The Producers movie, Sat. 7pm

[crzyrocket]

Posted: 12/18/05 at 9:47pm

A little long and spoilers…

I saw the movie last night, 7pm, Ziegfeld Theater.

I've been waiting in anticipation for this movie for a year + and therefore, I may babble on. The reviews got me very worried but the film was WONDERFUL. I wasn't sure how the jokes would hold out, I've seen the show several times, and sometimes jokes get tired after awhile. Instead, I found myself laughing just as hard as I did the very first time I saw the show. There’s some added lines/dialogue that are hilarious and I sort of wish they could be integrated into the stage show. What I really liked was the fact that the movie knew what it was supposed to be. A big musical, very tongue-in-cheek, with the actors sort of giving the audience a giant wink, acknowledging our presence. Instead of just watching everything happening, we're actually being let in on the whole scheme.

One of the biggest criticisms from critics was the "mugging" and "playing to the back of the house". Yes, their expressions are not too subtle, but they’re far from being too much. They fit exactly with the mood of the whole piece. I'm not quite sure if a toned down approach would be successful at all. Some of the biggest laughs don't come from spoken lines, they come from the facial expressions the characters have. I do adore Nathan Lane very much, I can see why his performance was highly praised in 2001. He just inhibits the Max character. I nearly fell over laughing at Nathan's crazy fall when Matthew asks, "So how much do we put in?" Priceless.

Bloom is not a character that I ever really liked. I just find him to be annoying and sort of “blah”. Matthew Broderick makes a fine Bloom, and to his credit, he made me laugh at the blue blanket scene, which I always found a bit tedious.

Will Ferrell makes a nice Franz Liebkind. He did well, and I can't complain much. He could have been just a tad more "sweeter" though, his Franz was a little on the totally crazy side instead of “sweet Nazi”. Uma Thurman was not bad as Ulla. She's certainly got the looks, and she dances well. Her accent's a little strange but her singing is good enough for “If You Got It, Flaunt It”. It sort of adds to the notion that Max and Leo are only hiring her based on looks instead of her singing ability.

I'm saving the best for last. Roger Bart was a hoot. His Carmen Ghia is so strange. That accent of his is the oddest thing in the world, and I'm not sure how anyone could not start laughing when he speaks. The hair is so different, and if you look closely, he even had his eyebrows twisted upwards. And of course, Gary Beach. I’m a big fan of his, and it was so wonderful to see him on the big screen. Roger DeBris is his role, and really, he's the only one who can really milk it for all the laughs. I haven’t seen a Roger DeBris yet that’s as funny as Mr. Beach. It's not just the fact that his character is so outlandish, it's the tiny subtleties that make the character so much funnier. During the audition scene, he watches Carmen walk to the table and has this appreciative look on his face as if saying, "Nice ass!" I'm laughing just thinking about it. On a purely fangirl note, he hikes his dress up pretty high in the movie and he has got some pair of legs on him! I mean, I've seen them before, but just not that much.

What I really enjoyed were the credits. Instead of the text just scrolling by, the credits are also a look back at older Hollywood credits. They show a picture of the character with the actor’s name. I wish credits were still done like that today. There were also two chorus girls dancing throughout. "There's Nothing Like a Show On Broadway" and "The Hop Clop Goes On" are both nice songs, the latter being especially hilarious. At the end comes "Goodbye" which is an extra scene featuring Mel Brooks who got a nice round of applause. How often can one say they actually enjoy the credits?

Of course, the movie wasn't entirely perfect but I found that the faults with the movie are also faults with the stage show. Blue blanket scene was thankfully cut short. Works better. The beginning is always slow. Basically, it's just Max and Leo until Franz and then the real action starts. The end of "Along Came Bialy" is sort of awkward because it's supposed to the Act 1 Finale, and instead, is reduced to just a song and then cuts to the office scene and "That Face". While I enjoyed the dancing in "That Face", I never cared much for the song. The ending drags a little but these are only minor annoyances though.

The theatre was not quite full, maybe only 3/4, but they were laughing the whole time. We got questionnaires to fill out about the movie, which I found strange because the movie is finished.

Anyway, a thoroughly entertaining movie. Definitely planning on a return visit (although after the movie ticket price drops).

