Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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 | |
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Harry Bugin | ... | Aloysius |
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John Seitz | ... | Benny |
Joe Grifasi | ... | Lou | |
Roy Brocksmith | ... | Board Member | |
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John Wylie | ... | Board Member |
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I.M. Hobson | ... | Board Member |
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Gary Allen | ... | Board Member |
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. Written by Reid Gagle
This film is frequently mentioned in college film classes for its interesting use of a door or window framing nearly every scene in the movie. I adore the art deco detail that encases the film from the doors, to the cars, to the clock machinery, it's a real beauty visually. There is something giddy and whimsical about watching it. I think critics of films are often scratching for a profound meaning when none is intended.
There is a particularly wonderful scene where an adorable little boy picks up the hoola-hoop for the first time and begins swinging it around his waist. I think I replayed the scene several times just for the expression of the boy's face.
Its theme song, Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia, was composed by Khachaturian. The theme song has a majestic, soaring orchestration that stays in your head for hours.