[go: up one dir, main page]

    Calendário de lançamento250 filmes mais bem avaliadosFilmes mais popularesPesquisar filmes por gêneroBilheteria de sucessoHorários de exibição e ingressosNotícias de filmesDestaque do cinema indiano
    O que está passando na TV e no streamingAs 250 séries mais bem avaliadasProgramas de TV mais popularesPesquisar séries por gêneroNotícias de TV
    O que assistirTrailers mais recentesOriginais do IMDbEscolhas do IMDbDestaque da IMDbGuia de entretenimento para a famíliaPodcasts do IMDb
    EmmysSuperheroes GuideSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideBest Of 2025 So FarDisability Pride MonthPrêmios STARMeterCentral de prêmiosCentral de festivaisTodos os eventos
    Criado hojeCelebridades mais popularesNotícias de celebridades
    Central de ajudaZona do colaboradorEnquetes
Para profissionais do setor
  • Idioma
  • Totalmente suportado
  • English (United States)
    Parcialmente suportado
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Lista de favoritos
Fazer login
  • Totalmente suportado
  • English (United States)
    Parcialmente suportado
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Usar o app
Voltar
  • Elenco e equipe
  • Avaliações de usuários
  • Curiosidades
  • Perguntas frequentes
IMDbPro
Albert Brooks in Albert Brooks: Defending My Life (2023)

Avaliações de usuários

Albert Brooks: Defending My Life

21 avaliações
8/10

Overdue Look at a Brilliant Comic Mind and a Most Audacious Spirit

Albert Brooks has always been criminally underrated, first as a stand-up comic, then as a filmmaker and casting himself as the leading man, and finally as a character actor in other people's movies ("Broadcast News", "Drive"). His off-the-ledge audacity and unique sense of the absurd didn't go over with everybody, but he is revered by fellow comics and those of us dazzled by his laser-sharp wit. It was smart to have his best friend Rob Reiner direct and interview him in this fleet but invaluable 2023 documentary. Their casual rapport not only helps offset some of the more zealous comments from his celebrity fans but provides insightful context to the most memorable moments of his career including two of my favorite films, "Lost in America" and "Defending Your Life". They also delve into his fascinating star-studded childhood when his successful comedian father died at a Friars Roast for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. It made me wonder if it was Brooks' idea for his character to die in the opening moments of "Private Benjamin" when his zealous bridegroom has a fatal wedding night coronary while having sex with Goldie Hawn. After all, he finds humor in the least likely situations.
  • EUyeshima
  • 18 de nov. de 2023
  • Link permanente
7/10

The Mark of Albert Brooks

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".
  • tributarystu
  • 14 de nov. de 2023
  • Link permanente
8/10

A Great personal Documentary

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.
  • tkdlifemagazine
  • 15 de nov. de 2023
  • Link permanente

Rob Reiner's My Dinner With Einstein

Not as much a documentary as two old friends having a long discussion. It's Rob Reiner's MY DINNER WITH EINSTEIN.

Einstein here is, of course, known to the world as Albert Brooks. Reiner and Brooks have been friends for some 60 years. It's a very chummy look at his life and career. The clips are good, if not long enough to really capture Brooks' sense of humor. The guest interviews include a lot of mutual friends such as Larry David, Judd Apatow, Steven Spielberg etc. And they never hit very deeply either. Brooks fondly recalls his show business upbringing as his parents were both performers (curiously, Brooks' late brother, comedian Bob Einstein, is given almost no mention at all).

Most interesting here are the pre-SNL and Tonight Show footage showing the young Brooks developing his routines on variety programs hosted by the likes of Johnny Cash, The Everly Brothers and Helen Reddy. Brooks is working out his thoughts on the nature of comedy itself. His act occassionally veers into Andy Kauffman level conceptual art - with a less dangerous edge, perhaps. Even in this nascent stage, Brooks' greatest strength is that his "characters" are really just himself. What sets Brooks apart from most comics is his willingness to be unlikeable - often, deeply so. Narscistic. Venal. Mean. Conceited. It's that lack of traditional warmth that explains why for such a famed and lauded creator, he's only made seven films over a 50+ year career (although it's never directly explored here). Of course, it's Brooks' sarcastic humor and intelligent irony that has made him an icon.

