 | "The Producers" opens like an old fashioned movie musical, and as with any remake it's tricky not to compare it to the original. For my money though, this version is superior to the 1968 film. All the essential elements are there; Mel Brooks' over the top humour, disturbingly catchy songs (I challenge you not to be humming "Springtime for Hitler" on your way our of the movie theatre)and more innuendo than you can shake a stick at. What's different, is better. Nathan Lane makes Max Bialystock,the failing Broadway producer much more watchable as he manages to be slimy yet lovable - No mean feat. And although it may seem blasphemous to Gene Wilder fans, Matthew Broderick is superb in the role of Leo Bloom ( Max's snivelling accountant), bringing to the part a vulnerable yet laughable quality which does him credit. Uma Thurman sends up the clueless Ulla beautifully and Will Ferrel is on top form as the crazed nazi turned playwright Franz Leibkind.
The story centres around Max and Leo's relationship, as they battle to put on the worst flop of all time. They figure that through Leo's creative accounting and Max's talent for producing duds, they can't go wrong. The ensuing race to find a director and cast as awful as the play (a musical about how wonderful Hitler was) is as entertaining as the resulting show and crazy aftermath. The insane camping up of the gay characters, the German playwright with a pigeon named Adolf, and the dumb Scandinavian secretary who's idea of cleaning up the office is to paint everything (and I mean everything) white, are far too outrageous to be in the least offensive. The original stage play was rather infamous in the way that it shocked people at the time. It therefore seems perfect timing to re-release this comic masterpiece in these modern times of political correctness. Some may find the slapstick humour old fashioned occasionally, but the silly songs (who could forget the "Guten Tag Clop Clop")and the indiscriminate mickey-taking more than make up for it. In short, this is a hugely entertaining piece of craziness, not to be missed. Oh, and hang around at the end for the songs and a post credits treat. 4 stars |
# posted by Heather @ 9:22 PM. e-mail this to a friend -
