The Music Man (2003)

We absolutely adore this movie. Since we purchased this movie in 2003, my wife, children and I have been able to sit down and actually all four of us enjoy it together. We have two daughters (ages 12 and 13 now) and it is great to have the opportunity to not have to worry about the content of what they are watching. We all definitely recommend it. Additionally, we find that personally Matthew Broderick has had his best performance since "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". Sadly, we haven't seen the Broadway performance, but we all have enjoyed this movie countless times through the years and look forward to each time we put it in. Finally, the supporting cast is outstanding as well. Kristin Chenoweth and Molly Shannon are definitely worth seeing. Surprisingly, we were exceptionally pleased with Molly Shannons performance. Having primarily previously been exposed to her on "Saturday Night Live" (NBC), she displayed abilities that we were unaware she had- a plus. Definitely watch and enjoy this movie. It should be brought back every year, as either a broadcast event or on movie channels. It is one timeless watch!

I have liked Matthew Broderick in many of the roles he has played. But this role seemed far beyond him. He is mush and milk-toast. Something I hadn't expected of him. Never even approached the "Spell binding cymbal salesman' that Harold Hill is supposed to be. The remainder of the cast is fun and effervescent. Kristin Chenowyth is delightful and Molly Shannon is a hoot. Some of the dancing is a little modern, but fun. The look of the show was solid. I would rate this a 9 out of 10 if Hill had been played more fully and successfully. I had to fault not only Broderick but the Director for allowing the performance in the first place. The music is well presented. It is a fun show. If you have not seen other Harold Hills you might like Broderick's performance. But I was supremely disappointed.

This is truly one of the worst adaptations ever put on film. Could not have been more flat if they had tried to do it as a parody. Honestly, Helen Keller could have directed a better version than this. I worked with a man who was responsible for writing out the score for the original Broadway production. I spent a large part of my life studying this show and never thought it could be this bad. Not only did they butcher the script, the casting was completely wrong.In an interview, Molly Shannon described E.M. Shinn as a woman who had traveled the world and felt it was her duty to impart her knowledge on the community of River City. This is completely wrong. E.M. Shinn is a woman who has read every article in Ladies Home Journal about various places around the world and has imparted her knowledge as IF she had actually been to these places. This is why the Greecian Urn and Indian Language scenes are so hilarious, she has no clue of what she is talking about. That tells me that the Director did not do his job and research who the characters are. If you don't understand the character, you can't direct them in a film.I also agree with a previous reviewer about the racial issue in this film. On stage we have a commonly accepted practice of "blind casting." That does not translate as well to film, especially a period one. I also agree that Mrs. Paroo's accent is horrendous. I'm writing this review while listening to it again and I can't explain it. Someone should have sent her to Dublin for a week before filming. OR, better yet, hire any number of great Irish actresses who could live up to the legendary Pert Kelton who created the role.If you want to see what this show should be, watch the original Warner Bros. Production with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones. Preston had the perfect level of Suave and smoothness as a swindler. Jones' voice soars as Marion. Of course the rest of the cast shine under Mort De Costa's direction. The director of this horrible version should never be allowed near a camera again.

This is an awful remake of the original. The colors of everything, houses, clothing, etc. are all muted and subdued. The musical performances are OK but not as good as the original. Matthew Broderick gives us a truly uninspired and emotionless Harold Hill. I guess he thought he was doing a remake of a Buster Keaton film. As wonderful as Kristin Chenoweth as Marian Paroo is, she cannot save this turkey. The original is 100 times better than this piece of junk. I would rather jump into a swimming pool filled with double edged razor blades than watch this a second time. If you saw the original and you saw this one, like me, I think you would be upset at what they did to this beautiful work of art.