An entertaining satirical comedy
Hollywood has often flirted with the notion of the afterlife in films as diverse as “Here Comes Mr. Jordan,” “The Sixth Sense,” “The Lovely Bones” and “Ghost.” In “Defending Your Life,” director Albert Brooks creates a kind of way station where the recently deceased stay temporarily, with all creature comforts provided, while they learn whether they can move on.<br /><br />Daniel Miller (Brooks), a successful advertising executive, picks up his birthday gift to himself — a brand new BMW — and promptly crashes into a bus and dies. He “awakens” to find himself in Judgment City, which looks a lot like Los Angeles. He and his fellow travelers are dressed in flowing white robes called tupas. Aboard a tram en route to his modest hotel, a guide speaks about the attractions of Judgment City like a tour guide at Disneyland.<br /><br />Initially dazed at discovering he is dead, Daniel soon learns that he will be on trial to determine whether he deserves to be transported to the next phase (never named though it likely is heaven) or be returned to earth in a reincarnated form. His defender will be Bob Diamond (Rip Torn) and the prosecutor Lena Foster (Lee Grant). In a courtroom before two judges,  prosecutor and defender show film clips that illustrate telling episodes in Daniel’s life. Some are funny, some painful.<br /><br />In the off-hours during his nine-day trial, Daniel becomes friends with fellow temporary resident Julia (Meryl Streep). They are close in age and most of the other guests are much older. They share a sense of humor and find it easy to talk to each other. It looks as if Julia will have little trouble moving on. For Daniel, it’s less certain.<br /><br />Brooks’ concept of the afterlife is pleasant, with no religious overtones. No winged angels, heavenly choruses, pearly gates. Judgment City looks very much like the world Daniel just left, making his transition smooth and less stressful. Everyone is accommodating, you can eat as much as you want without gaining weight, and there are entertainment options including a bowling alley and a comedy club. Accommodations appear geared to how well your life was led. Julia is lodged at a luxury hotel, while Daniel’s room looks like it could be from a roadside motel.<br /><br />This is a gentle romantic comedy/fantasy with many gags, verbal and visual, but Brooks focuses more on Daniel’s story than on punchlines. Rip Torn has a flair for understated humor, which would be shown to full advantage when he played producer Artie of “The Larry Sanders Show.” Brooks has given him lots of rich, funny dialogue, which Torn delivers matter-of-factly, making it all the more hilarious. Grant is forceful and tough as the prosecutor, never edging into shrill territory. Intelligent, confident, sharply dressed, she convinces as a formidable adversary determined not to let Daniel’s flaws be downplayed.<br /><br />“Defending Your Life” benefits from Brooks’ sharp ear for clever, funny dialogue and his ability to draw Dan and Julia as figures that the audience roots for. The chemistry between Brooks and Streep is excellent and their scenes together are highlights of a well crafted, unique movie.<br /><br />Bonus materials on the Blu-ray release include a new conversation between Albert Brooks and filmmaker Robert Weide; new interview with theologian and critic Donna Bowman; excerpts from interviews conducted in 1991 with Brooks and actors Lee Grant and Rip Torn; theatrical trailer; and a booklet containing a critical essay.<br /><br />“Defending Your Life” has great heart. The humor is present in nearly every line, some subtle and some more obvious. Brooks shows a definite insight into the little annoyances in life as he pokes fun at all kinds of situations that many of us experience. The film makes a statement about the fears and constraints in our lives and how they hold us back from being the best versions of ourselves.
The movie title "Defending Your Life (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]," available on Movies & TV, has received an average rating of 4.7 from 3463 reviewers. 
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The additional details include the following in key-value format :
 {"Genre": "Comedy", "Format": "Blu-ray, Subtitled", "Contributor": "Meryl Streep, Gary Beach, Buck Henry, Rip Torn, Michael Durrell, James Eckhouse, Albert Brooks, Shirley MacLaine, Lee Grant, Mary Pat GleasonMeryl Streep, Gary Beach, Buck Henry, Rip Torn, Michael Durrell, James Eckhouse, Albert Brooks, Shirley MacLaine, Lee Grant, Mary Pat Gleason  See more", "Language": "English", "Studio": "The Criterion Collection", "Is Discontinued By Manufacturer": "No", "MPAA rating": "PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)", "Product Dimensions": "0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 3.53 Ounces", "Item model number": "BR3235", "Director": "Albert Brooks", "Media Format": "Blu-ray, Subtitled", "Release date": "March 30, 2021", "Actors": "Albert Brooks, Meryl Streep, Rip Torn, Lee Grant, Buck Henry", "Country of Origin": "USA", "Number of discs": "1"}

Here is a brief synopsis of the title : Is there love after death? Acerbic everyman Albert Brooks finds a perfect balance between satirical bite and romantic-comedy charm as the writer, director, and star of this wonderfully warm and imaginative existential fantasy. After he dies suddenly, the hapless advertising executive Daniel Miller (Brooks) finds himself in Judgment City, a gleaming way station where the newly deceased must prove they lived a life of sufficient courage to advance in their journey through the universe. As the self-doubting Daniel struggles to make his case, a budding relationship with the uninhibited Julia (Meryl Streep) offers him a chance to finally feel alive. Buoyed by a brilliant supporting cast that includes Rip Torn, Lee Grant, and Buck Henry, Defending Your Life is a rare feat of personal, philosophical filmmaking that happens to also be divinely entertaining. DIRECTOR-APPROVED BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES • New 4K digital restoration, supervised by director Albert Brooks, with 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack • New conversation between Brooks and filmmaker Robert Weide • New interview on the afterlife with theologian and critic Donna Bowman • New program featuring excerpts from 1991 interviews with Brooks and actors Lee Grant and Rip Torn • Trailer • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing • PLUS: An essay by filmmaker Ari Aster.