Defending Your Life (1991)
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- PG
- 1h 52min
- Comedy, Drama
- 05 Apr 1991 (USA)
- Movie
In an afterlife way-station resembling a major city, the lives of the recently deceased are examined in a court-like setting.
Director:
Writer:
Stars:
Awards:
- 5 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Albert Brooks | ... |
Daniel Miller
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| Meryl Streep | ... |
Julia
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| Rip Torn | ... |
Bob Diamond
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| Lee Grant | ... |
Lena Foster
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| Julie Cobb | ... |
Tram Guide
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Peter Schuck | ... |
Stan
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| Time Winters | ... |
Porter
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| Gary Beach | ... |
Car Salesman
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Sharlie Stuart | ... |
Susan
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Beth Black | ... |
Soap Opera Woman
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| Clayton Norcross | ... |
Soap Opera Man
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| James MacKrell | ... |
Game Show Moderator
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Wil Albert | ... |
Game Show Contestant
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Sage Allen | ... |
Game Show Contestant
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| Mary Pat Gleason | ... |
Waitress
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| Maxine Elliott Hicks | ... |
Elderly Woman on Tram
(as Maxine Elliott)
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Marilyn Rockafellow | ... |
Helen
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Roger Behr | ... |
Comedian
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| Michael Durrell | ... |
Agency Head
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Art Frankel | ... |
Arthur
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Ernie Brown | ... |
Ernie
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| George D. Wallace | ... |
Daniel's Judge
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| Lillian Lehman | ... |
Daniel's Judge
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| Raffi Di Blasio | ... |
Daniel as a Boy
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Kristopher Kent Hill | ... |
Bully
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Eric Ehasz | ... |
Child in Schoolyard
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Matthew Scharch | ... |
Daniel as an Infant
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S. Scott Bullock | ... |
Daniel's Father
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Carol Bivins | ... |
Daniel's Mother
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| Ethan Embry | ... |
Steve
(as Ethan Randall)
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| Gary Ballard | ... |
Mr. Wadworth
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Mary Mukogawa | ... |
Sushi Hostess
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Toshio Shikami | ... |
Head Sushi Chef
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Kagko Shikami | ... |
Sushi Chef
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Samee Park | ... |
Sushi Chef
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Tommy Inouye | ... |
Sushi Chef
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| Ken Thorley | ... |
Frank
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Bob Braun | ... |
Talk Show Host
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| Jenna Barlow Grodsky | ... |
Talk Show Guest
(as Jennifer Barlow)
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| Buck Henry | ... |
Dick Stanley
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| Joey Miyashima | ... |
Casio Tipster
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| Nurit Koppel | ... |
Daniel's Date
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| Susan Walters | ... |
Daniel's Wife
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Sidney Chankin | ... |
Used Car Salesman
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| Greg Finley | ... |
Used Car Salesman
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Leonard O. Turner | ... |
Sam
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Clifford Einstein | ... |
Julia's Prosecutor
(as Cliff Einstein)
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Rachel Bard | ... |
Julia's Judge
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| Newell Alexander | ... |
Julia's Judge
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| Shirley MacLaine | ... |
Shirley MacLaine
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| Hal Landon Jr. | ... |
Man in Past Lives Pavilion
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Ida Lee | ... |
Woman in Past Lives Pavilion
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Noley Thornton | ... |
Victorian Girl
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| Glen Chin | ... |
Sumo Wrestler
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James Ekim | ... |
Native
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Clarke Coleman | ... |
Knight
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Ronald L. Colby | ... |
Majestic Doorman
(as Ron Colby)
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| David Purdham | ... |
Peter
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| James Paradise | ... |
Stage Manager
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Jerry Prell | ... |
Banquet Manager
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Arell Blanton | ... |
Fire Marshall
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Shana Ballard | ... |
Julia's Daughter
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Chris Macris | ... |
Julia's Son
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Joseph Darrell | ... |
Maitre d'
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James Manis | ... |
