The Producers
Gene Wilder’s brilliance didn’t simply come from being funny. Funny people are a dime a dozen. Wilder’s magnetism came from his ability to portray characters riding the edge of madness. People who are deeply repressed, who just need that free spirit partner to send them over the edge. Nowhere is this better exemplified than in his brilliant turn as Leo Bloom in The Producers. His magical rapport with Zero Mostel’s Max Bialystok comes from so much more than just being the straight man. Oscar terrifies Leo, and in every scene, he’s holding on for dear life to keep his composure. Wilder is selling this fear in every moment he’s onscreen. Through subtle looks, body contortions, and the occasional full-on meltdown, he makes Leo the narrative’s most spontaneous piece.
Brilliant Wilder performance aside, The Producers is a comedy classic in its own right. It brilliantly parodies the business side of art, while keeping the laughs coming a mile a minute. The musical version starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick is also a lot of fun, but nothing compares to original. To me, Wilder will always be the man behind the blue blanket. – Michael Fairbanks
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