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"The Producers," which is a film adaptation of a wildly successful Broadway show, which was an adaptation of Mel Brooks’ cult film classic, has its moments. Many of the 1968 movie’s best lines and sight gags are still intact and some of the musical numbers are inspired. But overall it’s somewhat of a disappointment.
Nathan Lane plays Max Bialystock, a Broadway producer known for his flops. When timid accountant Leo Bloom (Matthew Broderick) discovers a minor discrepancy in the books, he openly muses Max could make a ton if he oversold shares of a show and it closed opening night. Max soon has Leo roped into a scheme that involves finding the worst show ever written.
One hates to compare, but here it’s unavoidable.
"The Producers" 2005 is not nearly as funny as it should be, despite the fact Brooks had a hand in both the Broadway adaptation and the new screenplay. Too many times this film opts for Broadway-style glitz when it should be making you laugh in fits.
When the show lifts directly from the movie, it suffers in comparison as Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder were so brilliant in the roles played by Lane and Broderick, respectively. When the film adds musical numbers, the effect is hit or miss. Sure it’s fun to see Uma Thurman do her best Ginger Rogers, but is it funny? The other problem is one of the funniest bits in the original has been erased. Gone is the flower child Adolph Hitler, played by the late Dick Shawn. One of the original’s best moments is when Shawn auditions for "Springtime for Hitler" and plays an amazingly bad psychedelic tune, to which an ecstatic Mostel bellows "We have our Hitler." It’s replaced with something far less funny.
When it clicks, "The Producers" reminded me of an era when Broadway was pop culture. Many of the numbers are fun in a way that musicals just aren’t anymore. And Lane was born to sing and dance.
Those who love the Broadway show will not be disappointed.
The Producers
PG-13
Two-and-a-half reels out of four
Playing in area theaters
Recommended rental
The Gospel
PG
Available Tuesday
Boris Kodjoe ("Love and Basketball," TV’s "Soul Food") is David, a successful R&B singer estranged from his minister father, Bishop Taylor (Clifton Powell). When David learns his father is ailing, he returns to the church, hoping to help as well as find some answers. Unfortunately, not everybody is happy to see the prodigal son return. Chief among them is David’s childhood friend (Idris Elba), who was counting on replacing the good bishop when he meets his maker.
