Albert Brooks: Defending My Life

Name: Albert Brooks: Defending My Life
Genre: Biography, Documentary
Released: November 11, 2023
Duration: 88 min
Rating: 74
Cast: Alana Haim, Albert Brooks, Chris Rock, Conan O'Brien, James L. Brooks

2023

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Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews

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Albert Brooks: Defending My Life

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Movie Details & Credits

HBO Max | Release Date (Streaming): November 11, 2023

Starring: Alana Haim, Albert Brooks, Chris Rock, Conan O'Brien, James L. Brooks, Jonah Hill, Judd Apatow, Larry David, Nikki Glaser, Rob Reiner

Summary: Since the late 1960s, Albert Brooks has been a major force in American comedy with his smart, sometimes absurdist, and truly unique sense of humor. From stand-up, to acting, to writing and directing short films, to his seven, iconic, original motion pictures, including “Modern Romance,” “Lost in America,” “Mother,” and more, Brooks hasSince the late 1960s, Albert Brooks has been a major force in American comedy with his smart, sometimes absurdist, and truly unique sense of humor. From stand-up, to acting, to writing and directing short films, to his seven, iconic, original motion pictures, including “Modern Romance,” “Lost in America,” “Mother,” and more, Brooks has paved the way for future generations and remains a comedic force in a league of his own. With testimonials from some of the brightest comedy talents and serious thinkers, as well as family and friends, Albert Brooks: Defending My Life chronicles Brooks’ very early work all the way to present day. In this deep and personal conversation, Reiner and Brooks explore the origins and evolution of Brooks’ career, the impetus for his creativity, and the impact he has had on the world of comedy.… Expand

Director: Rob Reiner

Genre(s): Biography, Documentary

Runtime: 88 min

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Critic Reviews

RogerEbert.com Matt Zoller Seitz

Nov 10, 2023

This film will be a treat for anyone who loves any part of Brooks' career, or all of it. And its subject is so fascinating and open-hearted that one can imagine people who've never heard his name until now getting something out of it, too. Read full review

Richard Roeper

Nov 10, 2023

With Brooks’ close friend Rob Reiner serving as director and interviewer, the HBO documentary Albert Brooks: Defending My Life serves as a wonderful Greatest Hits retrospective of Brooks’ invaluable contributions to the entertainment world, as well as a brief but insightful look at Brooks’ upbringing, which provides some therapist couch-worthy insights into his motivations and his particular brand of comedy. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Nov 10, 2023

The Brooks-Reiner banter is so understated and natural as to basically feel like eavesdropping on one of their lunches, which practically yields more memories than insights. Read full review

The Daily Beast Nick Schager

Nov 14, 2023

Both a comprehensive primer and a nostalgic celebration, it successfully makes the case that few 20th-century funnymen were as daring, pioneering, or outright amusing. Read full review

John Anderson

Nov 10, 2023

Watching Mr. Brooks’s career roll out in a compressed form is quite a treat, though Mr. Reiner seems to race toward the finish to include everything that he needs to get in. Read full review

Daniel Fienberg

Nov 13, 2023

All of the friends and acolytes singing Brooks’ praises are great, but it’s possible that Defending My Life would have been more satisfying had it just been Brooks, Reiner and some fantastic clips. As it is, the doc might leave you yearning for additional depth. Read full review

Calum Marsh

Nov 9, 2023

While Brooks deserves acclaim, he deserves it in a format as compelling and dynamic as he is. “Defending My Life” is simply too flat. Read full review

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