DEFENDING MY LIFE is an enjoyable look for fans of Brooks but don't expect anything probing or challenging (curiously, unlike his actual work).
  • gortx
  • 4 de dez. de 2023
  • Link permanente
10/10

A Documentary of the Funniest Man in The World

Such an amazing way to see the shape of Albert Brooks' career. The standup featured in the opening, much of which I had never seen before, sets the stage for an amazing filmmaking career. He is both cerebral and meta and makes the viewer laugh at what their laughing at. So many people will get a glimpse of rarer movies, such as Real Life and Modern Romance and then delight in seeing Lost in America and Defending Your Life. I love the scene in Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World and it makes me want to see it agin. The personal component about his childhood and family, gives it heart. I loved this documentary.
  • love-08238
  • 15 de nov. de 2023
  • Link permanente
10/10

I love this a lot!

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.
  • UniqueParticle
  • 23 de nov. de 2023
  • Link permanente
6/10

Under the radar comedian now assessed as the "caviar of comedy"

As "Albert Brooks: Defending My Life" (2023 release; 89 min.) opens, director (and lifelong close friend) Rob Reiner and Brooks are in a near-empty restaurant. Reiner asks some questions, and Brooks reminisces about this, that or the other. At this point we are 10 min. Into the documentary.

Couple of comments: Albert Brooks (ne Albert Einstein, no, really!) had a good run at in as a comedian and later actor-writer-director. But he never really made it into the stratosphere, commercially that is. For that his kind of humor and comedy was a bit too off-center. Chances are you can't name a single of the movies he directed (and usually starred in himself). Thar is not to knock the guy. It's just that, even though I certainly was aware who he was, he never became a giant. Can you name any movie off the top of your head that Brooks directed (and typically also starred in)? I couldn't, although watching this documentary some of them came back to me for sure. Turns out that plenty of big names including Sharon Stone, Larry David, James L Brooks, Conan O'Brien, Sarah Silverman, Jonah Hill, just to name those, feel differently and describe Brooks as groundbreaking. Or as one puts it: the "caviar of comedy". Ok then. But is the documentary itself any good? It certainly is entertaining. The hour and a half just flew by. But that doesn't make it truly memorable as such. It's a little like Brooks himself: a little under the radar for most.

"Albert Brooks: Defending My Life" recently premiered on HBO and is also streaming on Max, where I caught it last night. Whether you are a big fan of Albert Brooks, or simply just aware of him, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
  • paul-allaer
  • 15 de nov. de 2023
  • Link permanente
10/10

A documentary as brilliant as the subject

  • HOLYDIVER575
  • 22 de nov. de 2023
  • Link permanente
6/10

The Californian version of Woody Allen

What's most special to me about Albert Brooks' comedies is that he told a story. He would do sketches and silly standup comedy at the start of his career, but I never thought he excelled at that. But he did excel and distinguish himself by making his jokes turn around an entire storyline of thoughts.

He did excell at directing and acting in serious roles as well. His comedy movies about human character flaws are so real and recognizable, so embarrassing but true simultanesously, that they become funny, while being acted out dead serious. That's when I loved Albert Brooks the most.

This documentary isnt the best in it's genre, because everybody is glorifying the man till they see blue in the face, while Albert Brooks is still very much alive. Shouldnt these documentaries be made when the dude has passed on to greener pastures?

Albert Brooks is one heck of a guy. A brilliant actor and comedy genius. But what I truly missed in this documentary is the subtle but oh so witty and mischievous satire that he is best at in his own work, but is now completely absent in this documentary about his life. Too much a** kissing my friends...
  • imseeg
  • 21 de dez. de 2023
  • Link permanente
9/10

great documentary but they

Forgot to mention a great movie where Brooks starred in and that is My First Mister which was also very special. Finally his talent, kind humor and transformative moments he is gifting the audience with are recognized. There is no movie with Albert Brooks that can disappoint and that is so rare yet Brooks seemed to be always in the shadows of the Hollywood few chosen ones. But after watching this documentary, you will at least feel some long-time overdue homage to such a gem of an actor and writer whose movies I can keep on watching and keep having the same reaction as watching them for the first time.
  • nyobatusa
  • 5 de jun. de 2024
  • Link permanente
7/10

Food For The Soul

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.
  • chrismed-54794
  • 18 de nov. de 2023
  • Link permanente
10/10

ONE OF THE GREATS...!

