The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)

Director:

Joel Coen

Writers:

Ethan Coen (written by) &
Joel Coen (written by) ...

Release Date:

11 March 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

Tagline:

A Comedy of Invention.

Plot:

A naive business graduate is installed as president of a manufacturing company as part of a stock scam.

Plot Keywords:

Deus Ex Machina | Suicide Attempt | Fall From Height | Dream Sequence | Reporter

Awards:

2 wins & 3 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. July 14

2:00 AM

HBO

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

Also Known As:

Hudsucker - Der große Sprung (Germany)

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

UK | Germany | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

France:U | Brazil:12 | South Korea:15 | Iceland:L | USA:PG (No. 32848) | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Chile:TE | Finland:K-10 | Germany:6 | Italy:T | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

Trivia:

Both products made by Norville Barnes (the Hula-Hoop, and the Frisbee) are products of the Wham-o company.

Goofs:

Continuity: The bottom of Norville's coffee cup is perfectly clean when he lifts it up, but it leaves a ring on the newspaper.

Quotes:

[Norville is running around the room with his foot stuck in a trash can, which is on fire]
Sidney J. Mussburger: Get out!
[Norville opens a window and tries to throw out burning items from the trash can]
Sidney J. Mussburger: Not that way! The door!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hot Fuzz (2007)

Soundtrack:

In A Sentimental Mood

This film gets better with each subsequent viewing

The first time I saw this film, I enjoyed it. No doubt about it.

I wondered why some people didn't like it. What's not to like?

I saw it again, and paid more attention to some of the finer details, realizing what a rich, full textured film it was.

And yet again I saw it. Still more revelations.

In fact, every time I see it, and I'm sure to see it again, I enjoy it more and more with each subsequent viewing.

This film's narrative is nearly as perfect as the Hula Hoop itself, despite the albeit fictional account of the invention of said "dingus".

But it strikes me as odd and unfortunate when I encounter someone who's seen this and not enjoyed it.

All I can say is, have you tried it more than once? It isn't exactly what I'd call an acquired taste, but when you see how rich in detail and humour it is, you may begin to appreciate it for what it truly is; a great film that deserves a second chance. K.