The Hudsucker Proxy

This is one good looking movie and has many Coen recognisable signature quirks to make it worthy of a comparison to their earlier and later works. I will come back on those quirks later.

I love the way the Coens always combine high-brow subtlety with low-brow slapstick which makes it so accessible. This movie is not heavy on subtlety but there are some genius moments in it to make it watchable again and again. Newman for one is great in this movie and having the best of times. He makes minimal acting an artform. Really, he could act anyone of that screen with his eyes closed. Jennifer Jason Leigh is a contrast with her hand waving,her Katherine Hepburn- affected-ballsy way of speaking and general overacting but I guess she sets the scene quite brilliantly to complement the decor and general 30's feel of the movie. You see, apparently the Coens have a penchant for the 30's movies style(and so they should.. Many a great movie was made in that decade) but the story in which an imbecile's dingus, against all odds became a total Fad and all the rage, doesn't quite fit that decade. I can't think of any Dingus which became all the rage in the thirties (life was too hard for thingamabobs then, I suppose) and the earliest example, the hoolahoop, was definately a brainchild of the 50's (Life was good and spendable income to buy doodahs was more readily available ). I don't mind that at all but I was confused to find out that it was set in the 50's because of all the visual and audible references to the 30's. If Mussburgers office wasn't an art-deco Love-fest (that clock!)I don't know what is.

I guess this review is definitely style over content but you know what? That just doesn't matter because plot is secondary to the visuals, and dialogue in this movie. And that is just alright by me. It is the reason why these movies are so good for repeat viewings. Once you know a plot, you are not likely to watch it again just for the plot's sake. It is the sights, the sounds the dialogue that makes you want to watch a movie again and again. Oh you don't believe me? Name your favourite movie (not the one you tell your friends is your favourite but the one you watch again and again). What makes you want to watch it repeatedly? Is it because you want to know what happens for the 100th time? Ofcourse not! You want to watch it for the 100th time because of the dialogue, the fun, the special effects the object of your desire etc. etc...

Now I am not saying that plot is not important but I am saying that what makes Coen Brother's movies so good is that they think about their viewer/audience who wants to watch their movies until they can repeat every line in the movie(and becoming sad anoraks in the process). I actually know people who watched the Big Lebowski half way and walked out of the cinema only to find them Lebowski addicts after one more viewing. I am not naming names but you know who you are...

I liked this movie the first time round... I know I will love it later...

Now for the Coen parallels between this movie and the Big Lebowski:

Jennifer's way of speaking was similar to Julianne's Maud. They were both "feisty" Brunettes who fall for the main character(I wouldn't call 'em heroes)

The voice over to remind us that it is a fairytale at the beginning and end by guardian-angel-types. (Sam Elliot in Big and Bill Cobbs in the Hudsucker) Bizarre Dance Dream Sequences that have nothing to do with the plot but are hugely enjoyable. Blond Bombshell (Anna-Nicole Smith in Hudsucker and Tara Reid in the Big Lebowski)Who want to seduce the hero. Steve Buscemi. Memorable Lines...

So all in all I guess I recommend it!

****

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.

In 1994 The Hudsucker Proxy was released to indifferent reviews and failed box-office. It failed to get a single oscar nomination. After watching it several years ago, and again tonight, I can only come up with one question: Why? Everything in this movie clicks like the huge clock that towers over NYC from the Hudsucker building. Tim Robbins has rarely been better and provides a worthy successor to the clueless but ultimately endearing Capra heroes of the 30's, like Gary Cooper and Jimmy Stewart. Jennifer Jason Leigh, who has been so good in many movies, provides a winning cross between the professionalism of Rosalind Russel's character in His Girl Friday and the archetypal Katherine Hepburn character (she even gets the voice right!). Paul Newman makes an ideal villain, and Charles Durning has a memorable cameo. The cast is not even the best part. The movie is visually stunning (where were the cinematography and art direction oscars on this one?) and adds all the more to the storyline. The direction flawlessly invokes the madcap comedies of the 30's with a plot that is heavily influenced by Sturges and Capra but has some now-typical Coen twists in it as well. However, the best part is the screenplay. A true american original, it exceeds especially with the hula-hoop plotline. This movie flopped in' 94, but hey--so did Vertigo in '58 and The Magnificent Ambersons in '42. Some genius takes time to be appreciated--lets hope time appreciates this true Coen masterpiece. Makes a good double bill with the similarly screwball but more over-the-top Raising Arizona

The Coen Brothers broke some new ground with The Hudsucker Proxy. I had never seen populist films like the ones Frank Capra satirized so well since Preston Sturges did it in his golden years at Paramount. But Sturges was hemmed in by the Code and the Coens had far more freedom of expression to act.

The reason that this film is set in an idealized version of the Fifties so that a popular fad of a simple product could be worked into the plot as an integral part of the story line. With no more worlds to conquer after a report that his company Hudsucker Industries is richer than ever, President and founder Charles Durning takes a running start out of the board meeting and plunges 44 stories to his demise. A spectacular exit to say the least.

But it's left the board who are just yes men with a real problem. Durning owned 87% of the stock so his word was law. And his will specified within 30 days that 87% was to be put on the open market and sold to any and all on the Stock Exchange. That leaves these guys in a real jam.

But second in command Paul Newman has a Capra villain solution to the problem. Find the biggest schnook around and make him president and then the market will lose confidence and the stock value will crash and the inside boys can buy it up dirt cheap. The schnook Newman finds works in the mail-room at Hudsucker Industries, new employee Tim Robbins who's newly arrived from the Muncie Indiana College of Business.

Newman looks like he's having a great old time playing Sidney J. Musberger in the role Douglass Dumbrille would have had in those old Capra Films. Tim Robbins is the innocent Gary Cooper/Jimmy Stewart type Capra hero. Robbins is great, but if this had been done thirty years earlier Jerry Lewis would have been perfect casting. I'm sure if Jerry saw the film he'd think so too.

Playing the Jean Arthur/Barbara Stanwyck is Jennifer Jason Leigh who is appropriately a snoop and scoop Lois Lane reporter. But who could not resist a charming oaf as Robbins is?

Robbins does happen to invent a popular Fifties fad and Newman's plans are foiled, but eventually get back on track. If you are fans of those Frank Capra classics you know how this all turns out though the Coen Brothers used another popular fantasy film Stairway To Heaven for a surrealistic type ending.

I think the chance to see Paul Newman get a great comedy part like he finally did in Slap Shot and do some great work with it is reason enough to see The Hudsucker Proxy. And this review is dedicated to that canny observer of the American scene, Preston Sturges.

I cannot understand why this movie has not earned the respect it deserves. Norville Barnes represents high hopes and bright ideas, and when he starts out his intentions are pure. But when money makes him lose his focus, only love can put him back on the right track. Tim Robbins and Jennifer Jason Leigh are masterful in this movie, which is one of my personal favorites.