The M.O.W.'s Movie Review of The Producers (2005)

Starts a little slow, but does pick as it goes on
The M.O.W. - wrote on 08/02/08

"Max Bialystock" (Nathan Lane) is a Broadway producer who is failing, and will do anything to raise money to put on another play -- including romancing elderly women. "Leopold 'Leo' Bloom" is an accountant with the secret desire to become a Broadway producer. After "Bloom" discovers that they could make more money if they put on a flop, the two team-up to find the worst play ever to produce. However, something happens that has the opposite effect on what they believe is a sure-fire bomb.

This movie is a little weak on the big laughs, but it does produce (no pun intended) some good chuckles. The performances of the cast, and work best when the situation is equally over the top. Lane, Thurman and most of the cast are really good in their roles. Broderick, on the other hand, looks as if he is either afraid of the cameras or messing up, but his performance improves around the middle of the film.

At first, the film had a feel of a stage play with the look of many of the sets which were obviously on a soundstage. However, as the film goes on, I felt like I was watching a classic Hollywood musical.

There are a lot of sight gags typical of Mel Brooks, but none of them were as funny as in other Brooks films like "Spaceballs" or "Blazing Saddles". They did give me some good chuckles at times.

The songs are really cute, but you won't be singing them for a week after seeing this movie. The choreography that goes along with the songs are pretty good as well, and equally campy.

The Wardrobe Department did a good job with the period costuming. Thurman's gowns and dresses are beautiful. In fact, every cast member are wonderfully dressed.

If you like camp comedy, then this is a movie you will like, but not love. If you like classic Hollywood musicals, then you will like this film. But if you a bust-a-gut comedy, then you should skip this one.

In my opinion, I would only rent this if your first two picks are unavailable. It's an ok movie, not fantastic.