The setup for the movie is hilarious enough in and of itself. Max Bialystock's new accountant discovers that he raised $2000 more than it cost him to produce his latest show. A few brief moments later...

Bloom: It's absolutely amazing. But under the right circumstances, a producer could make more money with a flop than he could with a hit.

Bloom: Yes. Yes. It's quite possible. If he were certain the show would fail, a man could make a fortune.

Bialystock: Yes???

Bloom: Yes, what?

Bialystock: What you were saying. Keep talking.

Bialystock: But what if the play was a hit?

Bloom: Oh, you'd go to jail. If the play were a hit, you'd have to pay off the backers, and with so many backers there could never be enough profits to go around, get it?

Bialystock: Aha, aha, aha, aha, aha, aha!! So, in order for the scheme to work, we'd have to find a sure fire flop.

A new partnership is thus forged. Bialystock and Bloom set out to find the worst script and the worst director that they can find and then raise as much money as Bialystock's charms towards little old rich ladies can produce. For the script they find an awful one about Hitler, and for the director they find a horrible one in the flamboyantly gay Roger De Bris (Gary Beach) who sings to them "Keep It Gay."

However funny the plot-line may be, the real humor of the movie is found in the witty dialogue...

Bloom: It's simply a matter of creative accounting. Let us assume, just for the moment, that you are a dishonest man.

Bialystock: Assume away!

...and the hilarious antics and surprises laced throughout. For instance, my favorite surprise happened during a scene in which we see Bloom and Ulla making out for the first time behind a couch. We see Ulla come up for air and then disappear again. The same for Bloom. And then...a little old lady. HAHAHAHA! Absolutely hilarious and that is only one small example of the dozens, nay hundreds, of little nuggets of hilarity thrown into this production.

Broderick is great as the straight-laced accountant setting out to have a little fun for the first time in his life. His dependence upon his blanky gives his character the perfect peculiarity. However, it is Nathan Lane that really steals the show. He puts absolutely everything into this movie, with the possible exception of his own money. For, as he puts it, "There are two rules to being a producer. Rule Number One: Never put your own money into the show."

Bloom: And what is rule number two?

Bialystock: NEVER PUT YOUR OWN MONEY INTO THE SHOW!

This movie is also quite rich in its supporting cast. There are so many memorable and lovable characters, however I'd like to mention just one. Roger Bart is Carmen Ghia, the Director's Assistant (the Common Law Assistant as he introduces himself). He is flamboyantly gay and is so over-the-top that I couldn't stop laughing any time that he was on screen. He also delivers the funniest line in the whole movie: "Let me take your coats...and your hats...and your...swastikas."

Now I haven't seen the 1968 movie nor have I seen the Broadway Musical, which is a shame and I plan on rectifying both quite soon. However, I must say that for all of the laughs that this movie packs in, it has the added benefit of multiple takes and camera angles. I would absolutely love to see this live on Broadway. I think that it would have even more energy and be even more hilarious. As far as the movie version goes, it really is confined to a few stage-like sets which gives it the feel of a stage show rather than a movie.

If you want to laugh often, if not constantly for two hours, and come home feeling absolutely wonderful and happy, then see this movie!