The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)

Featured Audience Ratings

• paul o

  
  Its a kid's coen brothers movie. Entertaining from beginning to the end with Tim Robbins playing a great role along with Paul Newman. Its not daring or bold, but its stylish and fun.

• Melvin W

  
  Norville: It's fun, it's healthy, it's good exercise. The kids will just love it. and we put a little sand inside to make the experience more pleasant.  "At Hudsucker's industry there's a fast way to the top... and an even faster way down!" The… More
  Norville: It's fun, it's healthy, it's good exercise. The kids will just love it. and we put a little sand inside to make the experience more pleasant.  "At Hudsucker's industry there's a fast way to the top... and an even faster way down!" The Hudsucker Proxy is one of the best screwball comedies you could ever wish to see. It's a movie that is so stupid, it's brilliant. The creative minds of Joel and Ethan Coen bring some of there dark themes to an overall light and hilarious film. The movie isn't Fargo or Barton Fink, but it isn't supposed to be. It's closest to Raising Arizona, when you look at there filmography, but it is even better. I am not ashamed to say that The Hudsucker Proxy is one of my favorite Coen films. Norville arrives in New York and takes a job as a basement mailman at Hudsucker Industries. As he is going in, the president of the company is jumping out. The company high ups now decide to make an imbecile the new president so that stock prices will plummet allowing them to buy them all at an extremely low price. So they hire Norville. Norville brings an overstated stupidity to the movie, along with an amazing idea for the company; mainly in a circle on a piece of paper. "You know... for the kids."  What I love most about The Hudsucker Proxy is what I love most about every Coen brothers film and that would be all the bizarre, random stuff that happens. This random stuff always seems like it isn't really progressing the story, but it always is. This film is as clear an indicator of the Coen style as any film they have ever made. It has all the bizarre characters like the elevator man Buzz and the fast talking journalist. It has dark themes like suicide covered up by all it's dumb humor. It has an all knowing narrator who works the Hudsucker clock. It is all brilliant and under-appreciated.  The Hudsucker Proxy is easily the Coen's most underrated film they have made. Most of their movies are adored by critics and the public alike, but somehow this one was not as well received. It's completely impossible for me to understand how someone can adore the Coen's and not love this movie. This movie is pure Joel and Ethan all the way.  Moses the Clock Man: And that's the story of how Norville Barnes climbed waaay up to the forty-fourth floor of the Hudsucker Buildling, and then fell all the way down but didn't quite squish hisself. You know, they say there was a man who jumped from the forty-FIFTH floor? But that's another story... 

• xGary X

  
  The self made head of a successful corporation commits suicide and its scheming board installs a naive young mail boy as a replacement to crash the stock price and buy it up at a bargain price. An appealing homage to screwball comedies of the 1940s, The Hudsucker Proxy is an early… More
  The self made head of a successful corporation commits suicide and its scheming board installs a naive young mail boy as a replacement to crash the stock price and buy it up at a bargain price. An appealing homage to screwball comedies of the 1940s, The Hudsucker Proxy is an early film from the Coen brothers and bears their hallmark combination of oddball characters and attractive imagery. Jennifer Jason Leigh bulldozes her way through her scenes impersonating Katherine Hepburn impersonating Lois Lane and Tim Robbins makes a likeable enough boob, but the real show stealer is Paul Newman's corporate shark who was clearly an influence on J. Jonah Jameson in Sam Raimi's Spiderman films and he electrifies the screen every time he appears. Unfortunately, plot is a little thin on the ground and its a little difficult to care about the skullduggery of corporate life but it definitely has a lot of offbeat charm and a few genuinely laugh out loud moments. One of the Coen's minor works, but still well worth the time.

• Conner R

  
  While I certainly believe it is one of the most idiotic movies ever made, it also happens to be extremely well done and hilarious. The jokes and gags are so overplayed that it becomes funny in another sort of way. Likewise, the performances are so completely offbeat and downright… More
  While I certainly believe it is one of the most idiotic movies ever made, it also happens to be extremely well done and hilarious. The jokes and gags are so overplayed that it becomes funny in another sort of way. Likewise, the performances are so completely offbeat and downright crazy that it sort've becomes brilliant. Paul Newman was a great touch and for me was the best element in the entire movie. Now saying all that, I don't think I could see myself re-watching it all that much because it's a lot to swallow and manage a lot of the time. It's sort of a blessing and a curse at the same time. However, this should be seen if nothing else for the great directing from Joel Coen.

