Albert Brooks plays Daniel Miller, a man hit by a bus. The fatal
accident lands him in Judgement City. There he is put on trial
to see if he is worthy to advance to the next level or if he
must return to earth for another incarnation. While there he
meets the wonderful Julia (Meryl Streep) who is also on trial.
Julia has lived an exemplary life while Brooks is subjected to
watching his many shortcomings.
Rip Torn does a great job as Brooks' defense lawyer Bob Diamond
and Lee Grant plays the prosecutor Lena Foster. But it is Brooks
and Streep who carry this film. Brooks is at his best as his
usual hyperchondriacish self. And, Streep is very sweet as his
love-interest.
Will Brooks get to stay with Streep? What criteria is Brooks
ultimately judged on and what can he do to gain salvation? Watch
Defending Your Life for the answers and for a spiritual journey
with a lot of laughs.
What is spiritual about this movie? I like the notion that
redemption is just around the corner if you are only willing to
take a chance at it - in the case of this movie that payoff
comes at the very end - a lesson well-learned by Brooks'
character. There is also the uncommon spiritual notion that life
doesn't have to be some solemn austere enterprise but should be
for the living. To that end, Brooks is given kudos for upgrading
his ticket on a long flight to first class.
Essentially, life is for the living, so live it - cause, hey,
like Daniel Miller, you could get hit by a bus tomorrow. Along
the way though you may want to help some folks, do some charity
work, and love others cause if you end up landing in Judgement
City watching a movie review of your life you'll want to be able
to enjoy it...
Defending Your Life makes getting hit by a bus a pleasurable
experience - provided you're not the one taking the hit.
Memorable Quotes:
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.
About the author:
Did any of your favorites Make the List of 50 Spiritual Movies?
You can find out by reading and sharing the ebook that reviews
and lists top motivational movies and has links to some very
worthy charities. Spiritual journey it to
http://www.50spiritualmovies.com for spiritual articles,
spiritual resources, and spiritual tools for growth and
enlightenment. Mystery at http://www.wealthvibes.com
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