Rating: 
Summary: ALL TIME FAVORITE!
Review: The subtle, intelligent humor is classic. Meryl Streep is wonderful and Albert Brooks is hilarious! Great entertainment without violence or foul language! I recommend this one to all my friends - an all-time favorite!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: This extremely entertaining film focuses on Albert Brooks as a man who dies in an accident and ends of in a stop-off point between Earth and Heaven. It turns out that when you die, your life is reviewed and if you merit it, you proceed to Heaven otherwise you are sent back to Earth to live your life again. The problem with Brooks is that he has been sent back so much that this is his last chance or he will be reduced to nothingness.
Defending Brooks' life is his lawyer played brilliantly by Rip Torn against the vicious prosecutor (Lee Grant). While in a restuarant on the first night Brooks meets Meryl Streep who is also there for the same purpose.
While Brooks' life was plagued with cowardice and failure, Streep was a valiant person that cared deeply for others. We can't figure out what Streep's attraction is for such a loser like Brooks but as their time together progresses, some of Streep's raw nerve start to rub off on Brooks.
There are some really hilarious scenes including a cameo by Shirley MacClaine in the Hall of Memories and the differences in the hotels assigned to Streep and Brooks.
I really loved this movie and can watch it over and over!
Rating:
Summary: great movie
Review: This is a great movie, Albert Brooks is one of the great comical writers of this generation. Very clever and very enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: one of best and witty comedies ever made
Review: This is just a masterpiece. A perfect combination of humour, great acting, intelligent script, romance, and a lovingly ending. Ah! And a great music score too. Rent it, bought it, borrow it, whatever. Just don't miss this one.
Rating:
Summary: I'm buying 10 copies for gifts this year
Review: This is one of my all-time favorite movies. I've always said that I think this movie should be required viewing for every high school student. I've been so inspired by this movie - inspired to look at my fears, to live in present moments, and to have fun.
Rating:
Summary: Both a Comedy and Something to Look Over
Review: This movie and "Meet Joe Black have something in common. I was lucky to come across in a store the last DVD that contain both "Meet Joe Black" and "Death Takes a Holiday" on a second disc. "Meet Joe Black" was also presented in DTS 5.1 Surround Sound. I never had seen "Death Takes a Holiday" before and so when I watch it after seeing "Meet Joe Black" I was surprise by the beauty of it. I usually don't enjoy films dating back to 1934 but this is very good.
I hope someday that Universal will re-release these two movies together again on DVD. I recommend at this time to buy the VHS version of "Death Takes a Holiday" so you can enjoy the movie.
"Defending Your Life is funny but it does make you set back and start to wonder. Even if it conflicts with your belief it is just a movie and very entertaining. I recommend it to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling
Review: This movie causes you to give considerable thought to how you're living your life. Albert Brooks is Daniel Miller, the type of guy everyone can identify with. Rip Torn, as always, does an excellent job with his role. Meryl Streep is the perfect actress, as always. This movie is very well-done and the ideas stay with you long after you've viewed it. Philosophical and comedic; compelling and heart-warming; what more could you ask from a movie?
Rating: 
Summary: For anyone who regrets anything they didn't do in life
Review: This movie has a wonderful message for anyone who regrets anything they didn't accomplish in life because of fear: fear of failure, of risk, of rejection. Brooks delivers his message, along with a tremendous amount of laughs, in this slickly packaged movie. Defending Your Life also has an enormous number of very funny pop culture references.From Mercedes dealerships to Barbra Striesand to the hotel/motel industry in America, this movie pokes fun at modern life, as well as at the afterlife. One of its most important messages? After we die, we can "eat as much as we want."
Rating:
Summary: I have never felt so good after watching a movie in my life
Review: This movie is the very definition of "feel good movie." This is a true laugh a minute while still managing to be insightful film. I watched this movie with my grandparents and all three of us burst out laughing at the same times. I don't think I've ever seen a movie where that's happened before. This movie will appeal to anyone... the jokes, you just can't miss them. It's touching and mind bogglingly hilarious at the same time. And the ending is phenomonal! Watch this movie just for the ending. :) Take two hours out of your life and watch a movie that I promise you, you won't soon forget. Watch it with your family and have someone to laugh with. I am going to see this movie over and over again, and I don't usually say that about movies. Interestingly enough, I was reading a self help
book that turned out to be a complete bore the night before but which used "Defending Your Life" as an example for something they were trying to prove. I thought, hmm, that sounds interesting, but it's probably one of those old obscure movies I'll never get a chance to see. The very next day, I was in the video store just by chance, and while I was walking down the Comedy isle this movie jumped out at me. "Hey! That was the book I read about last night!" I thought. I got the movie and I wasn't dissapointed. What a way to make my day. Thank you Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep!
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite movies
Review: This movie is wonderful! It gives you that comfortable easy feeling that so very few films can really deliver without being false in some way. Meryl Streep shines as Julia, the lovely woman of Albert Brook's dreams. She is so down to earth that we all fall in love with her. I love the subtlety of this picture. I love the well filled out characters that populate the film My favorite is the waiter at the Italian restaurant, he is so funny! Whoever said that this film has wonderful attention to detail is right. You can watch this film ten times (and I have!), and see something new every time. It is also inspirational, in addition to being humorous. Fear is our worst enemy. It keeps us from the things we love, it bogs us down with trivialities and leads to an ultimately meaningless life. This film explores these themes with a light touch. Also, if you are looking for a film with no sex, no real violence, and very mild language, this is the one for you. This film is terrific, it is in my top 5 favorite movies list. I highly recommend it!
|