Eduardo
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| Alex Sheafe | ... |
Martin
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Cathleen Chin | ... |
Ticket Counter Agent
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Lisa Sears | ... |
Tram Port Attendant
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Mark Dunlap | ... |
Tram Port Attendant
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Vernon Roguen | ... |
Tram Port Attendant
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Dennis Germain | ... |
Tram Driver
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| James Eckhouse | ... |
Jeep Owner
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Jorga Caye | ... |
Deceased Lady (uncredited)
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| Robert Gatewood | ... |
Afterlife traveler (uncredited)
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Douglas M. Nelson | ... |
Tram Attendee (uncredited)
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John Michael Quinn | ... |
Man in Heaven (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Albert Brooks | ||
Written by
| Albert Brooks | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Robert Grand | ... | co-producer |
| Michael Grillo | ... | producer |
| Herb Nanas | ... | executive producer (as Herbert S. Nanas) |
Music by
| Michael Gore | ||
Cinematography by
| Allen Daviau | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| David Finfer | ||
Editorial Department
| Spencer Gross | ... | associate editor |
| Judd H. Maslansky | ... | assistant editor (as Judd Maslansky) |
| Maureen Mitchell | ... | assistant editor |
| J Paul Morrisey | ... | assistant editor (as John Morrisey) |
| Robert Raring | ... | color timer |
Casting By
| Barbara Claman | ||
| Mark Saks | ||
Production Design by
| Ida Random | ||
Art Direction by
| Richard Reynolds | ||
Set Decoration by
| Linda DeScenna | ||
Costume Design by
| Deborah L. Scott | ||
Makeup Department
| Hallie D'Amore | ... | makeup artist |
| J. Roy Helland | ... | hair stylist: Ms. Streep / makeup artist: Ms. Streep |
| Marlene D. Williams | ... | hair stylist (as Marlene Williams) |
Production Management
| Robert Grand | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Fernando Castroman | ... | dga trainee |
| Carey Dietrich | ... | second assistant director |
| Michael Grillo | ... | first assistant director |
| Annette Sutera | ... | second second assistant director |
Art Department
| Larry Clark Bird | ... | property master (as Larry Bird) |
| Randy Bostic | ... | swing gang (as Randy Bostick) |
| Robert E. Denne | ... | stand-by painter (as Bob Denne) |
| Sara Gardner-Gail | ... | swing gang (as Sara Gardner) |
| David Harris | ... | greens |
| James Hegedus | ... | production illustrator |
| Martha Johnston | ... | set designer |
| Ric McElvin | ... | lead person (as Rick McElvin) |
| James F. Orendorff | ... | construction foreman (as Jamie Orendorff) |
| Donn Piller | ... | swing gang |
| John Rankin | ... | swing gang |
| George Stokes | ... | construction coordinator |
| John Thompson | ... | greens (as John D. Thompson III) |
| Ken Zimmerman | ... | assistant property master |
| Gary J. Coelho | ... | laborer gang boss (uncredited) |
| Cary Conway | ... | paint foreman (uncredited) |
| Frank White | ... | laborer (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Wayne Artman | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Gregg Barbanell | ... | foley artist |
| Jim Borgardt | ... | adr editor (as James A. Borgardt) |
| Robert Bradshaw | ... | dialogue editor |
| Joseph F. Brennan | ... | boom operator (as Joseph Brennan) |
| G.W. Brown | ... | adr editor |
| Thomas Causey | ... | production sound mixer |
| Tom E. Dahl | ... | re-recording mixer (as Tom Dahl) |
| Valerie Davidson | ... | foley editor |
| Dane A. Davis | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Melinda Garey | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Hector C. Gika | ... | dialogue editor (as Hector Gika) |
| Darrell Hall | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Tom Hammond | ... | foley editor |
| Franklin Jones Jr. | ... | re-recording mixer (as Frank Jones) |
| Kini Kay | ... | sound effects editor |
| Richard Kite | ... | boom operator |
| John Kwiatkowski | ... | sound effects editor |
| Kimberly Ellen Lowe | ... | dialogue editor (as Kimberly Lowe Voigt) |
| Joan Rowe | ... | foley artist |
| David Bondelevitch | ... | sound transfer (uncredited) |
| Val Kuklowsky | ... | sound editor (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Chris Burton | ... | special effects foreman |
| Dennis Dion | ... | special effects supervisor |
| Richard L. Hill | ... | special effects technician (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
| Ken Allen | ... | matte artist: DQI |
| Scott Beattie | ... | motion control supervisor: DQI |
| Mat Beck | ... | visual effects supervisor: DQI |
| Jeff Burks | ... | animation supervisor: DQI |
| Rob Burton | ... | motion control supervisor: DQI |
| Jon Farhat | ... | visual effects artist: DQI |
| David Goldberg | ... | model supervisor: DQI (as Dave Goldberg) |
| Erik Henry | ... | visual effects editor: DQI |
| Fred Iguchi | ... | electronics supervisor: DQI |
| Rick Johnson | ... | blue screen technician: DQI (as Richard Johnson) |
| Jeff Matakovich | ... | optical supervisor: DQI |
| Robert Scifo | ... | matte artist: DQI |
| Robert Stadd | ... | visual effects producer: DQI |
| Brian Adams | ... | matte photography: Dream Quest Images (uncredited) |
| Kevin Scott Mack | ... | model painter (uncredited) |
| Linda Renaud | ... | visual effects editor (uncredited) |
| James Valentine | ... | rotoscope supervisor (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Bill Erickson | ... | stunt coordinator |
| Jeff Jensen | ... | stunts |
| Paul E. Short | ... | stunts (as Paul Short) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Tom Bookout | ... | second grip |
| Eric Engler | ... | camera operator |
| Michael Kenner | ... | key grip |
| Bobby Mancuso | ... | second assistant camera |