• Anthony L

  
  An underrated Coen Brothers film, for me its definitely one of their funniest, assessable and stylish works. The performances are brilliant as our the over the top sets. It's one of their only 'family friendly' films, for adults and, you know, for kids! ;o)

• Gordon A

  
  Considered a lesser Coen effort, I personally love this surreal fantastical fable on capitalism. The sets are beautifully designed and it feels like a kinder 'Brazil'.

• Stephen M

  
  The Coen Brothers' tribute to '30s screwball comedies and '50s consumer faddism. When the president of Hudsucker Industries jumps off the 44th floor, the board of directors seeks to appoint an 'imbecile' as his replacement. The intention: to devalue their… More
  The Coen Brothers' tribute to '30s screwball comedies and '50s consumer faddism. When the president of Hudsucker Industries jumps off the 44th floor, the board of directors seeks to appoint an 'imbecile' as his replacement. The intention: to devalue their dearly departed founder's soon-to-be floated stock and snap it up themselves, for peanuts. Tim Robbins' ambitious innocent appears to fit the bill perfectly, but the board's plan goes awry when its puppet president's vanity project, the 'Hula Hoop', becomes a runaway success. Jennifer Jason Leigh's hard-boiled newshound and Robbins' good-natured patsy with a penchant for jumping off buildings immediately bring to mind Capra's <i>Meet John Doe</i>, but I found myself fondly recalling a host of other comedies along the way; everything from <i>His Girl Friday</i> to <i>The Producers</i>. Charles Durning's reappearance as a ukulele playing angel just about cancelled out my misgivings about the movie tipping over into outright fantasy toward the end. Not a great critical favourite, I actually prefer <I>The Hudsucker Proxy</I> to some of the Coens' acknowledged masterworks, perhaps because, besides all the trademark wordplay and boundless invention, this one's almost got a heart... almost!

• Chris W

  
  This is a flawed film (due to lack of sympathy for characters, style over substance, etc), which is why I'm giving it the rating I am (instead of the one I should), but still, even then, this is a great throwback to the old school screwball comedies of the 30' and 40's,… More
  This is a flawed film (due to lack of sympathy for characters, style over substance, etc), which is why I'm giving it the rating I am (instead of the one I should), but still, even then, this is a great throwback to the old school screwball comedies of the 30' and 40's, and a hilarious satire of big business, so that's why I'm recommending it. It might be light on substance, but visually it's amazing, and it's one of the most underrated Coen Brothers films to date.

• Aaron N

  
  Norville: You know...for kids. From the Coen brothers, who developed this story with their friend Sam Raimi, this is a 50s screwball comedy featuring fantastic production values, despite having a story that is less interesting than the look of the film. Tim Robbins stars as… More
  Norville: You know...for kids. From the Coen brothers, who developed this story with their friend Sam Raimi, this is a 50s screwball comedy featuring fantastic production values, despite having a story that is less interesting than the look of the film. Tim Robbins stars as Norville Barnes, a recently graduated college boy who has just come to New York from his rural hometown and wants to become a success with an idea that he carries around in his shoe. The same day he gets a new job at Hudsucker Industries, the founder/president of the company, Mr. Hudsucker, played by Charles Durning, has jumped off the 44th floor of the building, leaving the board members concerned with their stock. Hudsucker's former right-hand man, Sydney J. Mussburger, played by Paul Newman, decides the best idea is to hire a patsy as the new president in order to avoid a complicated stock problem. Guess who they hire? Problems arise however, when Norville's idea actually takes off and the business remains very successful. [Norville Barnes introduces the "extruded plastic dingus" to the board members] Board Member 1: What if you tire before it's done? Board Member 2: Does it have rules? Board Member 3: Can more than one play? Board Member 4: What makes you think it's a game? Board Member 3: Is it a game? Board Member 5: Will it break? Board Member 6: It better break eventually! Board Member 2: Is there an object? Board Member 1: What if you tire before it's done? While Norville tries to do his best as president, he must also deal with his secretary Amy Archer, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, who is actually a news reporter in secret as well as Mussburger looking to do what is best for the company and himself. As mentioned, it is not the story that is the highlight, this is style over substance. That being said the cast is just right. Robbins is very likable. Leigh is fitting by channeling female screwball comedy leads. And Newman is always pretty cool. The film also has several Coen regulars in cameos, as well as a part for Raimi's partner in crime Bruce Campbell. As also mentioned, the movie looks absolutely wonderful. Elaborate sets and sharp costumes make a wonderful 50s world that is helped out by the mix of fast-paced and Coen style dialog. A bit hollow in its story, but still an entertaining watch. Amy Archer: I used to think you were a swell guy. Well, to be honest, I thought you were an imbecile. But then I figured out you WERE a swell guy... A little slow, maybe, but a swell guy. Well, maybe you're not so slow, But you're not so swell either. And it looks like you're an imbecile after all!"

