Overview
A whimsical journey through the afterlife where love transcends even the most daunting fears.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- warm
- whimsical
- comfort viewing
- date night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Albert Brooks's inventive afterlife premise, mature gentle humor, emotional warmth, and satisfying romantic resolution.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Judgment City processes the newly deceased through courtroom-style evaluations of their fear-driven choices.
Daniel's fear of failing the afterlife review turns self-doubt into a formal prosecution and defense.
Daniel's relationship with Julia motivates him to confront his fear of being returned to another life.
The afterlife is depicted as a welcoming waiting area whose premise offers consolation to people facing death.
Films like Defending Your Life, and why
Heaven Can Wait
Shared warm afterlife fantasy, romantic longing, and gently comic reflection on mortality.
Ghost
Shared romantic fantasy premise, bereavement themes, and emotionally accessible supernatural comedy-drama.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Shared imaginative afterlife setting, spiritual self-discovery, and bittersweet-to-uplifting emotional register.
Harold and Maude
Shared philosophical comedy, romantic tenderness, and satirical examination of personal shortcomings.
Movie Details
- Director
- Albert Brooks
- Release Date
- 1991-03-22
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (330)
Cast
- Albert Brooks
- Meryl Streep
- Rip Torn
- Lee Grant
- Michael Durrell
- James Eckhouse
- Gary Beach
- Julie Cobb
- Peter Schuck
- Time Winters
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Defending Your Life about?
- A timid advertising executive gets a postmortem chance to prove that love and courage have made him ready for a higher existence.
- What is Defending Your Life like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Defending Your Life as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Defending Your Life violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Defending Your Life as mild.
- What did critics think of Defending Your Life?
- Critics broadly praised Albert Brooks's inventive afterlife premise, mature gentle humor, emotional warmth, and satisfying romantic resolution.
- Which films are like Defending Your Life?
- Films with a similar feel include Heaven Can Wait, Ghost, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, and Harold and Maude.
- How long is Defending Your Life?
- Defending Your Life runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch Defending Your Life?
- In United States, Defending Your Life is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
