Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World

Infobox_Film
name= Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World


caption = Promotional poster
director =Albert Brooks
writer =Albert Brooks
starring =Albert Brooks
Sheetal Sheth
Jon Tenney
John Carroll Lynch
Fred Thompson
producer =Steve Bing
distributor=Warner Independent Pictures
budget =$10,000,000
released=January 20, 2006
runtime =98 minutes
language =English
imdb_id =0433116|

"Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World" is a 2006 film starring and directed by Albert Brooks. It was shown at the Dubai International Film Festival.

ynopsis

The plot follows Albert Brooks, a Jewish-American comedian, sent by the United States government into India and Pakistan to find out "what makes Muslims laugh." References are made to Brooks' earlier films, including "Finding Nemo", "Lost In America" and "Defending Your Life" along with his earlier stand-up comedy material.

Upon reaching India, Brooks begins interviewing Indians and gathering material for the 500-page essay expected of him from the government. He is aided by two agents (who actually help very little) and an Indian girl named Maya who was hired as his assistant. Brooks' interviews and a failed stand-up performance begin to attract the attention of the Indian government, who fear he is a spy of some sort. When Brooks, unable to get a visa, illegally enters Pakistan for four hours to interview several fledgling Pakistan comedians, the Indian goverment becomes even more paranoid, increasing border control. This action causes alarm to Pakistan, who responds with security measures of their own. As tension between the countries grows, the American government orders Brooks to leave the country and return to America. It is later said that the tension between Pakistan and India is resolved after they learn that everything was Brooks' fault. It is also revealed that Maya sent what was written of the report to Washington, which received no recognition.

Reviews and box-office

The film received mixed reviews from critics. According to RottenTomatoes, it received 42% positive reviews. [ [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/looking_for_comedy_in_the_muslim_world/ Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World - Movie Reviews, Trailers, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes ] ] It opened in limited release (in only 161 theatres) and earned a total gross of $888,975, considerably less than its budget of $10 million. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433116/business Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (2005) - Box office / business ] ]

References

External links

*imdb title|id=0433116|title=Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World