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Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World

(2006, Rated PG-13, Comedy, Starring Albert Brooks, John Lynch, Sheetal Sheth)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Odd comedy sends Albert Brooks to South Asia.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Main character behaves badly, repeatedly, while imagining he's doing right, by imposing his values on his hosts and making assumptions about what's "funny."
  • Violence:

    Some threat of war (missiles and guns deployed); Brooks accompanied by gun-toting Palestinian when he crosses border.
  • Sex:

    Brooks' wife shows brief cleavage; some belly dancers on TV, one job (apparently pre-op) applicant states he wants to be a woman.
  • Language:

    Some use of the s-word and "hell," one f-word.
  • Consumerism:

    Brooks stays at the Hyatt in New Delhi; running joke about the outsourcing work to India (references to Kenmore, Dell, Toys R Us, Harry and David); also references to Finding Nemo.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Minor drinking in a bar; Brooks smokes a cigarette during his (unconvincing) ventriloquist's act; Palestinian comedians smoke something to get high when he comes to visit them.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World

Parents need to know that the film's comedy is premised on stereotypes and parodies, showcasing the protagonist's self-absorbed ignorance, and by extension, U.S. self-importance when dealing with "the Muslim World." Some jokes are potentially offensive ("Your mother thinks Muslim is a fabric"; a director says she doesn't want to "go a Jewish way" on her new movie) and some characters are obnoxious. Pakistani and Indian officials misread Brooks' activities, both sides thinking he's a spy for the other, and "resume armed conflict" at film's end (this is represented as a joke, in the background on TV). The film features some strong language ("hell," s-words, one f-word).

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the concept of humor as a means to make connections between cultures. How might discussion and entertainment help to work through differences? How does Brooks' comedy reveal the effects of arrogance and self-involvement, despite seeming good intentions? How does the movie use stereotypes to comic effect?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Why is there no Halloween in India? Because they took away the Ghandi!

    This movie is pretty funny. I like Albert Brooks, mainly because a good deal of this movie is about people who do not like him. A lot of the movie isn't funny, because it's about people who don't find his jokes funny, thus they are not really humorous to the viewer, but other than that it's great. 12 and up.

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