| William R. Mayberry | ... | assistant chief lighting technician (as Bill Mayberry) |
| Carol McCullough | ... | still photographer |
| Robert W. Meyers | ... | rigging gaffer (as Robert Meyers) |
| Reggie Newkirk | ... | first assistant camera |
| Randy Nolen | ... | panaglide operator |
| Jim Shelton | ... | dolly grip |
| Larry Wallace | ... | chief lighting technician |
| Lee Redmond | ... | camera operator: pick-up shots (uncredited) |
| László Regos | ... | steadicam operator (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Maggie Erickson | ... | casting assistant |
| Laura Adler | ... | casting assistant (uncredited) |
| Jenny O'Haver | ... | casting assistant (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Phyllis Corcoran-Woods | ... | set costumer |
| John George | ... | set costumer |
| Greg Hall | ... | set costumer |
| Deborah Hopper | ... | set costumer |
| George L. Little | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
Location Management
| Steph Benseman | ... | location manager |
| Lauren Ross | ... | assistant location manager |
| Robert Foulkes | ... | assistant location manager (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Joel Moss | ... | music scoring mixer |
| Curtis Roush | ... | music editor |
| Shirley Walker | ... | orchestrator |
| Tom Boyd | ... | musician: oboe soloist (uncredited) |
| Tom Brown | ... | music preparation (uncredited) |
| Bruce Fowler | ... | additional orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Malcolm McNab | ... | musician: trumpet (uncredited) |
| Louise Di Tullio | ... | musician: flute (uncredited) |
| Shirley Walker | ... | conductor (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Luca Kouimelis | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Tom Dias | ... | transportation captain |
| Daniel Quick | ... | transportation coordinator |
| John Sagray | ... | driver (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Michael Antunez | ... | tram coordinator |
| Christina Bennett | ... | assistant production office coordinator |
| Cheri Hall | ... | assistant accountant |
| Lloyd Hamm | ... | tram consultant |
| Michael Haro | ... | staff assistant |
| Patti Hawn | ... | unit publicist |
| Peter E. Hirsch | ... | staff assistant (as Peter Hirsch) |
| Jiovanni Iacoviello | ... | staff assistant (as John Iacoviello) |
| Ruben Martinez | ... | craft service |
| Fran Messer | ... | assistant: Mr. Nanas |
| Jack E. Pelissier Jr. | ... | staff assistant |
| Laura Petticord | ... | staff assistant |
| Nancy Ramey | ... | production accountant |
| Jason Roberts | ... | staff assistant |
| Susan Schader | ... | assistant: Mr. Brooks |
| Catherine Varvaro | ... | assistant: Mr. Grillo |
| Lisbeth Wynn-Owen | ... | production office coordinator |
| Bill Daly | ... | post-production accountant (uncredited) |
| Frank Ramey | ... | Location PA (uncredited) |
| Linda Stone | ... | studio teacher (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Paul Slansky | ... | special thanks: for his invaluable support |
Production Companies
- Geffen Pictures (presents)
Distributors
- Geffen Pictures (1991) (United States) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1991) (United States) (theatrical) (through)
- Warner Bros. (1991) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Argentina Video Home (1992) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1992) (Netherlands) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1992) (Germany) (VHS)
- RTL Entertainment (1995) (Netherlands) (tv) (RTL5)
- TV4 (1996) (Sweden) (tv)
- Warner Home Video (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
- HBO Max (2021) (United States) (video) (VOD)
- Pioneer Entertainment (laserdisc)
- Warner Home Video (United States) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (United States) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (United States) (laserdisc)
- Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (DVD)
- Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
Special Effects
- Dream Quest Images (visual effects)
Other Companies
- Cenex Casting (extras casting)
- City and County of Los Angeles (the producers wish to thank: for their cooperation in this production)
- Columbia Records (soundtrack)
- D. Bassett & Associates (negative cutting)
- Dolby Stereo (in selected theatres)
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (I.A.T.S.E. affiliated with A.F.L.-C.I.O.: this picture made under the jurisdiction of)
- Michelson Food Services (caterer)
- Motion Picture Association (MPA) (no. 30916)
- Orange County, California (the producers wish to thank: for their cooperation in this production)
- Pacific Title (titles and opticals)
- Panavision (lenses and camera)
- Saxon/Ross Film Design (title design)
- Technicolor (Color by)
- The State of California (the producers wish to thank: for their cooperation in this production)
- Video Image (video services)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Just after being killed in a car crash, Daniel Miller finds himself in Judgment City, a waiting area for the newly deceased. While there, one must prove in a courtroom-style process that he successfully overcame his fears. Daniel meets Julia in an afterlife comedy club, and falls in love with her. Julia seems to have what it takes to move to the 'next stage' of existence, but Daniel's worried he'll be sent back - and lose the one person he loves so much.
Written by Jon Reeves |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | The first true story of what happens after you die. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | In 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. See more » |
| Goofs | When 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. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Class Action/If Looks Could Kill/Guilty by Suspicion/True Colors (1991). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Something's Coming See more » |
| Quotes |
Comedian:
Well, there's a nice-looking young man over there. Hi, how'd ya die? Daniel Miller: On stage, like you. See more » |