The Producers (2005)

Movie review by Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
The Producers (2005) Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Long, too-faithful film of stage musical.

PG-13 2005 134 minutes
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Parents say

age 11+

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 13 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this film includes broad physical and what might be termed "vaudevillian" humor: ethnic, gay, and sex jokes, with language that might need explanation for younger viewers ("I shall take your virginity!" "You had to schtupp every little old lady in New York..."). The film also makes fun of a neurotic man's blanket fixation, Nazis/Hitler, prison, accountants, and actors ("Kill all ze actors!"). Since the movie is a satire, only kids old enough to recognize the movie's tongue in cheek references should see it.

Community Reviews

Mom_and_Son
Mom_and_Son Adult
February 10, 2009
age 11+

Mel Brooks on Broadway!!!

My best friend bought me this movie for my birthday and I'm glad that he did. It's funny and just a spectacular phenomenon. Probably one of the best movie-musicals ever made. Some references to sex, gay characters, and brief language but it's Mel Brooks so don't act suprised! Could have gotten away with a PG rating but still perverted in a Mel Brooks way.
Ghcool
Ghcool Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE PRODUCERS begins and ends with an odd couple, cynical Broadway producer/old ladies lothario Max Bialystock (Nathan Lane) and accountant/aspiring producer Leo Bloom (Matthew Broderick) in conjuring a surefire plan for profits: they will produce the worst show ever, collect lots of financing, and close it opening night. Written by and starring Franz Liebkind (Will Ferrell), "Springtime for Hitler" means to set the record straight on Der Führer. Or maybe not quite. When Liebkind breaks a leg on opening night, flaming director Roger De Bris (Gary Beach) steps in, and the show's a stupendous hit and the producers are ruined.

Is It Any Good?

Broad and blustery, the film version of Mel Brooks' musical, (not to be confused with the non-musical film on which the musical is based) is too long and too strained to be much fun. It's a big fat sardonic musical which demands grandeur, gaucheness, and above all, giddy delights. Director/choreographer Susan Stroman's Producers delivers these elements in seeming bulk, with gigantic gestures and broad blocking left over from the stage production.

The most romantic moment in the film is Leo's testimony at Max's trial. This love ballad reveals Broderick's lovely voice and sets the ground for the closing scene in prison. Here the boys are putting on another scam show, now having found their ideal milieu, not to mention a captive audience with terrible taste in set design. It's almost too bad that they are pardoned, for bringing "joy and laughter into the hearts of every murderer, rapist, and sex maniac in Sing Sing." That's something.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the nature of satire. How does the movie make humor out of crooks, Nazis and sex with old ladies? How can it get away with jokes based on homosexual and heterosexual stereotyping?

Movie Details

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