When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
morosco
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/10/04
#0When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/15/05 at 12:56pmHis lackluster performances in ODD COUPLE and on film in THE PRODUCERS makes it obvious that he's not even trying anymore. He used to be a talented guy. Now it just appears that he hasn't done any of his homework.
#1re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/15/05 at 12:59pmWas it just me who thought his Leo Bloom in clips from The Producers movie is the exact same person he played for Harold Hill in "The Music Man"?
#2re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/15/05 at 1:04pmI actually thought he was the one of the better parts of the film, and that he outshined Nathan Lane. It's funny, but too me it seems he's getting better with age. Granted, I never saw his Leo Bloom on the stage, so I have nothing to compare to, but His film interpretation was hysterical IMO.
"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#3re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/15/05 at 1:06pmWar Games
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Marquise
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/1/04
#4re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/15/05 at 1:12pm
Torch Song Trilogy 
Ferris Beuller's Day Off....
#5re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/15/05 at 1:22pmElection
"Smart! And into all those exotic mystiques -- The Kama Sutra and Chinese techniques. I hear she knows more than seventy-five. Call me tomorrow if you're still alive!"
iluvtheatertrash
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
#6re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/15/05 at 1:23pmHe was stellar in Election. While the movie itself left me a little.... speechless.... But he carried that movie, IMO.
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
NYC_or_Bust
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/8/05
#7re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/15/05 at 1:32pmI think I would get lazy about my "craft" if I were contracted at $100,000
I adore the black band holding on the Phantom's mask. ~ Jenna2
#8re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/15/05 at 2:15pm
"He was stellar in Election. While the movie itself left me a little.... speechless.... But he carried that movie, IMO."
And that was the whole point.
"Smart! And into all those exotic mystiques -- The Kama Sutra and Chinese techniques. I hear she knows more than seventy-five. Call me tomorrow if you're still alive!"
Joe Mike2
Understudy Joined: 12/17/05
#9re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/17/05 at 1:52amhe's wonderful in THE PRODUCERS. I haven't seen ODD COUPLE, but his performance in MUSIC MAN for TV a few years back was just lame. Talk about MISCASTING!!!
Theatreboy33
Broadway Star Joined: 5/19/03
#10re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/17/05 at 2:38amI feel terrible for Broderick, that he has suddenly become the whipping boy of the theatre community. First, people hate his Felix Unger because he's too much like Leo Bloom. Now, when he plays Bloom again, people say he can't do it. I havent seen the film yet, only the clips on movies.com, but I must say, he looks perfectly fine. His Bloom performance here isn't anything far off from the stage version. The voice, the big eyes, the awkwardness--it's all there. So what's the big deal?
#11re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/17/05 at 2:46am
Interesting question.
Matthew is a terrific character actor, imo, and easily my favorite performer in The Producers (2005 film). I can see how others might feel that he doesn't demonstrate enough range; of course, with such a distinct voice, I imagine he must have a hard time disappearing into roles that are completely different from one another.
Updated On: 12/17/05 at 02:46 AM
jaso_n
Stand-by Joined: 5/5/05
#12re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/17/05 at 9:29am
Was it just me who thought his Leo Bloom in clips from The Producers movie is the exact same person he played for Harold Hill in "The Music Man"?
__________________________________________
No it wasn't just you. I kinda thought they were the same person.
#13re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:06am
The day he started.
I'm exaggerating, but still-I never 'got' him.
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES
#14re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:08amI don't know... I never really liked Matthew Broderick. He always seemed to me to have just one expression... I hated his version of The Music Man (whose idea was THAT?) and from The Producers clips I've seen I don't think I'm going to like him in that either.
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#15re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:19am
Probably when he saw how people went crazy buying tickets to the Odd Couple. At that point he probably figured he could phone it in.
It might be better for the two of them to get a trial separation & appear in things themselves for a couple of years to get back on their individual feet again
Poster Emeritus
#16re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:29am
Matthew Broderick told you he stopped caring about his craft? Wonderful!
It's not the actor, it's the material. Doing THE ODD COUPLE and the PRODUCERS again (and again and again and again) leaves no room for growth or improvment. Time to move on.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#17re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:34amI have to agree with Jane 2. I never really "got him" either. He was charming as a kid in the Neil Simon comedies. As an adult I find him charmless and dull. He was adequate in THE PRODUCERS on stage. I found him forced and artificial in the film version. And a woefully pale imitation of the great Gene Wilder. I always felt Gary Beach and Roger Bart were the real shining stars of the stage play and I felt the same way after seeing the movie.
#18re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:34am
Don't forget :
The Foreigner - same schtick
The Music Man - the same
The Stepford Wives - the same
My guess, if he does Young Frankenstein (and I hope he doesn't ruin that too) it will be the same.
nickatnight
Understudy Joined: 3/13/04
#19re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:40am
what a totally lame thread. matthew has not stopped caring about his craft--that's a ridiculous blanket statement. he's been a solid member of our community for decades and has given Broadway some very, very fine performances in his short lifetime--from 'Brighton Beach' to 'The Producers' two decades later. besides, this 'what have you done for us lately' bull---- is so boring.
and, hey, if you don't feel a light was lit under his latest performance, perhaps the director could be just as easily at fault...ya never know the situation...
#20re: When did Matthew Broderick stop caring about his craft?
Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:42am
"Blanket Statement" is a blanket statement. But, what you have said holds some truth.
Once again, it is not Broderick as an actor, it is the pieces he chooses to do. The Odd Couple on Broadway?! Come on...how can anyone expect to take risks or bring something new to the table. THAT'S the "same old schtick".
#21New Question
Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:46am
NickatNight - You are right - we shouldn't be asking when he stopped caring about his craft - because we don't know if he did.
The more appropriate question is "When did Matthew Broderick become such a BAD ACTOR".
Happy now?
#22New Question
Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:49am
Still WRONG, South Fl Marc
"When did Matthew Broderick stop doing GOOD work"
It has nothing to do with him. It's the work. Clear now?
Updated On: 12/17/05 at 10:49 AM
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#23New Question
Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:55am
A five letter word explains why he came back to the stage version of The Producers, the movie version & The Odd Couple. The magic word is MONEY
The money was too good to pass up. He would not be the first actor who did something just for money & won't be the last. Maybe with Lane he is not getting movie offers & stage offers are not rolling in .
Just an opinion
Poster Emeritus
#24New Question
Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:57amThat is correct. The terrible, unnecessary revivals/remakes/adaptations pay the big $. So, as I have said, it's the work.
Videos