History Film / DefendingYourLife

* NinetyPercentOfYourBrain: Daniel's defense attorney Bob says he uses 48% of his, while Daniel can only use 3%. The higher-ups nickname the deceased "little brains." Daniel is actually embarrassed about it, but Bob assures him it's normal for those that haven't moved on to be at such a level.

* {{Reincarnation}}: If you are flawed or still contain fears from your previous lives (or you're just [[TeensAreMonsters a teenager]]), you are sent right back.

* TeensAreMonsters: They are [[{{Reincarnation}} sent back immediately]].

* SecretTestOfCharacter: [[spoiler: All those days Daniel was going through? They were intentionally to put pressure on him to see if he would crack. He nearly did, even admitting outright he was afraid to be in a relationshipp with Julia because he felt he wouldn't be moving on with her. The actual days had almost no bearing on Daniel's judgment. Instead, proving he would risk everything to be with Julia proved he'd conquered his fears.]]

Daniel Miller (Albert Brooks) dies in a car wreck and finds himself in a very Earth-like purgatory called Judgement City. Here, he is given a defense attorney, Bob Diamond (Rip Torn), and Bob will have to [[TitleDrop defend Daniel's life]] by presenting Daniel's past in a trial over whether or not Daniel can AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence or if he should be [[{{Reincarnation}} sent back to face his fears]]. Daniel then meets [[IncorruptiblePurePureness Julia]] (Meryl Streep, [[NoNameGiven no last name given]]), who led a loving and fulfilling life, but died an untimely death. Julia and Daniel quickly hit it off, but while Daniel asserts he has no more fears and he's ready to move on to Heaven, his romance with Julia begins raising some doubts...

* XanatosGambit: It's strongly hinted that the review itself was a test for Daniel, to try to humiliate him and see if he still had the courage from all the abuse to still bravely declare his love for Julia, even though they weren't going to be going to the same place.
--> This theory is supported by the number of days Daniel is scheduled to review - Nine - which is pointed out numerous times throughout the movie. If you don't count direct rebuttal scenes, or Lena's [[{{Slapstick}} "bad decision" montage]], the trial looks at 7 days from Daniel's life on Earth (The schoolyard bully, the classmate losing his paint supplies, the Casio stock tip, the salary negotiation, the public speaking engagement, the snowmobile, and the ticket to Hong Kong.) Day 8 is the unexpected review of his final conversation in the hotel with Julia. Judgment is then rendered, and the climactic tram scene is observed, unbeknownst to Daniel, by the re-assembled participants of the trial as [[{{FridgeLogic}} Day 9]].

* {{Reincarnation}}: If you are flawed or still contain fears from your previous lives (or you're just [[TeensAreMonsters a teenager]], you are sent right back.

* NinetyPercentOfYourBrain: Daniel's defense attorney Bob says he uses 48% of his, while Daniel can only use 3%. The higher-ups nicknam the deceased "little brains."

Daniel Miller (Albert Brooks) dies in a car wreck and finds himself in a very Earth-like purgatory called Judgement City. Here, he is given a defense attorney, Bob Diamond (Rip Torn), and Bob will have to [[TitleDrop defend Daniel's life]] by presenting Daniel's past in a trial over whether or not Daniel can [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence ascend to Heaven]] or if he should be [[{{Reincarnation}} sent back to face his fears]]. Daniel then meets [[IncorruptiblePurePureness Julia]] (Meryl Streep, [[NoNameGiven no last name given]]), who led a loving and fulfilling life, but died an untimely death. Julia and Daniel quickly hit it off, but while Daniel asserts he has no more fears and he's ready to move on to Heaven, his romance with Julia begins raising some doubts...

* AfterlifeAntechamber: Judgement City, which tries so hard to be like Earth that it has suggestion boxes. If you pass Judgement, [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence you go to the real Heaven]]. If you fail, [[{{Reincarnation}} you get sent back]].

* CelestialBureaucracy: In order to get to Heaven, the deceased must win a trial over whether or not they're worthy to continue. They are given a defense lawyer, face off against prosecutors, and are judged by what look like average court judges. There are two exceptions: children and teenagers. Children [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence automatically go on]] for [[ChildrenAreInnocent being innocent]], while teens [[TeensAreMonsters are too much trouble to keep around]] and get [[{{Reincarnation}} sent right back]].

* RaceForYourLove: In the film's climax, [[spoiler:Daniel and Julia are put on busses: Daniel's bus is going to back to Earth while Julia's is going to Heaven. When Julia calls out for Daniel, he finally [[CharacterDevelopment faces his fear]], escapes the bus, and catches up to her while the bus is in motion, only to find the door is locked. The judges find it so moving they [[EarnYourHappyEnding let him on with her]].]]

* StarCrossedLovers: The kindhearted, loving Julia (who will most likely go to Heaven) and the fearful, neurotic Daniel (who will most likely go back to Earth).

->'''Bob Diamond''': Nope, it isn't Hell either. Actually, there is no Hell. Although I hear UsefulNotes/LosAngeles is getting pretty close.

--> This theory is supported by the number of days Daniel is scheduled to review - Nine - which is pointed out numerous times throughout the movie. If you don't count direct rebuttal scenes, or Lena's [[{{Slapstick}} "bad decision" montage]], the trial looks at 7 days from Daniel's life on Earth (The schoolyard bully, the classmate losing his paint supplies, the Casio stock tip, the salary negotiation, the public speaking engagement, the snowmobile, and the ticket to Hong Kong.) Day 8 is the unexpected review of his final conversation in the hotel with Julia. Judgment is then rendered, and the climactic tram scene is observed, unbeknownst to Daniel, by the re-assembled participants of the trial as [[{{FridgeLogic}} Day 9]].

A 1991 fantasy RomanticComedy [[DirectedByCastMember written/directed by/starring]] Creator/AlbertBrooks and co-starring Creator/MerylStreep.

->'''Bob Diamond''': Nope, it isn't Hell either. Actually, there is no Hell. Although I hear Los Angeles is getting pretty close.

A 1991 fantasy RomanticComedy [[DirectedByCastMember written/directed by/starring]] AlbertBrooks and co-starring MerylStreep.

--> This theory is supported by the number of days Daniel is scheduled to review - Nine - which is pointed out numerous times throughout the movie. If you don't count direct rebuttal scenes, or Lena's [[{{Slapstick}} "bad decision" montage]], the trial looks at 7 days from Daniel's life on Earth (The schoolyard bully, the classmate losing his paint supplies, the Casio stock tip, the salary negotiation, the public speaking engagement, the snowmobile, and the ticket to Hong Kong.) Day 8 is the unexpected review of his final conversation in the hotel with Julia. Judgment is then rendered, and the climactic tram scene is observed, unbeknownst to Daniel, by the re-assembled participants of the trial as [[{{FridgeLogic}}Day 9]].

--> This theory is supported by the number of days Daniel is scheduled to review (nine). If you don't count direct rebuttal scenes, or Lena's [[{{Slapstick}} "bad decision" montage]], the trial looks at 7 days from Daniel's life on Earth (The schoolyard bully, the classmate losing his paint supplies, the Casio stock tip, the salary negotiation, the public speaking engagement, the snowmobile, and the ticket to Hong Kong.) Day 8 is the unexpected review of his final conversation in the hotel with Julia. Judgment is then rendered, and the climactic tram scene is observed, unbeknownst to Daniel, by the re-assembled participants of the trial as Day 9.

--> This theory is supported by the number of days Daniel is scheduled to review (nine). If you don't count direct rebuttal scenes, or Lena's [[{{Slapstick}} "bad decision" montage]], the trial looks at 7 days from Daniel's life on Earth. Day 8 is the unexpected review of his final conversation in the hotel with Julia. Judgment is then rendered, and the climactic tram scene is observed, unbeknownst to Daniel, by the re-assembled participants of the trial as Day 9.

