Albert Brooks: Defending My Life

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).

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 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.

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.

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.