through his defense mimicking how he muddled through his life on earth. He realizes this as he hears the judgment to return to earth. His one act of bravery changes his destiny and he goes on to heaven. It is a funny, feel good movie and a must see.
Best Movie Ever!
2008-09-18 - The higher power aspect of this movie is untouched by any other. Facing your fears is the point of life and the point is not MONEY!
A Wonderful Film On Any Plane Of Existence
2008-09-02 - You might delight in this movie too! This is one of my favorite movies, top ten of all time. Every time I feel a little blue, I think of this movie and feel better. When I feel a little lost in the grand scheme of the Universe, I watch this movie. Each and every time I watch it, I laugh and feel good about being alive. I also feel less fearful about death after watching the film.
You might want to give it a try. I'm glad I did. You might live a little better today and die a little happier tomorrow.
Brooks' Best
2008-06-23 - In my opinion, this is Albert Brooks best movie. It offers a whole new slant on death and a lot of healthy laughter.
Defending Your Life -- Bravo!
2008-05-12 - A terrific movie for anyone, any time. It's been a favorite of mine for years -- the wit, humor, and wry sense of Brooks' irony never fail to please. But it is also an immensely comforting movie to see if you've lost someone close... We can always hope that death isn't final, and that there is joy in the afterlife.
