Watch Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World

Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World is a satirical comedy movie directed by and starring Albert Brooks. The movie was released in 2005 and follows the journey of a comedian named Albert Brooks, who is hired by the U.S. government to go to India and Pakistan to investigate what makes Muslims laugh. Brooks plays himself in the film, and he is struggling to find work in Hollywood. He gets a call from Karen Clarke (Penny Marshall), who is representing the U.S. government's efforts to improve its image in the Muslim world. Karen recruits Brooks to travel to India and Pakistan to find out what makes Muslims laugh, so they can create a report for the government.

Brooks is excited to take on the challenge and heads to New Delhi alone, with only a few clues and a vague sense of what he is looking for. He starts off by meeting with the U.S. ambassador to India, who tells him to blend in with the locals and find out what they find funny.

Brooks begins his quest to find comedy in the Muslim world by attending stand-up comedy shows, watching movies, and television programs. He also talks to people on the streets and in restaurants to try to understand their sense of humor. He visits a school for children, where he attempts to make them laugh by telling some jokes, but he has no success.

As Brooks travels deeper into India and Pakistan, he begins to feel homesick and starts to question the purpose of his mission. He realizes that he has been looking for something that cannot be easily defined or quantified. Nonetheless, he continues his efforts, and after many failed attempts, he finally gets a breakthrough in Pakistan.

One day, while sitting in a café, Brooks tells a joke to a group of men, and they all start laughing. Brooks discovers that they are all stand-up comedians, and they invite him to perform at their club. Brooks performs a stand-up routine that he believes will appeal to Muslims in both India and Pakistan.

The movie shows Brooks's efforts to perform a successful stand-up act, which he hopes will make the U.S. government and Muslim people laugh. The climax of the movie is a live performance by Brooks in front of a large Muslim audience, where he delivers his jokes and waits for the laughter.

Throughout the film, Brooks's character is constantly met with cultural misunderstandings, language barriers, and other hurdles. However, his sincere curiosity and desire to learn about Muslim culture make him a sympathetic character. He is not afraid to ask questions and does not take himself too seriously, which leads to some of the movie's funniest moments.

Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World is a light-hearted satire that explores the cultural divide between the U.S. and the Muslim world. The film pokes fun at stereotypes and misconceptions while showing that humor can be a bridge between different cultures. The movie makes a strong case for the power of comedy to bring people together and break down barriers.

In addition to Brooks, the film stars Sheetal Sheth as Maya, a beautiful assistant to the ambassador, and John Carroll Lynch as Stuart, Brooks's agent. The supporting cast includes some talented Indian and Pakistani actors, as well as several stand-up comedians who showcase their talent in the film.

Overall, Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World is a charming and thought-provoking movie that blends humor with cultural awareness. It has its share of laughs, but it also has a message of empathy and understanding that still resonates today.

Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World is a 2005 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 53.