Dir/scr: Albert Brooks.2005. US. 98mins.
The title LookingFor Comedy In The Muslim World is perhaps the bravest part of AlbertBrooks' new film, in which he plays himself, travelling to India and Pakistanon behalf of the US government to research what makes Hindus and Muslims laugh.
Also brave was Brooks'decision for his feature to have its public world premiere at the DubaiInternational Film Festival, where he sat down to watch it beside one of thelocal Muslim sheikhs.
The title's use of the word"Muslim" has sparked a much publicised difference of opinion with original USdistributor Sony Pictures, leading to the feature ending up at WarnerIndependent Pictures for its domestic release.
But the title is somethingof a misnomer. Instead of finding comedy in India - he largely bottles out ofthe Pakistan part - Brooks brings his own schtick tothe Subcontinent in a film which starts out strongly but, like its leadcharacter, loses all sense of direction somewhere around the Taj Mahal.
Audiences are not going toleave the cinema any clearer on what makes Muslims laugh - most of the film isset in the Hindu world - and it can sometimes come off as patronising.
But Brooks has clearly madethis film with the best of intentions and the idea of opening up a dialogue -and for that he deserves to be commended.
Even though they don't allwork, this is an equal-opportunity gag fest, with Brooks also making a joke ofhis own Jewishness, not to mention the standardmother-in-law patter ("your mother thinks a Muslim is a fabric"). But whetheraudiences will vote for his intentions with their feet is another matter.
Comedyplayed well to its premiere in Dubai, although strong laughter in the beginninggradually tapered off, a reaction that is likely to be repeated wherever thefilm is released.
This may not satisfy thePC-contingent, however, while regular comedy audiences are likely to hanker fora more traditional humour framework. A lack of big names in the supporting castshould also ensure a small US release delivering mid to low returns.
A lot depends on the levelof interest drummed up - and this will be WIP'schallenge domestically. Arclight is handlinginternational sales.
The film begins with Brooksattending a dismal audition for a part in the new Penny Marshall film. Returning home dejected, he receives a letter from theUS State Department asking him to be a part of a new project to deflate worldtensions through comedy.
Despatched to New Delhi andPakistan with two State Department handlers, he hires a local assistant (Sheth) and goes about his task. When asking the locals whatthey find funny does not yield much in the way of results, he resorts tostaging a hilariously unsuccessful stand-up night, which proves the feature'shigh point.
Thereafter,
Low-key and breezily funnyat the outset, Looking For Comedyseems, by the end, awkward and almost improvised as the film-maker runs out ofideas and wraps it up on the hoof. Even at 98 minutes it begins to feel a long,if worthy, attempt.
This is largely aone-man-show, and Brooks is his typically neurotic self, although the charminglyluminous Sheth is a stand-out as his eternallyoptimistic Indian helper.
Production credits arestandard at best.
Production company
Shangri-La Entertainment
US distribution
Warner Independent Pictures
International sales
Arclight
Executive producer
Joann Perritano
Producer
Herbert Nanas
Cinematography
Thomas Ackerman
Production design
Stephen Altman
Editor
Anita Brandt Burgoyne
Music
Michael Giacchino
Main cast
Albert Brooks
Sheetal Sheth
Jon Tenney
John Carroll Lynch
Amy Ryan
John Dalton Thompson
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