Defending Your Life (1991)

Actors: Albert Brooks (writer), Meryl Streep (actress), Mary Pat Gleason (actress), Lee Grant (actress), Shirley MacLaine (actress), Rip Torn (actor), Buck Henry (actor), Newell Alexander (actor), Time Winters (actor), Albert Brooks (actor), George Wallace (actor), Greg Finley (actor), Ethan Embry (actor), Bill Daly (miscellaneous crew), Albert Brooks (director),

Plot: Yuppie Daniel Miller is killed in a car accident and goes to Judgment City, a waiting room for the afterlife. During the day, he must prove in a courtroom-style process that he successfully overcame his fears (a hard task, given the pitiful life we are shown); at night, he falls in love with Julia, the only other young person in town. Nights are a time of hedonistic pleasure, since you can (for instance) eat all you want without getting fat.

Keywords: afterlife, broken-leg, car-accident, chainsaw, courage, courtroom, death, defense-lawyer, directed-by-star, elevator
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy,
Taglines: The first true story of what happens after you die.

Quotes:

Bob Diamond: Being from Earth, as you are, and using as little of your brain as you do, your life has pretty much been devoted to dealing with fear.::Daniel Miller: It has?::Bob Diamond: Well everybody on Earth deals with fear - that's what little brains do.::Bob Diamond: ...Fear is like a giant fog. It sits on your brain and blocks everything - real feelings, true happiness, real joy. They can't get through that fog. But you lift it, and buddy, you're in for the ride of your life.::Daniel Miller: God... my three percent is swimming.

Bob Diamond: There was one person you were really cheap with. Over and over again. I wish you'd been more generous with him.::Daniel Miller: Who?::Bob Diamond: You.

Bob Diamond: Did we ever stop to think that this young boy had a bond with his father? I don't think it had anything to do with the friend. I just think Daniel couldn't lie to his dad. That's all.::Lena Foster: You're nodding, Mr. Miller. Does that mean you agree with Mr. Diamond?::Daniel Miller: Oh, yes. I had a bond with my father. I pretty much never lied to him.::Lena Foster: You never lied to your father? Would you like me to show you at least 500 examples?::Daniel Miller: I said "pretty much" never lied. I didn't say I never, ever lied. You have to lie sometimes... in an emergency. But, ah, it doesn't mean the bond is affected. If you've got the bond the bond is always there, and if you have to lie occasionally you're not going to interfere with the bond. You know, the bond can wait for a little lie and... in the end it's there for you. You know, sometimes in the middle of a lie I found that the bond would kick in... maybe squeeze a little truth out.::Bob Diamond: Psst, wrap it up.::Daniel Miller: I'm through.

Daniel Miller: So, you're great people to work with, this is a great present, and I wish I could squeeze you all into one pretty woman. And if you'd like to go to my office, I'll try.

[Daniel and coworker are in large Jeep]::Daniel Miller: Why do you drive this?::Jeep Owner: What?::Daniel Miller: I'm curious. I see people driving these things. What do you know that I don't? Are floods coming? Hoover Dam broke? What's going on?::Jeep Owner: I like this car.::Daniel Miller: It's not a car, it's a battering ram. This is what Patton drove: "Hey you, soldier! Follow us!"::Jeep Owner: Make fun, but in an 8.5 earthquake, you'll beg for a Jeep.::Daniel Miller: In an 8.5 earthquake, I'll beg for a coffin.

Daniel Miller: Is this Heaven?::Bob Diamond: No, it isn't Heaven.::Daniel Miller: Is it Hell?::Bob Diamond: Nope, it isn't Hell either. Actually, there is no Hell. Although I hear Los Angeles is getting pretty close.

Bob Diamond: For example, I use forty-eight percent of my brain. Do you know how much you use?::Daniel Miller: Forty... seven?::Bob Diamond: [laughs] Three.

[Lounge comedian is talking with audience members]::Comedian: How'd ya die?::Arthur: I was in a coma.::Comedian: I'm sorry. How long were you in the coma?::Arthur: I really don't know.::Comedian: Let's play a game, Art. Elvis: living or dead?::Arthur: Living.::Comedian: Long coma, Art. Long coma.

Comedian: Well, there's a nice-looking young man over there. Hi, how'd ya die?::Daniel Miller: On stage, like you.

Daniel Miller: What is this?::Julia: It's my hotel.::Daniel Miller: This is your hotel?::Julia: Yeah. Where are you staying?::Daniel Miller: Obviously at the place for people that weren't very generous and didn't adopt anybody. I'm at the Continental. Come over one day; we'll paint it.