Review of Defending Your Life (1991) by Sam R — 15 Jul 2009

Totally forgotten gem! This beautiful little film encourages us all to be less afraid of our choices in life, and me courageous. It is one of these feel-good movies which is good to watch when you are down. For the time when it was done, it was executed beautifully, with the whole Judgment city becoming somewhat believable as the train stop on your way somewhere else.

Albert Brooks is fantastic here, with such dry wit humor that the only thing you want is to see him on stage. (Does he do stage?) This film would have been so difficult if the main character wouldn't have been so likable, because the story hinges on you liking him and wanting him to move on.

Though the romance, so strong after only couple of nights, is somewhat quick and hard-boiled it does not become unbelievable. Both Meryl Streep and Albert Brooks are such great actors that they know how to underplay the romance rather than forcing the issue, bringing the audience to believe that here two souls have meet and fallen in love.

In fact, there are few missteps if any in this movie. I would have liked to see more of fun features of Judgment city, but maybe the fact that the filmmakers don't explore to much - but stick to the human interaction is what makes Defending Your Life such a wonderful film.

If you haven't seen it - See it. I promise you it is worth it.