52
Metascore
37 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 70TimeRichard SchickelTimeRichard SchickelThere's no attempt to address the show's endemic weak spots--a slow start and a contrived end. Mostly Stroman just lets it rip. But in some respects the movie is an improvement on the show.
- 70Village VoiceJ. HobermanVillage VoiceJ. HobermanBroderick is a genuine trouper, hoofing his way through his big numbers, while Lane's antics are difficult to resist.
- 70The A.V. ClubNathan RabinThe A.V. ClubNathan RabinThe result is largely a giddy, goofy delight.
- 60VarietyTodd McCarthyVarietyTodd McCarthySo determinedly old-fashioned it makes a strong claim to being the best film musical of 1959.
- 50NewsweekDavid AnsenNewsweekDavid AnsenThe theatricality is off the charts. Lane aims for the balconies; Broderick tones it down for the camera a bit.
- 50The Hollywood ReporterKirk HoneycuttThe Hollywood ReporterKirk HoneycuttThe best two performances belong to Uma Thurman and Will Ferrell. For the film to work, though, the two best roles should belong to Tony-winning Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick in the title roles.
- 50Film ThreatFilm ThreatIt's the curse of overacting and overdone shtick that does them in.
- 50Entertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumEntertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumThe accountant in Bloom would probably approve of the new Producers: It's an efficient extension of a popular brand. In theory, what's not to like? In reality, the whole schmear.
- 50L.A. WeeklyScott FoundasL.A. WeeklyScott FoundasThe musical film version of The Producers is, for better or worse, a faithful record of the stage production, adhering to the same if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it philosophy that informed the recent "Rent."
- 50ReelViewsJames BerardinelliReelViewsJames BerardinelliThe Producers is a movie based on a play based on a movie about a play. And that's probably the funniest thing about it.