Menu
Defending Your Life Poster

Defending Your Life

The first true story of what happens after you die.
1991 | 111m | English

(22608 votes)

TMDb IMDb

Popularity: 1 (history)

Director: Albert Brooks
Writer: Albert Brooks
Staring:
Details

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.
Release Date: Mar 22, 1991
Director: Albert Brooks
Writer: Albert Brooks
Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Keywords allegory, prosecution, heaven, reincarnation, afterlife, satire, car accident, courtroom, advertising agency, past life
Production Companies Warner Bros. Pictures, Geffen Pictures
Box Office Revenue: $16,400,000
Budget: $0
Updates Updated: Feb 01, 2025 (Update)
Entered: Apr 13, 2024
Trailers and Extras

International Posters

Full Credits

Name Character
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 Mr. 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
Buck Henry Dick Stanley
Joey Miyashima Casio Tipster
Nurit Koppel Daniel's Date
Susan Walters Daniel's Wife
Sidney Chankin Used Car Salesman
Greg Finley Used Car Salesman
Leonard O. Turner Sam
Clifford Einstein Julia's Prosecutor
Rachel Bard Julia's Judge
Newell Alexander Julia's Judge
Shirley MacLaine Shirley MacLaine
Hal Landon Jr. Man in Past Lives Pavilion
Ida Lee Woman in Past Lives Pavilion
Noley Thornton Victorian Girl
Glen Chin Sumo Wrestler
James Ekim Native
Clarke Coleman Knight
Ronald L. Colby Majestic Doorman
David Purdham Peter
James Paradise Stage Manager
Jerry Prell Banquet Manager
Arell Blanton Fire Marshall
Shana Ballard Julia's Daughter
Chris Macris Julia's Son
Joseph Darrell Maitre d'
James Manis Eduardo
Alex Sheafe Martin
Cathleen Chin Ticket Counter Agent
Lisa Sears Tram Port Attendant
Mark Dunlap Tram Port Attendant
Vernon Roguen Tram Port Attendant
Dennis Germain Tram Driver
Jorga Caye Deceased Lady (uncredited)
Robert Gatewood Afterlife Traveler (uncredited)
John Michael Quinn Man in Heaven (uncredited)
Douglas M. Nelson Tram Attendee (uncredited)
Name Job
Albert Brooks Director, Screenplay
Donn Piller Swing
Shirley Walker Orchestrator, Conductor
Bill Daly Post Production Accountant
David Finfer Editor
Barbara Claman Casting
Ida Random Production Design
Robert Grand Production Manager
Carey Dietrich Second Assistant Director
Richard Reynolds Art Direction
Linda DeScenna Set Decoration
Ric McElvin Leadman
John Rankin Swing
Sara Gardner-Gail Swing
Randy Bostic Swing
James Hegedus Production Illustrator
Martha Johnston Set Designer
Eric Engler Camera Operator
Reggie Newkirk First Assistant Camera
Bobby Mancuso Second Assistant Camera
Spencer Cross Associate Editor
Maureen Mitchell Assistant Editor
Judd H. Maslansky Assistant Editor
Dane A. Davis Supervising Sound Editor
G.W. Brown ADR Editor
Jim Borgardt ADR Editor
John Kwiatkowski Sound Effects Editor
Kimberly Lowe Voigt Dialogue Editor
Robert Bradshaw Dialogue Editor
Tom Hammond Foley Editor
Valerie Davidson Foley Editor
Melinda Garey Assistant Sound Editor
Darrell Hall Assistant Sound Editor
Joan Rowe Foley Artist
Gregg Barbanell Foley Artist
Thomas Causey Production Sound Mixer
Joseph F. Brennan Boom Operator
Richard Kite Boom Operator
Wayne Artman Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Tom E. Dahl Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Franklin Jones Jr. Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Joel Moss Scoring Mixer
Curtis Roush Music Editor
Steph Benseman Location Manager
Lauren Ross Assistant Location Manager
Luca Kouimelis Script Supervisor
Annette Sutera Second Second Assistant Director
George Stokes Construction Coordinator
James F. Orendorff Construction Foreman
Robert E. Denne Standby Painter
David Harris Greensman
John Thompson Greensman
Dennis Dion Special Effects Supervisor
Chris Burton Special Effects Coordinator
