The Producers (Review)

Posted by ad on Dec 6, 2005 in Film | 1 comment

This post originally appeared on Screen*Play.

It’s that time of year when films make last-minute, just-in-the-nick-of-time premieres, which get them in the running for Oscar gold.  This, of course, throws a big wrench in any and all well thought out predictions of what and who will take the big prize. Look out people, here comes the mother of all monkey wrenches, The Producers (Universal).

On Sunday afternoon, my dear friend Andy called asking if I’d like to go to the premiere of The Producers knowing full well I had a big exam Monday night and I was in lockdown a.k.a. disconnected from the world but connected to my books.  Let’s see – premiere or study?  I negotiated with myself for :02 seconds, decided I could live with a C, and promptly began tearing up my closet for something festive to wear, as directed by the invite. What is festive anyway?  At 7p I ran like hell to the subway, in 4″ heels, and headed off for the big event taking place at The Ziegfeld.

Broderick in The Producers

The Zigfield is considered “the last movie palace” showing films in New York City and is a reminder of what the movies must have been like back in the day with its opulent red carpet, gold architectural details and suit wearing staff. It was the perfect place for the premiere of The Producers.  The best part – there’s not a bad seat in the house and all of them are assigned. One can stroll in 1 minute before show time, sit down without breaking a sweat, while still looking fabulous. Now, host a premiere for a film version of the play that won the most Tony’s in Broadway history, and you’ll get a room full of New York’s theater royalty alongside the glamour of Hollywood. It was a magical room to be in.

Before I go any further, I must confess, I never got to see the play, but neither did most of the country.  So, I offer my humble perspective as part of the masses.  On with the review (no spoilers ahead).

The Producers runs about 2 hours and 10 minutes of which there were only about five minutes where I didn’t laugh…hard. It’s difficult to isolate one performance over the others because everyone is amazing. Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Uma Thurman, Will Ferrell, Roger Bart and Gary Beach all gave a piece of their soul to this film.

Brought to the screen by director Susan Stroman, who also directed and choreographed the Broadway play, The Producers takes a glorious step away from the stage and looks more like a film musical from the 1960s – glamorous costumes, incredible choreography and beautiful chorus girls, all shot on the streets of New York, which was transformed back to the days when women wore ball gowns and men wore tuxedos when going to see a show.  Of the principles, only Thurman and Ferrell have not appeared in the stage production, but you’d never know it. Both performed like well-seasoned Broadway vets.

Perfect holiday fare. Run, but not in 4″ heels, to see The Producers.