Review of The Producers (1968) by Rebecca H — 10 Dec 2008

Gene Wilder is funny, and adorable as Leo Bloom, a childlike accountant. There's a very, very odd relationship, close but unexplored, between him and Max Bialystock, a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer who needs Leo to help him put on a flop and steal the money. Max is Zero Mostel, who is less likeable. He comes across as a big, gross scary bear. This is a bizarre film, surreal and yet somehow missing surreal elements, and yet even here, I don't believe Max is real, I don't believe what he says are genuine words from a real person, but sound like lines from a script he doesn't understand, and I certainly don't care about him.

A weird film, in which unbelievable characters shout a lot, where the comedy misses the mark and is extremely offensive towards women and although occasionally funny, is mostly slow and empty.