Albert Brooks is the closest thing we have to another Woody Allen in my book. Intelligent, humorous and constantly self effacing, Brooks delivered one of his best films with 1991's DEFENDING YOUR LIFE.
After a fatal accident in his brand new dream BMW, Daniel Miller (Brooks) finds himself in a way station afterlife, Judgement City.
Miller rides a Universal Studio Tour life tram to his middle of the road Holiday Inn type hotel. Perfectly comfortable but nothing very special, Daniel is taken to a large office complex where he will review his life and see if he's earned the right to go on to the next level, or if he has to back to Earth and try again.
From beginning to end, this is a hilarious take on how we look at our lives. Buck Henry, who had a similar role welcoming Warren Beatty to the pearly gates in "Heaven Can Wait" is drop dead funny as a legendary defender without much to say.
Rip Torn (The Larry Sanders Show) is LOL funny as Bob, Daniels main defender arguing his side in front of two judges.
Lee Grant (The Landlord) is perfect as the prosecutor trying to convince the judges that Miller is not over his fears and is not ready to move on.
Meryl Streep is terrific as Julia, another recent arrival in Judgement City who seems to be the perfect match for Miller. Too good to be true? Bad timing?
It's hilarious watching Brooks realize that he's got 9 days of trial and Julia's only got a few. When he sees her Ritz Carlton like hotel, he realizes that maybe he hasn't led his best life.
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.
_____________________________
Beautifully shot by Allen Daviau (ET, Empire of the Sun, Bugsy) and smoothly directed by Brooks himself, its a constantly smile inducing blend of observation and comedy.
The courtroom scenes in which Daniel is made to look back at his life are so perfectly played it feels like Woody's flashbacks in his best films.
Grant's grillings of Daniel are a thing of beauty.
Lena Foster: What did you finally invest in, Mr. Miller, do you remember?
Daniel Miller: [under his breath] Um, uh... cattle.
Lena Foster: And what happened to the cattle?
Daniel Miller: I don't know; I never got a straight answer. All I know is that their teeth fell out.
________________________
Beneath the laughs, there are plenty of powerful ponderings on how we live our lives to the fullest. Streep and Brooks have real chemistry and their quick romance never feels forced, thanks to Brooks flawless delivery.
I could watch Buck Henry and Rip Torn all day, there are few supporting actors in history that can deliver punchlines like these two classic actors. With Brooks screenplay in their hands, its a showcase.
Beatty and Christie's final scene in "Heaven Can Wait" is in my all time Top 5 best movie endings. While Brooks and Streep can't quite match that magic, the final moments here are pretty damn perfect and a sweet coda to a very fun ride.
DEFENDING YOUR LIFE is comic heaven for smart audiences, earning a halo topped A.
Commentaires