A recent documentary streaming on MAX directed by Rob Reiner (who's been a friend since high school) about seminal comedian Albert Brooks. Tracing their friendship from his own family tree (Brooks' dad was a comedian as well who famously died during a roast & his mother, a singer) led Brooks to follow in the family business at first ingratiating himself to the lions of comedy of the day (Rob's dad, Carl & Mel Brooks) w/his off kilter comedy bits which would have the old masters in tears. Nearly becoming the permanent host of SNL still afforded him guest spots w/his inventive short films which also bore fruit in numerous guest appearances (I remember watching his spot on Carson growing up where he'd used hot food to do impersonations, great stuff!) & then came his film work which would gain new audiences & undying admiration from his comedic peers (some of whom are interviewed like Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman, et al). Some of his films Modern Romance, Defending Your Life, Mother, Lost in America have become touchstones of the human condition wrung through a wringer of bemused critiques which ranks Brooks (who I hope still has a couple left in him!) w/the best of the best.
  • masonfisk
  • 27 de ago. de 2024
  • Link permanente
6/10

Uncurbed Enthusiasm

I thought I loved Albert Brooks, but I walked away realizing it's Rob Reiner who *really* loves Albert. This movie probably won't do much for folks who don't already partially worship Brooks.

Still an enjoyable time celebrating their friendship and Brooks' career. Somehow I've not seen "Real Life" so I need to correct that pronto, like a lot of Brooks' comedy it's funny, but painfully on point at the same time.

I do think that he's quite a bit like this characters, well besides the occasional heavy, kudos to his agent for getting that role in "Drive." So after seeing some of his failed attempts on-screen in romance, it's pretty amazing that he found a wife, and kudos on 26 years of marriage.

May she love and revel in you as much as Rob does.

The film does deliver some other nice inside info, I did not know about the Einstein name and the Carl Reiner teenage interaction (both well-discussed on their promo circuit for this paean-doc),. Loved seeing the old Tonight Show appearances, didn't catch those when I was too young. Driving around LA with Spielberg and other tales, nice that we got to sit at the table for those I guess.

Hmmm googling Albert and plastic surgery today and I found this gem : "Trying to stay young. Going to plastic surgeon today to have my attention span shortened." He's definitely got the jokes.

In a way this felt like it is the sequel to Brook's guesting on Curb Your Enthusiasm...
  • ThurstonHunger
  • 25 de dez. de 2023
  • Link permanente
5/10

Watch One of Brooks's Films Instead

When someone helps to shift the direction of something, regardless of the milieu involved, there's a natural inclination to want to celebrate that individual's contributions. In the area of stand-up comedy, one of the names that frequently comes to mind is Albert Brooks (born Albert Einstein - really). In the 1970s, his inventiveness took comedy in a new direction, inspiring others to follow suit and forever changing the art form, and this new HBO documentary from Brooks's lifelong friend, director Rob Reiner, is an apparently sincere attempt at paying tribute to the writer-actor-comedian-director. Unfortunately, this effort misses the mark in many respects (though it admittedly improves markedly in the picture's back half). Perhaps the biggest issue here is Reiner himself; as someone who has known Brooks since high school, he's probably too close to the material to present a balanced view of his subject. Many of his interview sequences with Brooks come across as two old friends reminiscing about the past without providing sufficient back story information for the viewers, the result being a vehicle that's a little too "inside" for audiences to fully appreciate the point of their conversations. What's more, the film has an annoying tendency to gush, especially when it comes to the comedian's early routines, work that may have been cutting-edge when first introduced but that, frankly, hasn't withstood the test of time. Toning down the hype here would help immeasurably, particularly in the film's interview segments with peers and admirers (including such entertainment industry heavy hitters as Chris Rock, Wanda Sykes, Ben Stiller, Sarah Silverman, Larry David, David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jon Stewart, Stephen Spielberg, James L. Brooks and Judd Apatow, among others), which often treat Brooks as the sole progenitor of innovative stand-up comedy. This is clearly a case of overstatement, especially since there were others at the time doing similarly inventive routines. The picture's opening sequence, largely devoted to the foregoing, rambles along far too long, too, delaying its treatment of what works best in this documentary - an examination of Brooks's achievements as the director of such movies as "Real Life" (1979), "Lost in America" (1985), "Defending Your Life" (1991) (his best work) and "Mother" (1996), as well as his performances in films like "Taxi Driver" (1976), "Broadcast News" (1987), "Drive" (2011) and "Concussion" (2015) and his animation voiceover work in "Finding Nemo" (2003), "Finding Dory" (2016) and his multiple appearances on the long-running TV series The Simpsons. These are the endeavors in which Brooks's brilliance truly shines, and they generally deserve better, more complete treatment than what they receive here. Don't get me wrong here - I'm a big fan of Brooks; however, I wish his talents and achievements had been showcased in a better film than what's on offer here. If you really want to get to know Brooks better, watch one of his films - they'll show you more about him than anything featured in this documentary.
  • brentsbulletinboard
  • 11 de nov. de 2023
  • Link permanente

Great documentary of a comedy legend!

