“Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious.”
— Peter Usinov
Albert Brooks is a brilliant and prolific American director, screenwriter, comedian, and actor. This spunky documentary is directed by Rob Reiner who has been Brooks’ close friend since childhood. They converse about Brooks’ career and the sources of his creativity; television and film clips illustrate many of their recollections.
Brooks has always been able to make people laugh, and it is a lark watching him sending Johnny Carson into paroxysms of laughter during his appearances on The Tonight Show. Others who laud his comedy include Jon Stewart, Larry David, Sarah Silverman, David Letterman, Ben Stiller, Jonah Hill, Wanda Sykes, Conan O’Brien, James Brooks, Judd Apatow, and Steven Spielberg. The highest praise comes from Chris Rock: “He’s one of the most original thinkers that we’ve ever seen.”
In addition to his standup routines and appearances on variety shows, Brooks brought his comedic timing and often skewed view of daily life to his film work. He was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Broadcast News. He brought Nemo the fish to life with his voice work. And he demonstrated his versatility as writer, director, and actor with Modern Romance, Lost in America, and Defending Your Life.
This is one documentary guaranteed to make you laugh.
“Laughter is a holy thing. It is as sacred as music and silence and solemnity, maybe more sacred. Laughter is like a prayer. Like a bridge over which creatures tiptoe to meet each other. Laughter is like mercy; it heals. When you can laugh at yourself, you are free.”
— Ted Loder