Albert Brooks: Defending My Life

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...

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...

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.

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).

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.

I have been an Albert Brooks fan for 35 years. Rob Reiner did an exceptional job capturing the and his brilliant mind. From the time Albert was a teenager, he was a brilliant comedian. The stories and the interviews with famous comedians and actors put an exclamation point on his brilliance. The documentary let the subject be the star. Many modern documentaries have the filmmakers as the focal point in terms of their struggles to make the film either with budgets being out of control or the subject is not cooperative. I only wish it was four hours long. When Letterman said he would rather have Albert's career than his own was the most telling admission. A+

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.

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.