In an afterlife way-station resembling a major city, the lives of the recently deceased are examined in a court-like setting.In an afterlife way-station resembling a major city, the lives of the recently deceased are examined in a court-like setting.In an afterlife way-station resembling a major city, the lives of the recently deceased are examined in a court-like setting.
- Awards
- 5 nominations
Maxine Elliott Hicks
- Elderly Woman on Tram
- (as Maxine Elliott)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn a scene set in a comedy club, a terrible comedian performs a stand-up comedy act. This comedian asks Daniel (writer/director lead Albert Brooks ) how Daniel died. Daniel says "on stage, like you." Daniel later jokes that he can't leave before the end of the act because the guy on stage is his father. "No, I'm kidding. That would be so sad for me." This entire interaction is a dark and elaborate in-joke. Albert Brooks' father, Harry Einstein, actually was a comedian who died on stage at the Friar's Club, just after he finished his roast style comedy routine.
- GoofsWhen Daniel and Julia are walking up to hotel for the first time, the front of the hotel very clearly has a canvas overlay saying "Majestic Hotel", covering the real name of the hotel being used.
- Quotes
Comedian: Well, there's a nice-looking young man over there. Hi, how'd ya die?
Daniel Miller: On stage, like you.
- SoundtracksSomething's Coming
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Performed by Barbra Streisand
Courtesy of CBS Records Music Licensing Department
Featured review
I have never felt so good after watching a movie
This movie is the very definition of "feel good movie."
This is a true laugh a minute while still managing to be insightful film. I watched this movie with my grandparents and all three of us burst out laughing at the same times. I don't think I've ever seen a movie where that's happened before. This movie will appeal to anyone... the jokes, you just can't miss them. It's touching and mind bogglingly hilarious at the same time. And the ending is phenomonal! Watch this movie just for the ending. :) Take two hours out of your life and watch a movie that I promise you, you won't soon forget. Watch it with your family and have someone to laugh with.
I am going to see this movie over and over again, and I don't usually say that about movies. Interestingly enough, I was reading a self help book that turned out to be a complete bore the night before but which used "Defending Your Life" as an example for something they were trying to prove. I thought, hmm, that sounds interesting, but it's probably one of those old obscure movies I'll never get a chance to see. The very next day, I was in the video store just by chance, and while I was walking down the Comedy isle this movie jumped out at me. "Hey! That was the book I read about last night!" I thought. I got the movie and I wasn't dissapointed. What a way to make my day.
Thank you Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep!
This is a true laugh a minute while still managing to be insightful film. I watched this movie with my grandparents and all three of us burst out laughing at the same times. I don't think I've ever seen a movie where that's happened before. This movie will appeal to anyone... the jokes, you just can't miss them. It's touching and mind bogglingly hilarious at the same time. And the ending is phenomonal! Watch this movie just for the ending. :) Take two hours out of your life and watch a movie that I promise you, you won't soon forget. Watch it with your family and have someone to laugh with.
I am going to see this movie over and over again, and I don't usually say that about movies. Interestingly enough, I was reading a self help book that turned out to be a complete bore the night before but which used "Defending Your Life" as an example for something they were trying to prove. I thought, hmm, that sounds interesting, but it's probably one of those old obscure movies I'll never get a chance to see. The very next day, I was in the video store just by chance, and while I was walking down the Comedy isle this movie jumped out at me. "Hey! That was the book I read about last night!" I thought. I got the movie and I wasn't dissapointed. What a way to make my day.
Thank you Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep!
Helpful•386
- reishi9154
- Dec 26, 2001
- Permalink
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Camino al paraíso
- Filming locations
- 770 The City Drive South, Orange, California, USA(Defenders Circle exterior)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $16,371,128
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $92,622
- Mar 24, 1991
- Gross worldwide
- $16,371,596
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![Meryl Streep and Albert Brooks in Defending Your Life (1991)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNTE4M2NmOTgtMjVhOS00MTY3LWFmMjAtMWRhYmI1YzE3NWY0XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzc5MjA3OA@@._V1_QL75_UY133_CR0,0,90,133_.jpg)