The Producers (2005)

A washed up theatrical producer (Nathan Lane) entices a young accountant (Matthew Broderick) to join him in a scheme to raise more money than they need for a Broadway flop and keep the excess capital. But first, they have to find the worst play ever written. Based on the hit Broadway musical which was based on the Oscar winning 1967 Mel Brooks movie comedy and directed by Susan Stroman,  who also directed the stage musical. I'm not a fan of the 1967 film. A little Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder go a long way for me. Not only do I find Lane and Broderick more agreeable but Brooks' bad taste goes down easier with song and dance. The songs were written by Brooks and they vary from serviceable to very good and Stroman's choreography is lively. The film isn't very cinematic which most of the reviews complained about. It's essentially a filmed play but in this case, it worked. Fans of the 1967 original film most likely won't have much patience for this incarnation but I had a wonderful time. With Uma Thurman (looking drop dead gorgeous), Will Ferrell, Gary Beach, Roger Bart, Michael McKean, Jon Lovitz, Debra Monk, John Barrowman and Andrea Martin.