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 | The Producers Director: Susan Stroman Rated: G Now screening  Broadway producer Max Bialystock (Nathan Lane) is desperate to make money after a string of financial failures. His accountant Leo Bloom (Matthew Broderick) suggests that Max could make more money with a flop production, hence they set the wheels in motion to produce the worst play ever written for Broadway. They find 'Springtime For Hitler: A Gay Romp With Adolf & Eva', written by eccentric former Nazi Franz Liebkind (Will Ferrell). The 'worst director on Broadway' Roger De Bris (Roger Bart), and a Swedish actress Ulla (Uma Thurman), are then enlisted to bring their 'vision' to the stage. What follows is a series of mishaps and calamities that have results that neither Max or Leo could ever have expected.If ever there was a film that was ruined by terrible performances, this is it!. Nathan Lane is a carry-over from the Broadway version, and over-acts considerably as Max. His performance is far too theatrical for a film version, and doesn't compare to Zero Mostel's take in the original film. Lane acts his role very mechanically, as he pushes the gags the way they're meant to go, but isn't as 'free flowing' with the material as he should be. Matthew Broderick is simply appalling as Leo, giving by far one of the worst performances of his career. The look on Broderick's face as he tries to make his lines funny is painful to watch at times. His theatrical acting is too broad and over the top for what is meant to be a cinematic version of the play. It's very curious as to why Lane and Broderick have adopted this style of acting, as they are both seasoned performers in films. Their lifeless rendering of their roles in this suggests that they finally grew tired of playing them, after doing so for too long on Broadway. Perhaps the two leads should have been cast with new actors to bring a freshness and vibrancy to the film. Of the other cast members, Uma Thurman does her best as Ulla, the nymphomaniac actress. However, her role isn't big enough to have an genuine impact. Although it's good to see Thurman in a rare comedy role, and Roger Bart as gay director Roger De Bris seems to be having a good time with things, their roles aren't as lively as they could have been. Easily the best in the film is Will Ferrell, who gives a delightfully demented performance as Hanz. Whenever he comes on the screen the film comes to life with the manic energy that it needs and he gives the right comedic touch to his role. It's a shame that the other cast members didn't have the same spark. This version of 'The Producers' is based on the successful Broadway play written by Mel Brooks. The first film version was made in 1968 and became a comedy classic. Whilst it has been a huge hit on stage, this screen version misses the mark in almost every way. The direction and acting is much too theatrical, with the actors looking into the camera while delivering their lines, which is distracting to say the least. Gags can be seen coming a mile off, and the bawdy vaudeville type jokes should have been kept on stage where they are more suited. The script itself is quite funny, but it clearly hasn't been adapted to suit the cinematic medium. Having said that, the musical numbers and the costuming are great to look at, and provide pleasant eye candy. Overall the film tries so hard to be funny, but is only good for light mirth. It's a pity Mel Brooks decided to re-hash one of his old stories to return to cinema, when he could have spent the time doing an original and funnier piece. As incredible as it may sound, he is in the planning stages of doing a musical version of another of his old hits 'Young Frankenstein'. It can only be hoped that it turns about better than this misguided effort.  | |
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