SNMR 1.12: "The Producers"

Tonight's SNMR feature is "The Producers" (2005, PG-13, 135 minutes) starring Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Uma Thurman and Will Ferrell. The film was directed by Susan Stroman.

This is a DVD I bought strictly on impulse and reputation based on the popularity of the Broadway play of the same name, when I saw it new in the store a few weeks ago. The cast was also a factor. I've enjoyed some of Matthew Broderick's past films and also like some of Uma Thurman's previous films as well. Of course, Nathan Lane provides the voice of Timon in Disney's Lion King and is a very funny actor.

From the DVD's dust jacket:

"Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick return to their award-winning roles in this hilariously funny film of the Broadway smash hit. Scheming producer Max Bialystock (Lane) and his mousy accountant, Leo Bloom (Broderick), discover that under the right circumstances they could make more money by producing a Broadway flop than they could with a hit. But what will they do when their sure-to-offend musical becomes a surprise sensation? Co-starring sexy Uma Thurman and comedy genius Will Ferrell, The Producers is a fun-filled, side-splitting comedy.

I definitely enjoyed this film. Broderick and Lane have a good chemistry together, having worked together before. The musical numbers were very well written, lively and entertaining. Any Mel Brooks produced film is bound to be funny, which this one certainly was, though not side-splitting. I was impressed with the singing voices of all four leads (being that I can't sing well at all).

Overall, the story was interesting and moved along fairly well. I do think that the ending dragged on a bit longer than necessary. However, that's my only real complaint with this film. There are worse ways to kill two and 1/4 hours. "The Producers" is a worthwhile rent. I'll give it three out of five stars.