The music is PERFECT. It doesn't sound like a huge Hollywood orchestra. It fits the personal story of the character. Too bad Michale Gore is gone. I hope he had a good life. His music lives on, as does this film. I have seen is so many times, I can't count.
I must have confused him with his sister, Leslie Gore, who passed away in 2015. I apologize. I'm glad to hear the Michael Gore is still bringing us great music. Thank you for correcting my mistake.
I love this score, i haven't seen this movie for over 30 years but elements from this score still pop up in my mind all the time, especially the leitmotif
@@TheMightyYiffer I just watched it again for about the dozenth time. It is Albert Brook's greatest film and from start to finish it is clever, savvy, FUNNY AND realistic! Kudos to Meryl Streep, Rip Torn, and Lee Grant for Oscar worthy performances. If the ending does not leave you in a great big puddle of tears, well...we may have to throw you away. ☺☺ One of the great and thoughtful films of all time!
The music in this film fully captures the tone and struggle of Daniel in such a harmonious manner you can not help but cry. The older I get, the more meaningful this movie becomes.
This is a perfect example of the music fitting perfectly with the film! Each 'theme' enhances the visual action on screen. When I rented the movie at Blockbusters (remember them? lol) the salesperson said "We can't keep this movie in stock, no matter how many copies we order." I asked him why and he said, "Every time someone loses their mother or father they rent this film." He also said that no film in the store is rented out so many times by the same people. They keep renting it over and over again." The funny thing is that I became one of the people he was talking about! I rented this move about five times over a two year period. I just couldn't stop watching it. The strange thing is that I'm an atheist and don't believe in an afterlife. But I love to imagine a universe in which there is one. If there was an afterlife, this is the kind of thing I would hope it would be. To me, this movie is Albert Brooks' long lasting masterpiece. And he chose the right person to do the score.
I am also an atheist. It is nice to watch fantasy, even though we know it isn't reality. Fantasy is a fantastic thing, you can use your wildest imagination with it. It is nice to imagine a universe contained in fantasy, although it is not reality. Some people believe this fantasy is reality, which is ok, but it spoils the truth. I loved this movie because it is an interesting outlook on an afterlife with an interesting story. Even though I know it isn't reality, I can still enjoy it because I can still imagine it as if it was. Doesn't mean I now believe it is.
@@TheSnapback Agreed. I think I can tell fantasy from reality, which is why I can enjoy a movie like this. btw, the same 'fantasy vs reality' idea extends to sexual thoughts. I can enjoy thinking about things that I would not do IRL. Thank goodness there's no thought crime - yet lol.
@@2011littleguy But sadly the inability to separate fantasy from reality is a common flaw in our society. The Church steals so much money from people everyday, just because they can take advantage of their beliefs. Of course I respect people's beliefs, but what I don't respect are the people fueling them with the wrong ideas. Humans are intelligent, but emotion can takeover intelligence any time. Imagine the thought that there is always this best friend you can tell anything to, no matter where you are. Imagine this friend gives you a sense of belonging and that you will be alright, no matter what happens. Imagine that same friend will put you in his magical paradise when you pass away, allowing you to reunite with all of your loved ones. It all sounds great, and some people need that thought to survive. However, I accept reality as what it is, even with how cruel it might seem. I am not alone though, I have friends and family that make me laugh and smile. I have a good home and can live comfortably. I am still able to find good in the world without having to create my own fantasy. That's the hard part for most people, they just can't accept the hard truth of reality. But I can't blame them.
@@TheSnapback I am not quite an atheist ( my fears are holding me back😊😊) but I do consider myself a Deist. But this movie is not about God or Heaven. It is about man and the test of real life and moving forward (in this life...or the fantastic story of perhaps another life). It is allegory for finding the strength required to live for THIS LIFE. Moving forward in the one life we have. It is so great on so many levels. It is Albert Brooks finest work!
I’ve been a musician for 25 years and I’ve put some music to videos in my attempt to do scores but I wouldn’t even know where to begin with something like this… It’s a masterpiece!!!
I only first saw this film a few years ago. I love it so much I re-watch it every so often (like, right now 😉), and the music's terrific...'filmic', I'd that makes sense. Albert Brooks (Missy people don't know what his real name is. Albert Einstein. Totally true) is one of the funniest people who've new films, and Meryl looks like she was having a blast.
Another perfectly beautiful cinema score by Michael Gore (brother of Leslie Gore) is 'The Butcher's Wife'. Both score were orchestrated and conducted by Shirley Walker.
I thought it was Shirley Walker; at least the jaunty post crash/end bus departures based on Wellville and Pinocchio. She always has that little oompah pah quality to her rhythms.
I only recently discovered how poorly Defending Your Life did at the box office. That said, after 30 years, it is still one of my favorites! It's a great concept and story telling. The weakness seemed to be in the relationship between Daniel and Julia...and it was Daniel that didn't sell the relationship. But, even with that weakness, it's still a fun movie with characters you care about. The musical score ties it all together too! If Judgement City were real, put me on the next tram! I'm ready to advance to the next level. 😅
Great score perfect for the film it was written for the other close comparision I would make is the score for Tootsie by Dave Grusin another one so well suited to the film.
@@j.farmer8345 they played it so many times on Showtime back in the early 90's. I watched them repeatedly as well. I practiced whistling the tune and drove my little brother nuts.
Is this movie from Paramount? I went to Kings Island every year when Paramount owned it. They played songs on a loop. I know it was this song. It was stuck in my head every year. Finally I searched and found the movie.
I'd say that soundtrack goes WITH the film and it is very beautiful!! I know sometimes you'll hear later movies using earlier soundtracks, and I hope this one remains explicit to "Defending your life!' I am proud to have this movie in my collection and I watch it over and. over again to this day!! Even though Heaven isn't anywhere NEAR like that, it is a wonderful fantasy. movie isn't it?
