Defending Your Life

This review is an excerpt from my book “Killer B’s: The 237 Best Movies On Video You’ve (Probably) Never Seen,” which is available as an ebook on iBooks. If you enjoy this review, there are 236 more like it in the book (plus a whole lot more). Check it out! DEFENDING YOUR LIFE: Brooks’ vision of the afterlife, “Judgment City,” is part Vegas, part L.A., part DisneyWorld, part Universal Studios tour—and a little bit of heaven (you can eat as much as you want and never gain an ounce!): a fully thought-through purgatory, both practical and pleasant. The characters, too, are engaging: Brooks’ Dan, all too human, sweatily attempting to weasel his way out of his transgressions; Rip Torn, as his lawyer, expansive, avuncular, with just a touch of condescending hubris. (A high point is hearing him explain why there are no children in Judgment City.) The criteria for “moving forward” are a bit vague—one is “held back by fears”—but the essential question seems to be one of cowardice vs. courage: choosing to embrace life in spite of its tragedies, suffering and disappointments, or living timidly, in quiet denial and defeat. This film chooses to embrace life, and illustrates by example that while loving another person is the biggest risk in life, it also yields the greatest rewards. This philosophical fantasy disguised as a romantic comedy will make you laugh and cry, and it might just leave you pondering questions both grave—and beyond. And isn’t that what we really want from a film—or from a life?

Funny, cult classic

Light-hearted and mildly amusing but overall a rather weak film with a stock Hollywood ending.

This cut is awful - it misses the entire backstory for the lead character and set up for the whole film. The original is one of my favorite films and this is a chopped-up, abbreviated version. Please show us the whole film! I feel cheated because this isn't what I thought I was renting. The first version is amazing!!

I always want to like Albert Brooks' movies, but with the exception of this and Lost In America I've been underwhelmed. This is his magnum opus so far: a great if not so original concept, a screenplay that's funny and thought-provoking and heartwarming, and wonderful performances by an excellent cast, with Torn and Streep especially shining -- she's never been more attractive or likable. Brooks' movies are usually so deadpan and careful they just don't succeed with me. This one makes you laugh a lot, then makes want to cheer at the rousing climax. And I promise you'll think about its provocative message for days afterward, which is a very good thing.

I only watched the entire movie because I kept thinking that there couldn't be 65 people who were out of their minds and wrote positive reviews! Absolute waste of time unless you, like Albert Brooks in the movie, have no life left.

Great movie, very imaginative and funny. Loved it.

Love this movie, unforgettable premise. Brilliant execution, witty script, and great leads. A true classic that I've watched half a dozen times. On a par with When Harry Met Sally and Love Actually.

Such a charming film, and so insightful about what happens when we transition.

Fictional account of what happens after death. A great family movie that will make you laugh and cry. Truly enjoyable romp. Rip Torn is fantastic as Daniel's defender and Meryl Streep is funny and absolutely gorgeous. Definitely worth watching.