Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (2005) Review

Don't be fooled by the title. There's very little comedy here, and the Muslim world in question is on the wrong continent.

From Mother to oh, brother © Warner Independent

More than anything, Albert Brooks looks tired in his latest film. He trudges into the opening audition scene with a cameoing Penny Marshall, a sequence by the way that very obviously belongs in another movie, and comes across with about a tenth of the energy of this season's other and much older Brooks, Mel. Rightfully, Marshall turns to her casting director after the meeting and wonders why she even bothered.

At age 58, Brooks' best years may indeed be in the rear view mirror, which quite frankly is nothing to be ashamed of, because there have been some very great times. His character of Aaron Altman in Broadcast News is part of the James L. Brooks Hall of Fame; Defending Your Life remains underrated; Mother is the apogee of his filmmaking craft. And, of course, there's that little animated film by the name of Finding Nemo.

Still, there's something slightly sad about watching Brooks, in his first artistic endeavor following the death of Johnny Carson, flopping around in a poorly executed vehicle with none of the verve of those old Tonight Show appearances. He's gone from the hot potato imitation of Burt Lancaster, to the potato salad of Looking for Comedy.

Note: The second page of this review was not preserved in web archives.