• Fernando Rafael Q

  
  Visually enchanting, terrific art direction and photography. The writing and directing are great. Tim Robbins and Paul Newman give very good performances. Jennifer Jason Leigh's was too over the top.

• Ken S

  
  His Girl Friday meets How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying with a hearty dash of it's a Wonderful Life

• Daniel H

  
  Perhaps the Coen's best film apart from "The Big Lebowski", the over-the-top cliched stylization of the 1950's almost seems an Orwellian science-fiction... a "Brazil" esque world unto it's own. Take every component of the 1950's (alcoholic… More
  Perhaps the Coen's best film apart from "The Big Lebowski", the over-the-top cliched stylization of the 1950's almost seems an Orwellian science-fiction... a "Brazil" esque world unto it's own. Take every component of the 1950's (alcoholic corporate types, Madison Avenue, fast-talking reporters, etc.), throw them in a blender and add the Coen's rich cinematography and captivating dialog (tongue-in-cheek overacting included)... and you have a classic.

• Lafe F

  
  Classic period piece in corporate New York with Tim Robbins running a company and creating a "Hula-Hoop" sensation. It's got an interesting feel to it.

• Curtis L

  
  Movie with very out of place humor that works great. Paul Newman rules.

• Jason S

  
  A good movie about a hoolahoop.

• Michael G

  
  Not great, but not bad. Lots of excellent performances and lots of fast talking.

• Dillon L

  
  Quite stylish, but offers little else. This is probably the Coen Brothers worst film. It's annoying, cheesy, and often times just flat out dumb, and the influence of Frank Capra is too obvious.

