Movie Review - The Producers

Adann-Kennn Alexxandar
The Valdosta Daily Times

February 15, 2006 12:13 pm

— (Musical Comedy: 2 hours, 14 minutes); Starring: Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Uma Thurman, and Will Ferrell; Director: Susan Stroman; Rated: PG-13 (Violence, sexual innuendo, and mature themes)
Movie Review: Theatrical producer Max Bialystock (Lane) and his accountant Leo Bloom (Broderick) have a get-rich-quick plan. They realize it is possible for a producer to make more money with a failed show. The two ambitious men devise a plan to produce the worst show in town with the prospect of it failing. To do so, they need the worst stage musical ever written. They find the perfect musical, “Springtime for Hitler.”
Based on the musical by Mel Brooks, multiple award-winning choreographer Susan Stroman makes her directorial debut, bringing the Tony Award-winning musical “The Producers” to the big screen. One word for this comedy: funny! The banter never stops coming in this comedy which makes fun of many parts of society, including the homosexual community, Nazis, and blondes. Yet, like the plays and 1968 film version starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, nothing is offensive and the material remains tongue-in-cheek throughout. The cast in this modern remake is just a fantastic. Nathan Lane is dynamite as Bialystock. He and Broderick make a good pair. A nice surprise is Uma Thurman as Ulla, whom Bialystock and Bloom hire because of her beauty and sexiness. Thurman proves she can make the best of any role. And Will Ferrell finally finds a comedy where his silliness works. Stay through the credits for one more dash of comedy from comedic renaissance man Mel Brooks.
Grade: B+ (A great production)