Defending Your Life (1991)

-Written by Kyle Bain.

When Daniel Miller (Albert Brooks) dies suddenly, he finds himself in the afterlife, forced to defend the actions of his lifetime. Defending Your Life is a visceral and cathartic venture into the great unknown. That’s not only the afterlife, but the great unknown that is life itself. 

Brooks, who also acts as writer, director, and producer, hopes to birth a film that reaches the everyman, and allows viewers from all walks of life to find solace in its content. Defending Your Life absolutely works, allowing viewers access relatively early in the narrative. 

I want to start with what doesn’t work. The most glaring issue for me is the fact that it took more than an hour to be able to appreciate Daniel. His character is somehow both simplistic and convoluted, and neither thing works in favor of the character in the early going. Defending Your Life relies heavily on whether or not Daniel works in the grand scheme of the narrative, and, again, it takes far too long for this character to develop in a way that is able to resonate with viewers. Much of that stems from the fact that it’s incredibly difficult to understand what he is. What is this particular character’s purpose in Defending Your Life? Is he meant to be the poster child for the trial process in Judgement City? Is he meant to represent the many flaws of mankind? I believe that the answer is “both.” Again, however, that doesn’t become apparent until nearly two-thirds of the way into the film; and Daniel is less of an enigma in the early going, and more of a cancer. 

I am a proponent of open-ended films. I believe that forcing viewers to mull over the potential that exists in the moments after a film’s conclusion only adds to its depth and has the potential to strengthen an audience’s appreciation for the narrative and the film as a whole. Defending Your Life doesn’t feel open ended, however--it simply feels incomplete. As the film fades to black and the credits begin to roll, I wasn’t necessarily concerned about what happens to Daniel and Julia (Meryl Streep) specifically; I didn’t need to know what their lives looked like after their stay in Judgement City. What I did want to know, however, was whether or not the juice was worth the squeeze. These two characters (predominantly Daniel) spend their time defending their character, but why is it so important to move forward rather than being reincarnated on earth once more? Is the grass truly greener? Who knows…but I wish that Brooks has given viewers a glimpse into the world beyond Judgement City, just a bit of understanding about what all of this was for.

For all intents and purposes, these are the only true mishaps in my opinion regarding Defending Your Life. The rest, while certainly not flawless, tends to work in favor of the film as a whole, able to resonate with viewers and present them something honest, accessible, and interesting. 

I’m particularly fond of the array of characters that play a role in Daniel’s experience, in determining whether or not he’s fit to move on. Both Bob Diamond (Rip Torn) and Lena Foster (Lee Grant) play pivotal roles not only in developing Daniel, but the film as a whole. They are, in many ways, the lifeblood of Defending Your Life. They are the conscience of the film, which allows viewers to better understand the purpose of Brooks’ vision. Their presence in the film works wonders for the story, envelops viewers, and adds a depth (that isn’t necessarily needed, but incredibly welcome). 

What ultimately makes the film the most immersive, the most accessible is the set design. A juxtaposition of endless hopes and dreams spread across the fictional landscape of Judgement City and the monochromatic, claustrophobic cells in which those in question defend their lives help to develop a very visceral experience. Defending Your Life exists on the entire spectrum of color, of simplicity--particularly regarding the set design. The film continues to shift back and forth, mirroring the real world, but also effectively transporting viewers to a place that is unfamiliar, yet equally challenging and inventive as the world in which we live. Again, the combination of the exponential expanse of Judgement City and the claustrophobic nature of the hearings create a juxtapositionally exciting world that works on a series of levels to develop Defending Your Life. 

Defending Your Life is a therapist’s dream, an opportunity to analyze every ounce of human nature in one fell swoop. The film is an invitation into the human mind, an opportunity to explore every unique corner, every piece of an ever-changing puzzle. Brooks’ analysis of mankind seems apt, honest--and it remains accessible throughout. Defending Your Life, while beginning slowly, quickly develops into something more rich and emotionally relevant. 

Written & Directed by Albert Brooks. 

Starring Albert Brooks, Maryl Streep, Rip Torn, Lee Grant, etc. 

8.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING