The unexamined life may not be worth living, according to Socrates, but examining the life already lived is pretty darned painful for Greek and geek alike.
Evidence the troubled expression Albert Brooks wears for much of his screen time in “Defending Your Life.” Brooks crashes his beloved new BMW near the beginning of this quiet, beguiling film, and his spirit is sent to a waiting station that only a neurotic like Brooks could have dreamed up.
Human spirits arrive in Judgment City, a purgatory that is a full employment system for lawyers. Each new dead person gets a prosecutor and a defense attorney. Scenes from the client’s life are played on a movie screen before judges, and a sentence is rendered.
It’s not a heaven or hell sentence though. “Defending Your Life” is more about reincarnation married with re-education. The spirit goes back to Earth — a favorable judgment means you get a newer, more interesting and fulfilling life. A bad judgment means you have to try harder to be a better person.
Nearly two hours of Brooks being a worrywart would be hard to take without the delightful presence of Meryl Streep. She is also on trial, but her life is gold — she literally saves kittens from burning buildings. The only question is whether Brooks can be sentenced to a do-over on a version of Earth where he can keep dating the angelic Streep. The mood is sweet and reflective, and both Brooks and Streep are terrifically likable.
It’s not a fast-paced romance, but it’s also not a crude or vulgar film. “Defending Your Life” will make for some interesting conversations with your tweens and teenagers about what constitutes a life worth living.
“Defending Your Life”
Rated: PG, for some mildly mature content, including a discussion of whether Brooks and Streep should sleep together.
Best suited for: Families who enjoy romantic comedy and the same kind of self-reflective worrying that Brooks brought to his voice lead in “Finding Nemo.”
