Defending Your Life

The first true story of what happens after you die.

6.9 / 10

English / 111 min. / 1991-03-22

Storyline:

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.

Cast:

Albert Brooks

Albert Brooks

as Daniel Miller

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep

as Julia

Rip Torn

Rip Torn

as Bob Diamond

Lee Grant

Lee Grant

as Lena Foster

Michael Durrell

Michael Durrell

as Agency Head

James Eckhouse

James Eckhouse

as Jeep Owner

Gary Beach

Gary Beach

as Car Salesman

Julie Cobb

Julie Cobb

as Tram Guide

Peter Schuck

Peter Schuck

as Stan

Time Winters

Time Winters

as Porter

Sharlie Stuart

Sharlie Stuart

as Susan

Beth Black

Beth Black

as Soap Opera Woman

Clayton Norcross

Clayton Norcross

as Soap Opera Man

Jim McKrell

Jim McKrell

as Game Show Moderator

Wil Albert

Wil Albert

as Game Show Contestant

Sage Allen

Sage Allen

as Game Show Contestant

Mary Pat Gleason

Mary Pat Gleason

as Waitress

Maxine Elliott Hicks

Maxine Elliott Hicks

as Elderly Woman on Tram

Marilyn Rockafellow

Marilyn Rockafellow

as Helen

Roger Behr

Roger Behr

as Comedian

Art Frankel

Art Frankel

as Arthur

Ernie Brown

Ernie Brown

as Ernie

George D. Wallace

George D. Wallace

as Daniel's Judge

Lillian Lehman

Lillian Lehman

as Daniel's Judge

Raffi Di Blasio

Raffi Di Blasio

as Daniel as a Boy

Kristopher Kent Hill

Kristopher Kent Hill

as Bully

Eric Ehasz

Eric Ehasz

as Child in Schoolyard

Matthew Scharch

Matthew Scharch

as Daniel as an Infant

S. Scott Bullock

S. Scott Bullock

as Daniel's Father

Carol Bivins

Carol Bivins

as Daniel's Mother

Ethan Embry

Ethan Embry

as Steve

Gary Ballard

Gary Ballard

as Mr. Wadworth

Mary Mukogawa

Mary Mukogawa

as Sushi Hostess

Toshio Shikami

Toshio Shikami

as Head Sushi Chef

Samee Park

Samee Park

as Sushi Chef

Kagko Shikami

Kagko Shikami

as Sushi Chef

Tommy Inouye

Tommy Inouye

as Sushi Chef

Ken Thorley

Ken Thorley

as Frank

Bob Braun

Bob Braun

as Talk Show Host

Jennifer Barlow Grodsky

Jennifer Barlow Grodsky

as Talk Show Guest

Buck Henry

Buck Henry

as Dick Stanley

Joey Miyashima

Joey Miyashima

as Casio Tipster

Nurit Koppel

Nurit Koppel

as Daniel's Date

Susan Walters

Susan Walters

as Daniel's Wife

Sidney Chankin

Sidney Chankin

as Used Car Salesman

Greg Finley

Greg Finley

as Used Car Salesman

Leonard O. Turner

Leonard O. Turner

as Sam

Clifford Einstein

Clifford Einstein

as Julia's Prosecutor

Rachel Bard

Rachel Bard

as Julia's Judge

Newell Alexander

Newell Alexander

as Julia's Judge

Shirley MacLaine

Shirley MacLaine

as Shirley MacLaine

Hal Landon Jr.

Hal Landon Jr.

as Man in Past Lives Pavilion

Ida Lee

Ida Lee

as Woman in Past Lives Pavilion

Noley Thornton

Noley Thornton

as Victorian Girl

Glen Chin

Glen Chin

as Sumo Wrestler

James Ekim

James Ekim

as Native

Clarke Coleman

Clarke Coleman

as Knight

Ronald L. Colby

Ronald L. Colby

as Majestic Doorman

David Purdham

David Purdham

as Peter

James Paradise

James Paradise

as Stage Manager

Jerry Prell

Jerry Prell

as Banquet Manager

Arell Blanton

Arell Blanton

as Fire Marshall

Shana Ballard

Shana Ballard

as Julia's Daughter

Chris Macris

Chris Macris

as Julia's Son

Joseph Darrell

Joseph Darrell

as Maitre d'

James Manis

James Manis

as Eduardo

Alex Sheafe

Alex Sheafe

as Martin

Cathleen Chin

Cathleen Chin

as Ticket Counter Agent

Lisa Sears

Lisa Sears

as Tram Port Attendant

Mark Dunlap

Mark Dunlap

as Tram Port Attendant

Vernon Roguen

Vernon Roguen

as Tram Port Attendant

Dennis Germain

Dennis Germain

as Tram Driver

Jorga Caye

Jorga Caye

as Deceased Lady (uncredited)

Robert Gatewood

Robert Gatewood

as Afterlife Traveler (uncredited)

John Michael Quinn

John Michael Quinn

as Man in Heaven (uncredited)

Douglas M. Nelson

Douglas M. Nelson

as Tram Attendee (uncredited)