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Summary

Is there love after death? After he dies suddenly, the hapless advertising executive Daniel Miller 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 offers him a chance to finally feel alive.

Cast

Albert Brooks

Daniel Miller

Meryl Streep

Julia

Rip Torn

Bob Diamond

Lee Grant

Lena Foster

Michael Durrell

Agency Head

James Eckhouse

Jeep Owner

Gary Beach

Car Salesman

Julie Cobb

Tram Guide

Peter Schuck

Stan

Time Winters

Porter

Sharlie Stuart

Susan

Beth Black

Soap Opera Woman

Clayton Norcross

Soap Opera Man

Jim McKrell

Game Show Moderator

Wil Albert

Game Show Contestant

Sage Allen

Game Show Contestant

Mary Pat Gleason

Waitress

Maxine Elliott Hicks

Elderly Woman on Tram

Marilyn Rockafellow

Helen

Roger Behr

Comedian

Art Frankel

Arthur

Ernie Brown

Ernie

George D. Wallace

Daniel's Judge

Lillian Lehman

Daniel's Judge

Raffi Di Blasio

Daniel as a Boy

Kristopher Kent Hill

Bully

Eric Ehasz

Child in Schoolyard

Matthew Scharch

Daniel as an Infant

S. Scott Bullock

Daniel's Father

Carol Bivins

Daniel's Mother

Ethan Embry

Steve

Gary Ballard

Mr. Wadworth

Mary Mukogawa

Sushi Hostess

Toshio Shikami

Head Sushi Chef

Samee Park

Sushi Chef

Kagko Shikami

Sushi Chef

Tommy Inouye

Sushi Chef

Ken Thorley

Frank

Bob Braun

Talk Show Host

Jennifer Barlow Grodsky

Talk Show Guest

Buck Henry

Dick Stanley

Joey Miyashima

Casio Tipster

Nurit Koppel

Daniel's Date

Susan Walters

Daniel's Wife

Sidney Chankin

Used Car Salesman

Greg Finley

Used Car Salesman

Leonard O. Turner

Sam

Clifford Einstein

Julia's Prosecutor

Rachel Bard

Julia's Judge

Newell Alexander

Julia's Judge

Shirley MacLaine

Hal Landon Jr.

Man in Past Lives Pavilion

Ida Lee

Woman in Past Lives Pavilion

Noley Thornton

Victorian Girl

Glen Chin

Sumo Wrestler

James Ekim

Native

Clarke Coleman

Knight

Ronald L. Colby

Majestic Doorman

David Purdham

Peter

James Paradise

Stage Manager

Jerry Prell

Banquet Manager

Arell Blanton

Fire Marshall

Shana Ballard

Julia's Daughter

Chris Macris

Julia's Son

Joseph Darrell

Maitre d'

James Manis

Eduardo

Alex Sheafe

Martin

Cathleen Chin

Ticket Counter Agent

Lisa Sears

Tram Port Attendant

Mark Dunlap

Tram Port Attendant

Vernon Roguen

Tram Port Attendant

Dennis Germain

Tram Driver

Jorga Caye

Deceased Lady (uncredited)

Robert Gatewood

Afterlife Traveler (uncredited)

John Michael Quinn

Man in Heaven (uncredited)

Douglas M. Nelson

Tram Attendee (uncredited)

Crew

Director, Screenplay

Albert Brooks

Reviews

GenerationofSwine

January 12, 2023

I remember when I was 12 or so, I woke up incredibly early (thank you Chicago Tribune TV Guide for helping me with missions like that) and went into the basement to record this off HBO. Then, shortly after I hit record I fell asleep on the couch and had the strangest freaking dream of my childhood because of the title of this film.

Had nothing to do with the movie, I just remember it to this day so I'm rambling about it.

Really though, it has a message, there is a moral to the story, but you aren't watching it for that. And when I was 11 or 12 I didn't record it for that. No, you're watching it because Albert Brooks is pretty funny and the film seems quirky and light hearted.

And, honestly, it delivers. It's one of those increasingly rare films that announces what kind of movie that it is, makes promises for a happy ending, and delivers on it. There aren't really any surprises, you assume how the movie is going to end before you even sit down to watch it, and you're only really watching it in the first place because you feel the need to see that kind of story.

And it delivers. It's fun in a quirky, dry, and understated way. It brings you into a fun little world, and it hits all the marks it promised to in the trailer, comedy, romance, happy ending.

Everything else is just icing.