Michael Kenner Key Grip
Jim Shelton Dolly Grip
Larry Wallace Chief Lighting Technician
William R. Mayberry Assistant Chief Lighting Technician
Robert W. Meyers Rigging Gaffer
Larry Clark Bird Property Master
Ken Zimmerman Assistant Property Master
Hallie D'Amore Makeup Artist
Marlene D. Williams Hairstylist
J. Roy Helland Makeup Artist, Hairstylist
George L. Little Wardrobe Supervisor
Phyllis Corcoran-Woods Set Costumer
Deborah Hopper Set Costumer
Greg Hall Set Costumer
John George Set Costumer
Nancy Ramey Production Accountant
Cheri Hall Assistant Accountant
Lisbeth Wynn-Owen Production Office Coordinator
Carol McCullough Still Photographer
Bill Erickson Stunt Coordinator
Jeff Jensen Stunts
Maggie Erickson Casting Assistant
Robert Raring Color Timer
Mat Beck Visual Effects Supervisor
Robert Stadd Visual Effects Producer
Paul Slansky Thanks
Fernando Castroman Assistant Director Trainee
Cary Conway Paint Coordinator
Kini Kay Sound Effects Editor
Val Kuklowsky Sound Editor
Richard L. Hill Special Effects Technician
Ken Allen Matte Painter
Jeff Burks Animation Supervisor
Jon Farhat VFX Artist
David Goldberg Modelling Supervisor
Erik Henry VFX Editor
Robert Scifo Matte Painter
Linda Renaud VFX Editor
James Valentine Roto Supervisor
Tom Bookout Second Company Grip
Lee Redmond Camera Operator
László Regos Steadicam Operator
Laura Adler Casting Assistant
Jenny O'Haver Casting Assistant
Robert Foulkes Assistant Location Manager
Bruce Fowler Orchestrator
Louise Di Tullio Musician
Tom Dias Transportation Captain
Daniel Quick Transportation Coordinator
John Sagray Driver
Michael Gore Original Music Composer
Allen Daviau Director of Photography
Mark Saks Casting
Deborah L. Scott Costume Design
Michael Grillo First Assistant Director
John Morrisey Assistant Editor
Hector C. Gika Dialogue Editor
Patti Hawn Unit Publicist
Paul E. Short Stunts
Kevin Scott Mack Modeling
Tom Boyd Musician
Malcolm McNab Musician
Name Title
Robert Grand Co-Producer
Michael Grillo Producer
Herb Nanas Executive Producer
Organization Category Person
Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 4 16 28 10
2024 5 17 24 11
2024 6 14 28 10
2024 7 16 27 10
2024 8 17 28 11
2024 9 13 19 9
2024 10 15 29 7
2024 11 15 41 7
2024 12 15 24 7
2025 1 12 21 6
2025 2 10 14 3
2025 3 6 17 1
2025 4 1 1 1
2025 5 1 2 1
2025 6 1 2 1
2025 7 1 1 0
2025 8 1 1 0

Trending Position


No trending metrics available.

Return to Top

Reviews

GenerationofSwine
10.0

I remember when I was 12 or so, I woke up incredibly early (thank you Chicago Tribune TV Guide for helping me with missions like that) and went into the basement to record this off HBO. Then, shortly after I hit record I fell asleep on the couch and had the strangest freaking dream of my childhood b ... ecause of the title of this film. Had nothing to do with the movie, I just remember it to this day so I'm rambling about it. Really though, it has a message, there is a moral to the story, but you aren't watching it for that. And when I was 11 or 12 I didn't record it for that. No, you're watching it because Albert Brooks is pretty funny and the film seems quirky and light hearted. And, honestly, it delivers. It's one of those increasingly rare films that announces what kind of movie that it is, makes promises for a happy ending, and delivers on it. There aren't really any surprises, you assume how the movie is going to end before you even sit down to watch it, and you're only really watching it in the first place because you feel the need to see that kind of story. And it delivers. It's fun in a quirky, dry, and understated way. It brings you into a fun little world, and it hits all the marks it promised to in the trailer, comedy, romance, happy ending. Everything else is just icing.

Jan 12, 2023