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Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World

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Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World

PG-13

Released Jan 20, 2006

1h 39m

Comedy

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44%

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108 Reviews

27%

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10,000+ Ratings

The United States government sends comic Albert Brooks and two handlers from the State Department to India and Pakistan on a mission to discover what makes the 300 million Muslim residents of those regions laugh. The three travel from New Delhi to the Taj Mahal, and even to a secret mountain location in Pakistan.

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Critics Consensus

Although the premise seems ripe for laughs, Albert Brooks isn't ruthless or clever enough to pull it off.

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Nathan Rabin

AV Club

Looking for Comedy succeeds smashingly both as a comedy and as a savvy deconstruction of comedy.

Rated: A-

Nov 27, 2006

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Stephanie Zacharek

Salon.com

The movie has a perversely unifying effect: Muslims, Christians and Jews may not be able to agree on exactly who the heck Jesus is, but they're fully capable of bonding in boredom.

Oct 7, 2006

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Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

I think this thing is just flat and dead.

Feb 11, 2006

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Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

Has some quality elements, including a standout sequence where Brooks performs a show in New Delhi that is completely tanking.

Rated: 5.5/10

Mar 25, 2024

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Albert Brooks chooses to create a patient, intelligent, and gentle comedy.

Rated: 3.0/4.0

Sep 14, 2020

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Paul Chambers

CNNRadio

Finally seeing this film so many years after I was told it was awful, I can't agree with the people who told me that. Perhaps I love Brooks' self-deprecating humor too much. Paul Chambers, CNN.

Rated: C+

Mar 12, 2010

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dave s

To better understand the Muslim world, Albert Brooks (playing himself) agrees to participate in a government program to determine what makes the Muslim world laugh, traveling to Pakistan and India to carry out his research. Those who enjoy the dry and droll humor of Brooks will love the sly humor of Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World. Those who don't appreciate his humor will probably hate the movie, as evidenced by the primarily negative reviews. It's as simple as that. Based on the title alone, one would expect something a little more outlandish with substantially more cutting satire, but it seems to accomplish what Brooks was probably shooting for – a pleasant diversion filled with subtle humor instead of a barrage of belly laughs.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Seriously funny (and original) Albert Brooks comedy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

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Audience Member

While I am a fan of Albert Brooks and he is clearly from the same school as Larry David, I believe Larry David could have done this concept better.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

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Audience Member

Failed to find any comedy in this film.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

If you love Albert Brooks....

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

While I am a fan of Albert Brooks and he is clearly from the same school as Larry David, I believe Larry David could have done this concept better.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

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Synopsis

The United States government sends comic Albert Brooks and two handlers from the State Department to India and Pakistan on a mission to discover what makes the 300 million Muslim residents of those regions laugh. The three travel from New Delhi to the Taj Mahal, and even to a secret mountain location in Pakistan.

Director: Albert Brooks
Producer: Herb Nanas
Screenwriter: Albert Brooks
Distributor: Warner Independent
Production Co: Shangri-La Entertainment, Seventh Picture Productions LLC
Rating: PG-13 (Drug Content|Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 20, 2006, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $887.4K
Runtime: 1h 39m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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