*You’re reading Be Kind, Rewind. Where we review movies from the 60s to 90s weekly. If there is a movie you would like us to review, you can send a letter to the editor under the “More” section of the site.

“Defending Your Life,” released in 1991, starring Albert Brooks as Daniel Miller, details the life of a snotty man attempting to get into heaven and the girl of his dreams, all through an angelic court case. Directed by Brooks himself, the film co-stars Meryl Streep (Julia), who to never age no matter what film of hers you watch, is befitting a character whose screen time largely takes place after death. 

In fact, most of the film takes place once the narcissistic businessman Miller dies in a car accident and ascends to a place where he is evaluated through his life choices to see if he deserves to move on to the next plane of existence or be reincarnated to try again. While an interesting concept, the story does not nearly move forward quickly enough. Especially with a large majority of the story taking place in small gray rooms, where judges decide if Miller is worthy or not.

Sadly, the concept really doesn’t matter because Brooks was not worthy of playing his role in the film. His constant nonchalant reactions to both dying and meeting the love of his life are incredibly disappointing for the film’s plot, making watching an already flimsy film feel like being dragged through mud. 

To help, Streep tries her best to lighten any moment she can. The only problem is she has absolutely no story arc. Surprisingly, the deuteragonist doesn’t change once, from start to finish, going as far as to be perceived as perfect her whole life whilst being judged. Worsening the plot past salvation, and placing Streep’s character as simply a plot point for Miller.

While just about everything important feels bland and neutral about “Defending Your Life,” it does deserve a bumped-up grade for attempting an interesting concept, although that doesn’t save it from feeling the same as the disappointment felt when finishing a bag of candy too quickly. I feel inclined to give the film a zero, but because it was so mundane it seems more fitting to give “Defending Your Life” a 2.0📼 out of 5.0📼 and suggest this to anybody who lives like a boring NPC with no personality.