Defending Life (1991)

Defending Life (1991)

9/10

Starring

Albert Brooks

Meryl Streep

Directed by Albert Brooks

I just love seeing Meryl Streep. She’s one person who can make you fall in love with the character you’re watching on screen, whether they’re the protagonist or the antagonist. She brings this movie to life in a way that makes you want to be Daniel. Her elegance and poise make this one of the most memorable romantic comedies I’ve ever seen.

I remember watching it back in the ’90s, and the scene where Daniel (Albert Brooks) goes after Julia (Meryl Streep), jumping onto a moving tram, has stayed with me all my life. It’s there that she looks at him and says gently, “Hold on! Hold on! Just please, hold on! Hold on.” At that moment, I just knew she wasn’t going to go on without him.

The movie isn’t just a romantic comedy—it’s also a drama that deals with the afterlife and facing judgment for every act we commit on Earth. It was written, directed by, and starred Albert Brooks [the voice of Marlin in Finding Nemo (2003) and Finding Dory (2016)].

Without giving away too much, the movie starts with an introduction to Daniel. On his birthday, he’s gifted a CD player at work and gives a funny, wonderful speech upon receiving it. He takes it a step further by buying himself a car, which he drives off in, planning to spend his birthday alone. On his way to solitude, he looks away for a moment while driving and hits a bus. He wakes up on the other side, being wheeled in a wheelchair. He’s so tired and unable to gather himself to speak or fully grasp where he is or what’s happening. He’s taken to a hotel, shown to his room, and goes to bed immediately.

Later, he’s woken by a call and meets his defender, Daniel. He’s informed he’s in a place for judgment to determine if he lived a full life, free of fears and regrets. He’s like a spirit there—he can’t be hurt or gain weight. He’ll sit through a hearing where two judges will decide if he should move onward or be sent back to Earth. Daniel isn’t having the best hearing, but things change when he goes to a comedy club and meets a woman named Julia.

With an amazing musical score that hits all the right notes as the movie progresses, this is a fantastic film to watch. But as amazing a film this is, the pacing slows down at times, especially when the courtroom-style scenes start feeling repetitive. The concept is unique, but the world-building could have used a bit more depth. Some supporting characters feel underdeveloped, and while the romance is sweet, it moves a little too fast to be fully convincing.

I’ll be watching it again just because of how great it is.