Defending Your Life

Defending Your Life

112 mins | Comedy, Romance, Fantasy | March 22, 1991

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.

Defending Your Life

112 mins | Comedy, Romance, Fantasy | March 22, 1991

Defending Your Life
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.
IMDb rating 7.2
Producers Geffen Pictures
Original title Defending Your Life
Directors Annette Sutera, Luca Kouimelis, Carey Dietrich, Michael Grillo, Albert Brooks
Writers Albert Brooks

Cast

Albert Brooks

as Daniel Miller

Meryl Streep

as Julia

Rip Torn

as Bob Diamond

Lee Grant

as Lena Foster

Michael Durrell

as Agency Head

James Eckhouse

as Jeep Owner

Gary Beach

as Car Salesman

Julie Cobb

as Tram Guide

Peter Schuck

as Stan

Time Winters

as Porter

Sharlie Stuart

as Susan

Beth Black

as Soap Opera Woman

Clayton Norcross

as Soap Opera Man

Jim McKrell

as Game Show Moderator

Wil Albert

as Game Show Contestant

Sage Allen

as Game Show Contestant

Mary Pat Gleason

as Waitress

Maxine Elliott Hicks

as Elderly Woman on Tram

Roger Behr

as Comedian

Art Frankel

as Arthur

Ernie Brown

as Ernie

George Wallace

as Daniel's Judge

Lillian Lehman

as Daniel's Judge

Raffi Di Blasio

as Daniel as a Boy

Eric Ehasz

as Child in Schoolyard

Matthew Scharch

as Daniel as an Infant

S. Scott Bullock

as Daniel's Father

Carol Bivins

as Daniel's Mother

Ethan Embry

as Steve

Gary Ballard

as Mr. Wadworth

Mary Mukogawa

as Sushi Hostess

Toshio Shikami

as Head Sushi Chef

Samee Park

as Sushi Chef

Kagko Shikami

as Sushi Chef

Tommy Inouye

as Sushi Chef

Ken Thorley

as Frank

Bob Braun

as Talk Show Host

Jennifer Barlow

as Talk Show Guest

Buck Henry

as Dick Stanley

Joey Miyashima

as Casio Tipster

Nurit Koppel

as Daniel's Date

Susan Walters

as Daniel's Wife

Sidney Chankin

as Used Car Salesman

Greg Finley

as Used Car Salesman

Clifford Einstein

as Julia's Prosecutor

Rachel Bard

as Julia's Judge

Newell Alexander

as Julia's Judge

Shirley MacLaine

as Shirley MacLaine

Hal Landon Jr.

as Man in Past Lives Pavilion

Ida Lee

as Woman in Past Lives Pavilion

Noley Thornton

as Victorian Girl

Glen Chin

as Sumo Wrestler

James Ekim

as Native

Clarke Coleman

as Knight

Ronald L. Colby

as Majestic Doorman

David Purdham

as Peter

James Paradise

as Stage Manager

Jerry Prell

as Banquet Manager

Arell Blanton

as Fire Marshall

Shana Ballard

as Julia's Daughter

Chris Macris

as Julia's Son

Joseph Darrell

as Maitre d'

James Manis

as Eduardo

Alex Sheafe

as Martin

Cathleen Chin

as Ticket Counter Agent

Lisa Sears

as Tram Port Attendant

Mark Dunlap

as Tram Port Attendant

Vernon Roguen

as Tram Port Attendant

Dennis Germain

as Tram Driver