  • jellyneckr
  • 23 de jun. de 2024
  • Link permanente
8/10

Matteo's Party of Three

2023 Documentary about the innovative, genius Comedian, filmmaker, actor this is Albert Brooks. The Director Rob Reiner takes us through Brooks's career via appearances on tv shows and films. As well as a sit down interview with Brooks and Reiner at Matteo's Restaurant in LA. Along with the many stars that are fans of Albert's. Such as Sharon Stone, Judd Apatow, James L Brooks, Larry David, Jonah Hill, Chris Rock, David Letterman, Nikki Glaser, Anthony Jeselnik, Conan O'brien, Sarah Silverman. After watching this Documentary you will need to see some of his great films like Mother (1996), The Muse (1999), Lost in America (1985) etc. Then you will want to go to Youtube and watch him on the Tonight Show and Letterman. I remember the first time I ever heard of Albert Brooks was his short films on SNL back in the 1970s which were so creative. Thank you Rob Reiner for showing us the career of your good friend Albert Brooks.
  • daveroseman-35849
  • 22 de jul. de 2024
  • Link permanente
8/10

Not a great documentary, but a great comic mind

If Rob Reiner (as well as his late father before him) had not been two of Albert Brooks' best friends since he was in high school, this would have been more interesting. Why did I rate it so highly? Because there's no shortage of evidence, archival and otherwise, on display here for us to review what a great actor and comedic mind the guy (born Albert Einstein) has been for 60 years. The title is a reference to one of, if not THE best movies he wrote, directed and acted in (opposite the past century's greatest actor, Meryl Streep, who asked HIM if she could appear in it with him), "Defending Your Life." If you haven't seen all of that one, please do so immediately. Only watch Rob's interview-based film on his friend if, like me, you wish he'd been your own best friend.
  • dfloro
  • 16 de dez. de 2023
  • Link permanente
7/10

VIEWS ON FILM review of Albert Brooks: Defending My Life

  • burlesonjesse5
  • 23 de nov. de 2023
  • Link permanente
7/10

One lf my favorite people of all time

I love Albert Einstein, we was my childhood hero in my hard life, he saves my life with his humor and i just adore the guy ok, he its the funniest men on earth and not everyone knows that

This is basically a recollection of scenes from his movies and comedy shows, he is a gifted man and gods knows it, he is also a very religious person, he is a devoted husband and incredible daddy, he is basically some of the most iconic characters of all timw, everybody loves him, Spielberg, Stiller, Brooks, Conan he is the hero of everyone ok, let's continue with our review ok, i just adore the guy ok, love him.
  • JonyVeana
  • 20 de jul. de 2024
  • Link permanente
3/10

A huge letdown: Two fantastic filmmakers tell, rather than show

Coming from Rob Reiner about Albert Brooks, this film is a huge letdown. Two fantastic filmmakers tell, rather than show.

This is NOT a documentary, but rather a filmed conversation, illustrated by archive photos and videos, occasionally interrupted with short praises coming from celebrity fans and very few actual collaborators.

Hopefully, someday, parts of this material will be used in a real documentary about Albert Brooks. A documentary that will do more than just recycle the already seen bits and pieces.

Reiner fails to show us the genius of his lifelong friend. Instead, he gives us a never-ending, uninspiring, and predictable paean. Combined with the impression of a very limited production budget, one gets an idea that this draft for a film was made in a great hurry.
  • Denoument
  • 17 de nov. de 2023
  • Link permanente
5/10

Rob Reiner likes his friend Albert Brooks

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.
  • hayley96
  • 18 de nov. de 2023
  • Link permanente

Mais deste título

Explore mais

Vistos recentemente

Ative os cookies do navegador para usar este recurso. Saiba mais.
Obtenha o aplicativo IMDb
Faça login para obter mais acessoFaça login para obter mais acesso
Siga o IMDb nas redes sociais
Obtenha o aplicativo IMDb
Para Android e iOS
Obtenha o aplicativo IMDb
  • Ajuda
  • Índice do site
  • IMDbPro
  • Box Office Mojo
  • Dados da licença do IMDb
  • Sala de imprensa
  • Anúncios
  • Empregos
  • Condições de uso
  • Política de privacidade
  • Your Ads Privacy Choices
IMDb, uma empresa da Amazon

© 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.