Defending Your Life (1991)
Tuesday, February 14th, 2006
Written & Directed by: Albert Brooks
Cast: Albert Brooks, Meryl Streep, Rip Torn, James Eckhouse
Runtime: 112 min
Rating: PG
Trailer
Albert Brooks is essentially the west coast version of Woody Allen. Where Allen makes films exploring intellectual Manhattan yuppies battling their neuroses, Brooks tackles the same issues using high-powered Los Angelino’s - usually with the same self deprecating humor and wit. There are exceptions of course between the two, none more dramatic than their visual styles as directors. Woody Allen is more of a stylist who often references (read: steals) shots straight from the European masters of cinema like Fellini and especially Bergman, lending his films a certain gravitas. On the other hand, Albert Brooks plays it a little more safe and conventional; this lack of visual flair keeps Defending Your Life from being something truly special. Daniel Miller (Brooks) is a lonely nondescript executive who dies after crashing his brand new BMW head-on into a bus. He is suddenly transported to Judgment City - a city, modeled after Los Angeles that acts as a way station to the afterlife. Bob Diamond (Rip Torn), his lawyer-cum-guardian angel, helps Daniel defend his life in front of a panel of judges. When not in trial, he meets Julia (Meryl Streep) and they are instantly smitten with each other, even though Julia’s trial is fairing much better than Daniel’s, meaning she will most likely move on into the afterlife and Daniel will have to repeat his life over again. The film works as a romantic comedy with a bizarre setting but slips when dealing with the bigger concept of death and redemption. During his trial, Daniel must defend his inaction during key events of his life as they play out on a large screen, much like the idea of A Christmas Carol. But where Dickens’ tale makes for an arresting visual story, Brooks squanders his opportunity to elevate a good premise to something exciting and interesting to watch. Instead, Brooks has the judges and the lawyers sit in darkened room literally watching clips of Daniel’s life on a projection screen in front of them. And, every time a new clip begins and ends, Daniel’s motorized chair slowly turns from the screen to the judges and back again. To say that this lack of imagination saps the film of any energy is an understatement, and ultimately you can’t help but shudder at the thought of Daniel going back to the trial day after day. Where the film works though is in the romance between Daniel and Julia. In a move that is uncommon to most romantic comedies, both characters fall in love with each other instantly – saving the audience the standard courtship that is usually predicated on bumbling first impressions and misunderstandings. While Defending Your Life is not as good as Lost in America, it is sweet and worth checking out if you’re tired of dealing with New York anxieties and want some lighter, less serious, California angst instead.
Richard X
© Cinephile Magazine, 2006
