Albert Brooks: Defending My Life

One of the important funny men of the 70s-90s gets his own documentary from his friend Rob Reiner.

If you're not familiar with the stand-up by Albert Brooks, which I was not, you should know some of his movies - Modern Romance (1981), Lost in America (1985), Mother (1996), etc. And if you're not familiar with his movies, then perhaps with his performances - Broadcast News (1987), Finding Nemo (2003), Drive (2011), etc. And if you're still not familiar with him, geeze, I don't know how you've gone through life without seeing at least of these movies.

I've always held Brooks in my mind as a toned-down Woody Allen kind of figure, presumably because he did share some of the stylings in the movies that he wrote-directed-featured-in. He has worked on so many good films, regardless of his part in it, that it's hard to ignore him as an important artist of his era. Proof to that is the quantity and quality of talking heads who took part in retelling his story, from Stephen Spielberg to Ben Stiller to David Letterman (and many more). You get a good sense of the kind of guy Albert Brooks is and a taste of some of his memorable works, but a lot of the focus is on his irreverence as a stand-up comedian - which is probably where the value is in this, because the movies will always stand on their own.

Other than that, the documentary is traditional to a t, going over the career of AB while adding some context via a one on one interview between him and Rob Reiner. There's a fair amount of funny stuff in it, if not riveting, and a warm portrait of a guy who has left his own distinctive mark in "the business".

There's a danger in saluting your friend to an audience. Especially when you commit your adulation to film. And then sell it for showing to the masses. I kind of see Albert Brooks as a better looking forerunner to Larry David. He's turns annoyance and insecurity into an art form.

But as original as he may have been in his early days , he was often better in other director's material like Taxi Driver and Broadcast News.

The film is more of a friendly chat between long time pals than a serious dissection of Brooks impact on comedy. Honestly, some of the bits Brooks did as a kid killed Rob's dad's friends but struck me as "had to be there" moments.

In sum, it's not a terrible documentary but unless you are a comic nerd, it's a bit dull.

This documentary shedded the light how being raised properly by both parents is the greatest influence on a persons characteristic development. Gives a touch of nostalgia. Shows the beauty of a 60 year friendship between men never changes. These are the rare gems you should enjoy stumbling upon in the documented world of old Hollywood that will hold your intention with informative events in entertainment history, smalls jests mixed with with raw emotion, and high praises from some of the industries most iconic faces (Steven Spielberg, Larry David, Chris Rock, etc) making it an easy to watch & fun to learn about it. This isn't the awe-inspiring, award worthy documentary but what it does hold is value and if you can take anything from something to apply it in real life for growth, it's weight is worth more than gold.

I didn't realize how funny Albert Brooks was I just love him as an actor and this documentary hits the spot for me makes me appreciate Albert even more! I need to see more of his work such a humble being. I'm blown away how Rob Reiner has been friends with Albert since he was 16 with great stories to go with it. I don't understand how someone else said watch one of his other films this is so worth learning about everything and I love it all. Once in awhile I crave documentaries especially ones about famous actors sometimes other subjects I'm happy to be in the minority that loves all of this gem.

This is a great and very personal documentary of the living comic, writer, actors nd Director, Albert Brooks. Best friend and star in his own right, Rob Reiner, put together this great living retrospective of the life and career of Albert "Brooks" Einstein. The documentary has many clips, interviews, and one and one conversations between Brooks and Reiner. Brooks was a transformative entertainer and I really had no idea how many people's lives and careers he shaped. The stories of the origins of Saturday Night Live and his parents were worth watching alone. I was always a bigger fan of his beloved and deceased brother, Super Dave Osbourne aka Bob Einstein but Albert Is a unique talent.