Rating: 
Summary: Flawed but fascinating
Review: This movie isn't perfect but that hasn't kept me from watching it over and over again (I've lost count of the times). Mr. Brooks and an ensemble cast turn in an intellectually satisfying performance with scenes that continue to make you chuckle (and think) long afterwards.
Rating: 
Summary: You better be perfect or else!
Review: This movie shows us that in order to move on to a better life, we can't make any mistakes. For instance, if you let a kid bully you in elementary school. If you are perfect and have saved people from at least one fire, you might get to go to Heaven. This movie makes me want to vomit with rage.
Rating: 
Summary: Another smash by this countrie's funniest filmaker!
Review: This one was almost surreal but yet it made me laugh so hard. The thing that was most surprising to me was Meryl Streep's hilarious performance. She is one our counries best but this job was way above average. She was so sexy and innocent it was like she was floating.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful, wonderful, funny movie!!
Review: This really is a great, great, great film. Albert Brooks' sense of humor is tremendous, and Meryl Streep -- who, I must admit, I've never really been a big fan of -- has never been so beautiful and captivating. This movie is able to be simultaneously funny and touching, which is a rare thing. It truly has something for everyone. Guys and women alike can love this film.
Rating:
Summary: Funny, light-hearted comedy with a message.
Review: We all have questions about life-after-death -- if this is the way it's going to be, then I'm ok with it. I love this movie!!! I'm buying it for my home entertainment center.
Rating: 
Summary: Or should the title have been FEAR STRIKES OUT?
Review: With a film titled DEFENDING YOUR LIFE, wouldn't you think it will be about someone who has to defend his wrong actions on Judgement Day? Instead, it throws a curve. Without giving away the story, DEFENDING YOUR LIFE is not about a lowlife (dishonest car salesman or philandering husband) who has to sweat out his deeds in the afterlife. I think that would have been funnier than what the film turned out to be. At least DEFENDING YOUR LIFE wasn't predictable.
Rating:
Summary: And I Only Use How Much Of My Brain?
Review: Writer, director and star Albert Brooks hits his stride to perfection in the out-of-this-world (literally) comedy "Defending Your Life," which also stars Meryl Streep. Daniel Miller (Brooks) has just celebrated his birthday; on his way home from work, in a new car and with a stack of new CD's (presents from co-workers), he becomes distracted, has a close encounter with a bus, and does not survive. The next thing he knows, he's aboard a tram somewhere, en route to a place called "Judgment City," which has all the amenities of a resort, and has the best food he's ever had, ever (and you can eat as much as you want, and never gain weight). He's put up in a fine hotel, and a phone call later he is in the office of Bob Diamond (Rip Torn), who he learns is to be his defense counselor in a trial during which his entire life is to be judged. Did he make the most of his life? Make the right decisions? Was he able to conquer his fears, or did he always take the easy way because he was afraid? The decision of the two Judges (George Wallace and Lillian Lehman) who will hear his case will determine his future. Will he have to "Go back," and try it all again in another life on earth, or will he be deemed ready to "Move on." Brooks has created a tableau of colorful, memorable characters here, surrounding Daniel Miller as we follow his progress from one hilarious scene to the next. As Julia, a fellow defendant whom Daniel meets and falls in love with, Meryl Streep is an absolute joy to watch. Lee Grant, as Lena Foster, Daniel's prosecutor, is also in top form. But Rip Torn, as the exuberant Bob Diamond, is the one who practically steals the show, with a performance that should have garnered him a best supporting actor nomination. The scene in which Diamond explains to Daniel that the average person on earth only uses three percent of available brain capacity (he calls them "Little brains") is hysterical. Other memorable scenes involve a visit by Daniel and Julia to the "Past Lives Pavilion," wherein they encounter a number of surprises, and one in which they are having dinner, and Daniel is embarrassed by a waiter who wants to give him "nine pies" to take home, and by Julia, who digs into a plate of pasta with gusto and sucks in the longest noodle, apparently, in all of Judgment City, and all while Lena Foster looks on from another table across the room; all of which adds up to plenty of laughs. The supporting cast also includes Art Frankel (Arthur), Ernie Brown (Ernie), Gary Beach (Car salesman), Peter Schuck (Stan), Sharlie Stuart, and Buck Henry, doing an especially funny turn as Dick Stanley, a defense counselor who fills in for Bob Diamond one day, and who doesn't like to "toot his own horn." "Defending Your Life" is a witty, imaginative conjuring by Brooks, who uses his magic formula to deliver a classic comedy that you will want to watch over and over again. And it will be the best you ever tasted, ever.
Rating:
Summary: When I die...
Review: you'll find me at the Krispy Creme -- a steady stream of fresh, hot sweeties in one hand & a diet pepsi (I choose diet pepsi over regular, ok) in the other! No more carb worries, hooray!It's really a shame more people didn't see this charming film -- terrific writing & acting! I saw it by accident when it first came out in theatres, always stop to watch it when I come across it on cable, finally have it on DVD and continue to refer to years later, unfortunately few people get the cinematic reference. In the meantime I continue to recommend it to all!
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