• Ryan M

  
  5.1/10 The Coen Brothers do indeed put some back into the production of "The Hudsucker Proxy", although the end result is much less entertaining, fun, inventive, and interesting than the majority of the Coen Brothers films. There was no doubt a solid amount of effort… More
  5.1/10 The Coen Brothers do indeed put some back into the production of "The Hudsucker Proxy", although the end result is much less entertaining, fun, inventive, and interesting than the majority of the Coen Brothers films. There was no doubt a solid amount of effort put into technical indulgence, but the plot is too muddled and too silly to really take seriously. I'm starting to think that there are times when the Coen Brothers don't know their place as cinematic masters. I still regard them as the former, but then they go along and make films like this. I do not deny its artistry visually, but the Brothers fail to conjure up a good enough story to please most of their die-hard fans. "The Hudsucker Proxy"...just isn't clever, and it isn't funny either. Sadly, it tries so desperately to be both of those things. This simply is not along the lines of "Blood Simple". It's more along the lines of "Raising Arizona", which from what I can remember was another partially disappointing lesser effort from the pair. Still, I do not like Joel and Ethan Coen any more or any less. It's just that sometimes, they tend to get lost in their style rather than their substance. This is just one of those times where neither can save the film from seeming longer than it actually is due to a lack of true, honest interest. I have been immersed in the Coen Brothers' films in the past, but not this time. While it has plenty of amusing, entertaining moments, it's too silly to be intellectual. And while being smart may not have been the intent of the Brothers, it's not acceptable for them to lack the element of surprise. But then again, they have never failed to amaze with their technical craft. And now is not a good time to start. A middle-class, College Graduate named Norville Barnes becomes a mail-clerk for Hudsucker Industries, one of the largest manufacturing companies in the world. He takes a surprisingly large step up when the current President of the company abruptly commits suicide by jumping out a large window and falling down to his demise. Norville is chosen to be the new President after the chairmen decide to treat him as a sort of "proxy", in order to raise stocks. Norville unassumingly goes along with it quite some time, from the beginning to the invention of the Hula Hoop. But one day, we've all got to come to terms with our destiny. Norville faces public humiliation and many accuse him of stealing their own inventive ideas. He is known publicly as an idiot, although he considers himself of high rank. And he's completely apathetic to how his words affect others, which is kind of supposed to make him a funny character but instead makes for a highly unlikable guy. "The Hudsucker Proxy" does not have a bad story on paper. Actually, on paper it might as well have been well written. But throw in goofiness and pretentious, unnecessary religious euphemisms, and you have yourself a pretty generic and manipulative film. Structurally, "The Hudsucker Proxy" is simple enough for anyone to follow, but that's what makes it less and less interesting as it goes on. On the brighter side of things, it has a nice look to it, but that's barely enough to make up for a lack of typical Coen Brothers ambition. The characters are not bad, and neither are the actors. Perhaps the film does not deserve their talents, but then again perhaps it does. The problem is that every one of them is too apathetic for you to really "feel" for any of them or relate to any of them in particular. Tim Robbins is supposed to be leading the film's cast, although his own work feels like a potboiler more than interesting. He's flamboyantly goofy, joyously dragging us along with his antics on-screen. Paul Newman isn't half bad, although he's too apathetic to pass as an interesting character. Jennifer Jason Leigh is pretty decent, although there is some part of me that thinks of her talent as nearly worthless in this film. On the bright side, there are some smartly placed cameo appearances by Jon Polito, John Goodman, Sam Raimi, and Charles Durning. And there are a couple appearances by Bruce Campell. Go, Ash! I admired the visual style of the film. The Coen Brothers obviously spent a lot of time in that ever-so-important visual department. After all, a film has to look good, right? To be honest, I think a film should be visually interesting, but that doesn't excuse it from a lack of ambition. I did not particularly like "The Hudsucker Proxy" because it focuses way too much on how it looks rather than how it tells its story and presents its apathetic characters. Everything seems to be played for satire; nothing seems particularly serious. But what the Brothers get out of pushing every other important aspect of the film aside is some interesting camera angles and nice production values, but as you can guess, it all comes at a cost. That's not to say that "The Hudsucker Proxy" was a bad movie; I'm just saying that I didn't like it. Another thing I took the time to notice was the score, which was pretty solid and fit in with what the movie wanted to be. In the end, it's nearly an art house. The only thing stopping it from being so is its silliness and lack of humor, and the only thing that could have prevented that would be a different film. The reason why it kind of had to be this way is because the Coen Brothers are all for satire when it comes to these sorts of premises. But that doesn't mean they can master every one. They have succeeded before, but not this time. This time they have disappointed me, but not incredibly. I do not believe that the Brothers can make a particularly bad film in their time as filmmakers. Color me sort of disappointed; "The Hudsucker Proxy" just didn't do it for me. There's heart put into it visually, but otherwise it's a bit of a disappointment. What really sucks is that it could have been funnier and much more awesome. Another disappointing aspect is that it could have used both the directors' and the actors' talent to their best ability, although the film fails to do so. I do not blame the men behind the cameras because Joel and Ethan Coen are still some of my favorite filmmakers of all time, and their few flaws make them so. After all, it's boring to be entirely perfect, sometimes; especially when you're a filmmaker. However, that does not mean that these disappointments will go unexcused; therefore "The Hudsucker Proxy" is still kind of unfulfilling despite the so much better movies that the Coen Brothers have directed in the past (and the future). I can not recommend this movie to you, although if you must see everything that the duo have directed, then here's another one to add to your mental movie queue.

• Alec B

  
  Its an unfairly lost and misunderstood Coen Brothers comedy. Its a sort of dark version of a Frank Capra movie and the Coens brilliantly balance the "American Parable" story with the more disturbing comedic elements.

• Stephen E

  
  It may be too eccentric and raving even for the Coen brothers, but "The Hudsucker Proxy" is actually quite a lot of fun. There is marvelous set and costume design, exuberant cinematography, wondrous editing, and a glut of hilarious performances. The direction is clever, the… More
  It may be too eccentric and raving even for the Coen brothers, but "The Hudsucker Proxy" is actually quite a lot of fun. There is marvelous set and costume design, exuberant cinematography, wondrous editing, and a glut of hilarious performances. The direction is clever, the writing is snappy and quick, and the entire film is soaked in style from beginning to end.

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