Plot
A naive business graduate is installed as president of a manufacturing company as part of a stock scam.
Release Year: 1994
Rating: 7.4/10 (40,158 voted)
Critic's Score: 53/100
Director:
Joel Coen
Stars: Tim Robbins, Paul Newman, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Storyline When Waring Hudsucker, head of hugely successful Hudsucker Industries, commits suicide, his board of directors, led by Sidney Mussberger, comes up with a brilliant plan to make a lot of money: appoint a moron to run the company. When the stock falls low enough, Sidney and friends can buy it up for pennies on the dollar, take over the company, and restore its fortunes. They choose idealistic Norville Barnes, who just started in the mail room. Norville is whacky enough to drive any company to ruin, but soon, tough reporter Amy Archer smells a rat and begins an undercover investigation of Hudsucker Industries.
Writers: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Cast: Tim Robbins
-
Norville Barnes
Jennifer Jason Leigh
-
Amy Archer
Paul Newman
-
Sidney J. Mussburger
Charles Durning
-
Waring Hudsucker
John Mahoney
-
Chief
Jim True-Frost
-
Buzz
(as Jim True)
Bill Cobbs
-
Moses
Bruce Campbell
-
Smitty
Harry Bugin
-
Aloysius
John Seitz
-
Benny
Joe Grifasi
-
Lou
Roy Brocksmith
-
Board Member
John Wylie
-
Board Member
I.M. Hobson
-
Board Member
Gary Allen
-
Board Member
Taglines:
They took him for a fall guy... but he threw them for a hoop.
Release Date: 11 March 1994
Filming Locations: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Box Office Details
Budget: $30,000,000
(estimated)
Opening Weekend: $104,490
(USA)
(13 March 1994)
(5 Screens)
Gross: $2,869,369
(USA)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
Dr. Hugo Bronfenbrenner, the psychiatrist who evaluated Norville for the board, was likely named after famous developmental psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner.
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers):
When the crossword editor asks about "a six letter word for a condition of the hypothalamus", Amy replies with "goiter". A goiter is a condition of the thyroid, not the hypothalamus.
Quotes:
[first lines]
Moses the Clock Man:
That's right. New York. Nineteen fifty eight.
User Review
"Long Live The Hud!"
Rating: 7/10
Another fascinating piece from the Coen Brothers, 'The Hudsucker Proxy'
is an homage to the films of the 1930s. From the grey faux-Gothic
cityscape to the over-the-top acting and rapid fire dialogue to the
subdued colors to the stark sets, this film hearkens back to an earlier
era of films.
The plot is simple enough. When company president Waring Hudsucker
commits suicide, the board of directors, led by the deliciously evil
Sidney J. Mussburger (Paul Newman) determines to devalue the stock by
putting a 'shmoe' in charge of the company so that when the late
Hudsucker's controlling interest in stock hits the market in 30 days,
Mussburger's cabal can snap it up on the cheap. Enter shmoe Norville
Barnes (Tim Robbins). Jennifer Jason Leigh is the newspaper reporter
who infiltrates Hudsucker Industries under the guise of secretary, and
is Barnes' love interest in the film.
Robbins performs more than adequately but is outshone by terrific
performances by Newman and, in particular, by Leigh, who absolutely
nails this role. Her saucy, lilt of the tongue is wonderful; she simply
oozes sensual sass, and all in the very decent parameters of decades
gone by in Hollywood.
Other highlights of the film include - the wonderful sets, where less
is more; the usual Coen cinematography, which makes the film a visual
delight above and beyond acting and plot; the clock (an unbilled role,
in a sense). Curious characters pop up and return – Buzz the Elevator
Operator, the Clock Maintainer, and many others. And, of course … that
clock!
As will all Coen brothers films, this one calls me to see it again, as
I always seem to discover new elements when watching their works for
the second, third, fourth times, and beyond. A very worthwhile film –
enjoy!
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