The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)

'The Hudsucker Proxy' is a unique film in many ways. It was the Coen Brother's first fully fledged studio movie; with a budget of around $40 million. It was a total flop at the box office; the film not finding an audience when it was released in 1994. It did not get the greatest critical response when it was released; despite a strong cast and many typical 'Coenesque' twists, turns and characters. And so, amongst such greats as 'Fargo', 'No Country for Old Men' and 'The Big Lebowski' in the genius siblings' back-catalogue, 'The Hudsucker Proxy' has mostly been forgotten; forever being put down as 'the Coen's failed attempt at a commercial movie'. *This said when generally forgetting the fact that 'No Country for Old Men' made $171.1 million on a $25 million budget in the commercial arena. But moving on from statistics, box office and the general (lack of) critical acclaim, 'The Hudsucker Proxy' is a funny, engaging and memorable gem of a film that holds up on repeat viewings. The cast includes: Tim Robbins as the naive lead protagonist sucked into the corrupt web of Hudsucker Industries, Jennifer Jason Leigh as a classic fast-talking career-girl reporter and the legendary Paul Newman as Sidney J. Mussburger; a high-powered, clever and extremely manipulative Hudsucker Industries board member. All the actors perform well; with Tim Robbins especially adding quite a depth, vulnerability and likeability to the central character of Norville Barns. The story follows the character of Norville Barns through his dramatic rise to the head of Hudsucker Industries and the subsequent consequences that ensue afterwards. These involve events such as a strange invention involving circles, "You know . . . for kids!" and the increasingly shady motives of the company's board. Many classical Hollywood references and influences can be found in the film: Jennifer Jason Leigh's character being a typical example of similar female leads found in the 1940s and 1950 - the film 'His Girl Friday' having a strong influence with the newsroom scenes. The overarching plot also has a very classic Hollywood feel in the romance and the conflict; the story being set around 1959. This could be seen as a negative however, with not much originality being found in the basic plot. The Coen's also cleverly disguise a gigantic deux ex machina with comedy and invention but the event still feels a bit forced (and too easy) in helping the story to its conclusion. Other noticeable influences include the Terry Gilliam film 'Brazil' in the design of the basement floor at Hudsucker Industries; providing for some great comedy and visual inventiveness. A typical Coen brother's theme of good versus evil is reflected cleverly in the two characters of the clock-fixer and the person whose job is to etch on and off the names on the office doors. These reference a more fantastical element to the film that, like many other Coen brother's movies, starts off in a sense of grounded reality and becomes more illusory as the story goes on. Overall, what elevates material so steeped in Hollywood tradition is the Coen brother's visual invention. It is both comedic - in the board-room attempted suicide and angel clock-tower sequences - and fantastical with the 'Brazil'esque basement scenes. The dialogue is also laced with wit and humour; a typical ingredient in the Coen's movies. So, 'The Hudsucker Proxy' is a film full of tributes to the classic Hollywood era of the 1940s and 1950s that helps to disguise quite a basic plot, but the story does also contain much comedy, wit and surprising heart brought by the performances. A worthy and entertaining addition to the Coen cannon. By Jack Cooper