Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (2006)

Albert Brooks in his skin. and nice script. irony, politic comedy, innocence of a comedian front the reality of close worlds. result, an isle, out of trend, interesting, sarcastic, strange. and useful lesson about humor in a cold, hypocrite universe. it is exactly that kind of exercise to understand the other far from classic definitions. because, like Gulliver travels, it is only picture of Western society in which humor is almost convention. sure, the large parts of salt, the simple ingredients, the role of seed for reflection about yourself no makes it comfortable, but not is the purpose. the desire can be to reflect deep confusion of values, need of talk with the other who is only mirror for yourself.

Other reviewers have got it wrong. This isn't dry intellectual humor that'll have you laughing hours later after you think about the line. This is vapid and uninspired humor that was horribly executed and horribly shot.The camera angles are uninspired, the music is canned, the acting and overall film are simply poorly directed. Lots of master shots, few if any cutaways. There is absolutely nothing here to accentuate the humor in the film. It's bland as can be.The one scene that had some humor in it was left on the cutting room floor, and the other comedic sequence cast some aspirations on international rivals.The real crux of the matter is that the film presupposes that somehow humor is not universal. It also demonstrates a kind of intellectual high-brow naiveté about the middle east. Ironically enough the film was allegedly aimed at a western audience and trying to bridge social divides, but falls miserably flat on its face through lack of zest.The other aspect is that this is, more likely, a test market film that needed to recoup its losses. It was shot with a minimal budget, and had production values to match. What was being tested here (the director? the viability of shooting a low budget film in India?) I have no idea, but it's market appeal has all the earmarks of a film that is ready to have its return and market analysis fast tracked to the studio heads and marketing department.Why on earth there would be more than 100 reviews for this film is beyond me. What's even more puzzling is why there would be praises heaped onto this thing when it was intentionally half baked.Did I mention the ending? Well, I can't, but it's not funny, just like the rest of the film.

The thing I like about Albert Brooks is that he's funny, but he doesn't seem like he's trying to be. He has been in the comedy business (both film and TV) for nearly 40 years, but he's so down to earth that he could easily be my next door neighbor. He's also very smart, and the films he directs and stars in appeal mostly to those who know him.I'm a fan of Brooks', and I especially liked his films "Lost In America" and "Defending Your Life". I didn't like "The Muse" as much, but I was relieved when I saw this movie because I now know Brooks hasn't lost his touch. He may not bring in crowds the way Adam Sandler or Mike Myers does, but he's true to himself and that's awesome. Brooks is in the same class as Woody Allen or Bob Newhart."Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World" wasn't quite the movie I thought it would be. For one, I didn't expect Brooks to play himself, and I also didn't expect him to spoof both Washington and Hollywood simultaneously. He did it, and he did it brilliantly.His supporting cast was also very good. There were great cameos by the likes of Penny Marshall (in a very funny first scene) and Fred D. Thompson (before his ill-fated Presidential run). I also didn't expect to see future Oscar nominee Amy Ryan (from "Gone Baby Gone") as Brooks' wife.But among the supporting performers who shined above the rest was Sheetal Sheth, who played Brooks' appointed assistant Maya. Sheth was not only adorable, but also incredibly believable. Her comic timing was perfect, her character's sincerity was believable, and she played an young Indian woman so well. It was only through a search on IMDb that I found out she is actually American-born (she's from New Jersey). That's only a testament to how great she is in this movie. Anyone who watches this movie, including those who don't quite get Brooks, will absolutely fall in love with her. I truly hope to see her in other things.The plot itself is original, and just when you think you know where the movie is going, it takes a direct opposite turn in another direction. That's why some people may not like the movie. I thought the ending was a bit peculiar, but it still maintained its humorous tone throughout, and it made for a very interesting movie.I reiterate when I say that you either love this movie, or you hate it. From watching it, I think Brooks still has what it takes. After watching "The Muse", I was a little worried, but Brooks is still a genius in my book.

What a wasted opportunity!! Dreadful, a gag free 90 minutes that never raises a smile. Albert Brooks wastes everyones time with being 'intentionally unfunny' with poor material performing to blank faces and disapproval. There's nothing of any depth here. On paper it must have looked lazy, vacuous and empty, devoid of any substance so why bother to make it? Giving him a project after Finding Nemo seems to be the only reason this was made. DREADFUL. An unfunny attempt at comedy, what's more unappealing than that. Given the potential of the situation, this could have been revolutionary, instead it's as funny as listening to a spoiled rich westerner complaining about flying economy. Low I.Q.Crap.