Mister Hula Hoop

I don`t think that I`ve enjoyed a movie so much for years. The film is beautifully shot ( the opening pan over a snow laden New York skyline is breathtaking). The acting is uniformly excellent (Jennifer Jason Lee gives one of the best female comedy performances of the last decade. She`s outstanding!) and the film is directed in that warm but sharp-eyed manner of previous US social comedy directors such as Frank Capra and Preston Sturgess. I first saw the film in the cinema. I`ve since seen it again on television, and the photography doesn`t impress so much on the small screen.

If you haven`t already seen it, try to see it on a big screen. Sadly the movie got a very small release in the UK and is almost unknown over here.I am so very glad I caught it. It`s terrific.

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.

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.

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.

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.