Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World | Rotten Tomatoes

Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World

PG-13

Released Jan 20, 2006

1 hr. 39 min.

Comedy

List

43%

109 Reviews

Tomatometer

27%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Jun 27

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

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

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Albert Brooks

Director

Albert Brooks

Albert Brooks

Sheetal Sheth

Maya

John Carroll Lynch

Stuart

Jon Tenney

Mark

Homie Doroodian

Majeed

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

%

%

Fern Brady: Autistic Bikini Queen

%

%

Tiger

%

%

Hip-Hop and The White House

%

%

Tigers on the Rise

88%

84%

Monkey Man

TRAILER

for Monkey Man

93%

%

Something You Said Last Night

%

%

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part Two

%

92%

La Cha Cha

%

%

The Moon and Back

%

%

Max Beyond

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Trailer Bulletin: Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World

View more photos

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

I think this thing is just flat and dead.

Feb 11, 2006

Full Review

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

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

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

Rated: 3.0/4.0

Sep 14, 2020

Full Review

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

Full Review

Read all reviews

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
Screenwriter: Albert Brooks
Distributor: Warner Independent
Production Co: Seventh Picture Productions LLC, Shangri-La Entertainment
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
Sound Mix: Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now