Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World

Despite its ostensibly provocative title, writer-director Albert Brooks' film is actually a very mild satire in which the low-key comic, playing himself, is sent by the U.S. government on a “fact-finding” trip to India to gain data on what Moslems find humorous. Not surprisingly, Brooks' clueless ineptitude not only undermines any chance of collecting substantive information, but also inadvertently causes a military crisis in the region. While the star's dyspeptic persona and deadpan, self-deprecating approach does elicit some chuckles, the film itself is too slow, meandering, and soft. An early moment shows Brooks, summoned to Washington, DC, doing a fine double-take when ex-senator Fred Dalton Thompson mentions the “common knowledge” about President Bush's great sense of humor. Another good scene finds Brooks being asked to visit the offices of Al-Jazeera (he thinks the station wants to interview him about his project, but learns that they're interested in him for a starring role in a proposed sitcom called That Darned Jew). But even the better gags are milked too much, and the jokes never really build. Perhaps if the film had actually confronted the realities of its premise (i.e., if it was set in Pakistan, for instance), it might have been more pointed and biting. As it is, however, this politically defanged movie is little more than a toothless vehicle for Brooks' characteristic drowsy-eyed shtick. Not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include five minutes of additional scenes, and trailers. Bottom line: a paltry extras package for a disappointing comedy.] (F. Swietek)