A minor work, but confirmation of the Coens' position among America's most ambitious, able and exciting film-makers.
The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:37
Fresh:22
Rotten:15
Average Rating:6.3/10
Runtime: 1 hr 52 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: THE HUDSUCKER PROXY opens with a spectacular shot of snow falling over a beautiful city; the camera pans in slowly over the rooftops until it comes upon the Hudsucker Industries building, with a... THE HUDSUCKER PROXY opens with a spectacular shot of snow falling over a beautiful city; the camera pans in slowly over the rooftops until it comes upon the Hudsucker Industries building, with a huge clock about to ring in the New Year--and a man about to jump to his death. The rest of this hilarious Coen brothers film tells in flashback the fascinating tale of Norville Barnes and what brought him to that ledge. Tim Robbins stars as Barnes, a hick from Muncie, Indiana, intent on becoming a New York City executive. His timing is magical as he enters the doors of Hudsucker Industries just as the Hudsucker board determines it needs a patsy to run the company into the ground so it can buy up shares when the company goes public in a month. He hires Amy (the fast-talking Jennifer Jason Leigh) as his assistant--but unbeknownst to him, she is a reporter trying to expose him. THE HUDSUCKER PROXY is the Coen brothers' madcap romp through 1940s screwball comedy--albeit with a darker edge. The film is highlighted by sparkling art direction, fabulolus sets, snappy dialogue, and terrific supporting turns from Paul Newman, Charles Durning, and Bruce Campbell. Oh, and beware the Blue Letter.... [More]
Starring: Tim Robbins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Paul Newman, Charles Durning
Starring: Tim Robbins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Paul Newman, Charles Durning, John Mahoney, Jim True, Bill Cobbs, Bruce Campbell, Steve Buscemi
Director: Joel Coen
Director: Joel Coen
Producer: Ethan Coen
Reviews for The Hudsucker Proxy
While not to everyone's tastes, this is without doubt one of the most exhilarating films of 1994.
A jeering, dreamlike comedy with nothing much on its mind except how neat the Coen brothers are and how stupid or contemptible everybody else is, including everyone in the audience.
An impressive technical achievement--the period New York sets are to die for -- and its version of the invention of the hula-hoop is a comic highlight.
Nearly everything in the Coen brothers' latest and biggest film seems like a wizardly but artificial synthesis, leaving a hole in the middle where some emotion and humanity should be.
A pastiche of a comedy that lacks authenticity and identity, made of parts borrowed (or lifted) from Capra, Hawks, and Sturges, with Jennifer Jason Leigh paying tribute (in unsuccessful accent) to the actresses of yesteryear's screwball comedies
Criminally overlooked and sinfully wonderful Coen brothers comedy. Jennifer Jason Leigh is just flawless here.
[The Coens'] inventive style and the over-the-top performances from Robbins and Newman make this a feast for the eyes and a barrel of laughs.
A rare Coen Bros. misfire, never quite as nostalgic or clever as the dialogue or art direction imply.
Latest News for The Hudsucker Proxy
November 07, 2007:
Total Recall: Welcome to Coen Brothers Country
Before expanding wide on November 21, No Country for Old Men (90 percent) will play in select cities this Friday riding a wave of huge expectations. The Cormac McCarthy-based... More...
February 02, 2006:
Coens Aim to Tackle New "Country"
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Joel & Ethan Coen's next film will be an adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's "No Country for Old Men." Word is that Tommy Lee... More...
January 03, 2006:
'Dust in the Wind'…"Old School's" Patrick Cranshaw Passes Away
Patrick Cranshaw, the actor best known as Will Ferrell's elderly frat buddy Joseph "Blue" Palansky in 2003's "Old School," has passed away at the age of 86. More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 67% 67% | Public Enemies |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 95% 95% | The Cove |
| 85% 85% | World's Greatest Dad |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Hudsucker Proxy at Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