Posted: 12/18/05 at 10:03pm

Im so excited to see this!!!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/18/05 at 10:08pm

I had the pleasure of talking to Gary Beach about it at the St. James today. He was very excited, as I was the only one in the crowd who had seen it.

He thanked me very much for paying $12.50 and then said that he has plans to see it again tonight or tomorrow to see how a "normal audience" reacts. He's only seen it at the premiere with all the "Hollywood people."

I thought it was a great movie. A little disappointed that King of Broadway was cut, and that Matt and Nate played to the audience too much. I'm definately seeing it again in wide release. Keep it Gay was the best scene. I was peeing in my pants.

Oh, stay until the end of the credits. It's well worth it.
Updated On: 12/18/05 at 10:08 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/18/05 at 11:39pm

Why do people feel the need to tell us where and when they saw the movie?

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 12/18/05 at 11:42pm

Why do I feel the need to spank you.

[crzyrocket]

Posted: 12/18/05 at 11:58pm

To give you an idea of the environment.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 12:00am

Because you found out that Christina tampered with my harness?

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 12:05am

Get back in that bed before I change my mind.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 12:09am

But Mommy, I have to pee.

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 12:10am

Why must EVERYTHING be a contest?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 12:19am

But...

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 12:20am

MB - 1
Munk - 0

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 12:21am

MB?

[sabrelady]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 3:52am

I kinda want to wait for the dvd . sure to have lots of deleted scenes ( King of Bway?) commentary by Stro Brooks et all. outtakes . Will probabaly see it on the big screen but really think i'll like it better w "extras" But I'm very spoiled.

[xM3L24x]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 7:59am

Oo, i'm soo excited to see this!!

[YankeeGal#24]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 8:26am

I can't wait to see it (Christmas Day). Thanks for the review crzyrocket. It sounds great!

[xxnewgirlxx]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 10:09am

I saw it yesterday and LOVED it. It's very "theatrical", meaning its very remnicent (sp?) of the stage show. I will admit it took me about 15 minutees to really get into it, but it was very entertaining and clever.

Also, a ton of theatre cameos..watch out for them...

[twotrey]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 2:43pm

>>>The theatre was not quite full, maybe only 3/4, but they were laughing the whole time. We got questionnaires to fill out about the movie, which I found strange because the movie is finished. <<<

I think it's used to help shape marketing as it goes into wider release. I've had this happen to me when seeing films during an initial limited release, suddenly getting a questionnaire afterward--Shakespeare in Love being the most notable.

[my2cents]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 3:59pm

Why do people feel the need to tell us where and when they saw the movie?

cause the 7pm may be different then the 10pm version, you know understudies, swings, etc...

and I heard the ziegfield cast is better.

[Horton]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 4:45pm

Why do you have to critize, and so what if she said that, that informs me that she saw it in New York, because audences there may react differently than in Toronto. Thank you

[justme2]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 6:17pm

I have a question regarding the marketing of this film. Every time I see the commerical on television, the voice over says.."The most acclaimed show in Broadway history".


Is this an accurate statement? Out of all the Broadway shows throughout history (Showboat, Oklahoma, Gypsy, West Side Story, etc), this is the most acclaimed show in Broadway history? Or are they simply speaking in monetary terms?

[phantom8019]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 6:25pm

When they say acclaimed they mean it won the most Tonys.
13 I think, right?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 6:25pm

No, it's probably not an accurate statement.

But, one of the most acclaimed shows in RECENT Broadway history would be a true statement.

However, they can get away with it because no one is going to challenge it.

[Billboard Girl]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 6:26pm

"I have a question regarding the marketing of this film. Every time I see the commerical on television, the voice over says.."The most acclaimed show in Broadway history".


Is this an accurate statement? Out of all the Broadway shows throughout history (Showboat, Oklahoma, Gypsy, West Side Story, etc), this is the most acclaimed show in Broadway history? Or are they simply speaking in monetary terms? "

It's a reference to the show winning 12 Tonys, a record.

[justme2]

Posted: 12/20/05 at 3:34pm

Thanks, all, for the answer to my question. I am glad it's only a reflection of Tony Award wins. Perhaps they should say THAT, instead.