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Albert Brooks,
Sheetal Sheth,
Sheetal Sheth,
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Albert Brooks,
Albert Brooks
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: Warner Home Video
: Comedies, Political Satire
: 98 min.
: English
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Comic and filmmaker Albert Brooks serves his country while struggling to get some laughs in this offbeat satiric comedy. Brooks plays himself, a comedic filmmaker whose most recent success was providing the voice of a fish for an animated feature and who has just been passed by as director for a remake of Harvey. As Brooks wonders what's going to happen next with his career, his wife (Amy Ryan), and his daughter, he's approached by government representatives who want him for a special assignment. The State Department, eager to better understand the cultural gap between the United States and the Middle East, have been directed by the president to make a study of what makes Muslims laugh. Brooks is asked to fly to India and Pakistan and bring back a 500-page report on Muslim humor; told the Medal of Freedom may be his if he comes through, Brooks accepts. With a pair of State Department officials in tow, Stuart (John Carroll Lynch) and Mark (Jon Tenney), and some help from a local assistant, Maya (Sheetal Sheth), Brooks sets out to find the funny bone of India's and Pakistan's Muslim communities, though it doesn't take long to find out what they don't find funny -- his standup act. Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World was originally set for release in the United States by Sony Pictures Classics, but when they became nervous over the film's title, they dropped the project and it was picked up for distribution by Warner Independent Pictures. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
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| Nice Try
by randomcha
October 20, 2007 - 1:02 PM PDT
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1 out of 2 members found this review helpful
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| This movie almost adds up to something ... but it doesn't. I'm a big fan of Brooks so perhaps I cut it a little more slack: there are some good jokes here and then and an amiable spirit. But the script feels undernourished. I wonder why Brooks didn't work on this with his usual writing partner Monica Johnson. Ah, who knows. I still say it's worth a look if you're in a silly mood. |
| Still looking for comedy
by Sujata
October 28, 2006 - 11:13 AM PDT
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2 out of 2 members found this review helpful
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Maybe I'll find it in the sequel. I hear they're planning to call it "Looking for comedy in "Looking for comedy in the Muslim world"".
Actually, I take that back. There are a few chuckles here, but they're delivered at a glacial pace. Oh, had we but world enough, and time... we could sit and chuckle with this movie and grow gently old. As it is, I would recommend just giving it a wide berth.
Notes to future seekers of Islamic comedy:
- When looking for comedy in the Muslim world, may I suggest starting with the Muslim world? This movie is shot in India, and the funniest character is Sikh. Go figure!
- What's worse than sitting through a squirming bomb of an improv comedy show? Sitting through a squirming bomb of an improv comedy show filmed as the centerpiece of a squirming bomb of a movie.
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| Brooks Looks, We Laugh
by talltale
August 31, 2006 - 8:38 PM PDT
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2 out of 4 members found this review helpful
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What would happen if you crossed Voltaire's Candide with Woody Allen? You might get Albert Brooks. Mr. Brooks may be an acquired taste, or maybe you love him or hate him first time out. Whatever: LOOKING FOR COMEDY IN THE MUSLIM WORLD will be, for those who have followed this gifted--but strange and uncertain--comic's career path, an eye-opener. Albert is growing old--crotchety in new ways but less so in the old ones. Consequently, this very strange but funny and appealing movie, which was generally thrashed by critics and ignored by audiences, may find a surprised and won-over audience on DVD.
Brooks plays an aging comedian who is asked by the American government to go to "Muslim" countries--India(?) and Pakistan--to learn what makes their populaces laugh. He discovers in the process (as will the audience) some interesting things about comedy, culture, and himself (though self-knowledge does come very hard and slow for this guy). There are so many subtle, funny moments here that intelligent viewers of a certain age should have no trouble putting up with the stately pacing and occasional misfires because the bulls-eye are plenty good. Brooks is particularly clever observing the unintended consequences of our actions, of which there are plenty--comedic and political. |
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 3.60)
20 Votes
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