www.ravecentral.com
Tyler Simmons
Movie Columnist
January 27, 2006
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Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane and Uma Thurman play
the leading roles in "The Producers" www.ravecentral.com |
If director Susan Stroman and producer Mel Brooks were aiming to put an arrow through our funny bones: Bullseye!
“The Producers” follows the scheming exploits of Max Bialystock, a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer played by Nathan Lane, and his new accountant, Leopold Bloom, played by Matthew Broderick.
It all starts when Bloom walks into Bialystock’s office and discovers that a producer can make more money with a flop than with a hit. After that, through several humorous musical numbers, the two men form their plan.
They buy the rights to the worst play ever written, “Springtime for Hitler,” written by neo-Nazi Franz Liebkind (Will Ferrell). They hire the worst director in town, Roger De Bris, played by Gary Beach. And they hire a new secretary, the gorgeous Ulla, played by Uma Thurman. Throw all these characters together and what you get is pure Mel Brooks genius.
If you are not a fan of Mel Brooks’ previous works such as “Spaceballs,” “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” or “Silent Movie,” then this is not the movie for you.
Although he did not direct this movie as he did the original 1968 version with Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, he wrote the screenplay as well as the lyrics and the music for the Broadway production.
This was Susan Stroman’s first attempt to direct a major motion picture, and it was a win for her.
The actors also did their part. The chemistry between Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick comes through on the screen, such as in the scene when Bloom realizes that he will be a Broadway producer. Their facial expressions and ability to play off of each other has the audience laughing almost nonstop.
The chemical romance that evolves between Ulla - the singing, dancing and alluring secretary - and Bloom is incredible. Their best scene together is the song “That Face” when Bloom admits to his love for Ulla. Roger Du Bris and his flamboyant assistant Carmen Ghia play on the homosexual stereotype most associate with musicals.
Will Ferrell’s portrayal of Franz Liebkind is perfect for the part and had this reviewer laughing out loud.
Some viewers may - and probably will - be offended by much of the humor. But if jokes about sex, Hitler or homosexuality don’t turn you away, then you will enjoy this movie, which gets this reviewer’s five-star rating.