--> This theory is supported by the number of days Daniel is scheduled to review (nine). If you don't count direct rebuttal scenes, or Lena's [[Slapstick "bad decision" montage]], the trial looks at 7 days from Daniel's life on Earth. Day 8 is the unexpected review of his final conversation in the hotel with Julia. Judgment is then rendered, and the climactic tram scene is observed, unbeknownst to Daniel, by the re-assembled participants of the trial as Day 9.

--> This theory is supported by the number of days Daniel is scheduled to review (nine). If you don't count direct rebuttal scenes, or Lena's [[Slapstick"bad decision" montage]] ]], the trial looks at 7 days from Daniel's life on Earth. Day 8 is the unexpected review of his final conversation in the hotel with Julia. Judgment is then rendered, and the climactic tram scene is observed, unbeknownst to Daniel, by the re-assembled participants of the trial as Day 9.

--> This theory is supported by the number of days Daniel is scheduled to review (nine). If you don't count direct rebuttal scenes, or Lena's [[Slapstick"bad decision" montage]], the trial looks at 7 days from Daniel's life on Earth. Day 8 is the unexpected review of his final conversation in the hotel with Julia. Judgment is then rendered, and the climactic tram scene is observed, unbeknownst to Daniel, by the re-assembled participants of the trial as Day 9.

* XanatosGambit: It's strongly hinted that the review itself was a test for Daniel, to try to humiliate him and see if he still had the courage from all the abuse to still bravely declare his love for Julia, even though they weren't going to be going to the same place.

* UndignifiedDeath: Julia's death: [[spoiler:she tripped into her pool]].

Daniel Miller (Albert Brooks) dies in a car wreck and finds himself in a very Earth-like purgatory called Judgement City. Here, he is given a defense attorney, Bob Diamond (Rip Torn), and Bob will have to [[TitleDrop defend Daniel's life]] by presenting Daniel's past in a legal battle over whether or not Daniel can [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence ascend to Heaven]] or if he should be [[{{Reincarnation}} sent back to face his fears]]. Daniel then meets [[IncorruptiblePurePureness Julia]] (Meryl Streep, [[NoNameGiven no last name given]]), who led a loving and fulfilling life, but died an untimely death. Julia and Daniel quickly hit it off, but while Daniel asserts he has no more fears and he's ready to move on to Heaven, his romance with Julia begins raising some doubts...

* AfterlifeAntechamber: Judgement City, which tries so hard to be like Earth that it has suggestion boxes. If you pass Judgement, [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence you go to the real Heave]]. If you fail, [[{{Reincarnation}} you get sent back]].

* CelestialBureaucracy: In order to get to Heaven, the deceased must win a legal battle over whether or not they're worthy to continue. They are given a defense lawyer, face off against prosecutors, and are judged by what look like average court judges. There are two exceptions: children and teenagers. Children [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence automatically go on]] for [[ChildrenAreInnocent being innocent]], while teens [[TeensAreMonsters are too much trouble to keep around]] and get [[{{Reincarnation}} sent right back]].

* DyingAlone: [[spoiler:Julia, when she did die: all of her friends went out of town and she stayed back to go swimming. Then she tripped over a lounge chair and into the pool.]]

Daniel Miller (Albert Brooks) dies in a fatal car wreck and finds himself in a very Earth-like purgatory called Judgement City. Here, he is given a defense attorney, Bob Diamond (Rip Torn), and Bob will have to [[TitleDrop defend Daniel's life]] by presenting Daniel's past in a legal battle over whether or not Daniel can [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence ascend to Heaven]] or if he should be [[{{Reincarnation}} sent back to face his fears]]. Daniel then meets [[IncorruptiblePurePureness Julia]] (Meryl Streep, [[NoNameGiven no last name given]]), who led a loving and fulfilling life, but died an untimely death. Julia and Daniel quickly hit it off, but while Daniel asserts he has no more fears and he's ready to move on to Heaven, his romance with Julia begins raising some doubts...