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We have taken some photos of "The Hudsucker Proxy". They represent actual movie quality.

• Exceptional Performance from Jennifer Jason Leigh posted on 28 Jul 2009

  Jennifer Jason Leigh's performance gave me a flashback to the character Hildy from His Girl Friday. The cinematography was also very sheik and the set design was great. I really liked this film. I'm also a very big Tim Robbins fan and loved him in Shawshank Redemption.

• Say buddy...! posted on 17 Jul 2009

  Fantastic!!! Brilliant script, brilliant performances, brilliant direction, brilliant score, brilliant production design!!! Did I mention how brilliant it is? My favorite Coen Bros. film. When are we going to get a proper DVD release of this film?

• no no no, actually it's HIS GIRL FRIDAY meets brazil ; ) posted on 14 Jul 2009

  sheer pleasure is watching paul newman growl & bulldoze his crusty way through scenes! :D and what enviable turns jjleigh's career's enjoyed in the 90's- playing that cuckoo film student in "the big picture", dorothy in "mrs. parker and the vicious circle", and her cracklin' roz "hildy johnson" russell homage here :) how can anyone Not be swept away by hudsucker's fantastic, heady achievement! :D vt

• Be Prepared for a Very Fun Movie posted on 14 Jul 2009

  The "Hudsucker Proxy" is without a doubt, very fun. With their first comedy since "Raising Arizona", the Coen Brothers create a highly stylistic film. In terms of this style, two adjectives come to mind to describe the whole feel of this film, surreal and comic book-like. I would go as far as saying that this film is the most stylistic of the Coen Brothers first six films, because these two adjectives (surreal and comic book-like) penetrate every angle, character, facial expression and word.
  
  Why you will like this movie: (No Major Spoilers)
  1.)Paul Newman (of "Cool Hand Luke", "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", a dozen other great films, and delicious "Newman's Own" food products) is in it.
  2.) Tim Robbins is in it.
  3) In the very beginning a man climbs his desk, runs and leaps to his death out of his office building.
  4.) There is a battle between good and evil (Newman's Henchman and the Clock Tower worker).
  
  5.) A hysterical scene of children mesmerized by a little boy using the Hula Hoop for the first time.
  
  6.) Fast talking New Yorkers.
  7.) Excellent movie sets.

• Not a Great Film, But Certainly a Lot of Fun! posted on 26 Jun 2009

  This film does not hold together as well as some of the Coen Brothers other films (notably "Fargo"), but it is amusing and leaves you with a good feeling. In other words, it is entertaining.

• In my opinion, this is a very underrated movie. posted on 10 Jun 2009

  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.

• So much love for a movie so in love with the movies! posted on 29 May 2009

  Here is a movie that has been born again, thanks I suppose to the miracle of digital video, or as bright exception--the rare revival screening. If you were lucky as me, to see it on the glorious big screen, then you may have realized this is one of the Coen's most beautiful efforts. Not to say it's as loving and multi-layered a pastiche as Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski, or, Miller's Crossing...and nothing compares to Fargo in depth of wit, and intelligent use of violence in . But there is so much to love in the Hud. One need'not have a personal knowledge of the cannon's of such estimable comic filmmaker's as Sturges, Capra, Hawks, Tashlin, MacKendrick, Farrow. You don't need to see Metropolis, or Citizen Kane, or dozens of other classics the Coens "rip off" explicitly. All good artists are brazen thieves, it's the ones who claim they're original you must look out for.The fact is, Hudsucker is a brilliant homage, and it's about time people learn to accept great entertainment at face value before they go looking for signifiers to everything. And is'not it about time for a Rediscovering of the pleasure of another brilliantly made divertimento of the Coens --Intollerable Cruelty?

• The best Coen film to date posted on 26 May 2009

  This film is a classic , it didn't find an audience at the box office as it was marketed very badly . Its simply one of the most imaginative and magical films made in the last 30 years , the Coens did a fantastic job and made me an instant fan . I first saw this film in 1995 and had never seen anything as quirky or creative , the Hudsucker Proxy simply has its own style and attitude . You instantly get pulled into the Coens world , a place where fate and karma are everything , a place where two janitors control time and space in a battle for the life and death of a former mail room flunky made good .A place where two taxi drivers with intestinal gas can read every human beings soul whilst giving an up to the minute commentary upon the action that ensues. Its an incredible film that just begs to be watched and enjoyed by all , if you fancy something different watchable and creative this is the ticket . The Hudsucker Proxy should be proclaimed as the Coens master work but unfortunately never will be as it was badly reviewed upon release and people don't forget , I simply believe that the critics didn't know what to make of it . All in all if you want to see a master class in creative and quirky with a hint of Buddhism then this is a must .

• OK comedy for casual viewing. Rent it, or buy it cheap. posted on 18 May 2009

  This is a light comedy good for casual viewing. I picked it up on suggestion from a friend. My cost to buy was about what I'd pay to rent it, so I just got it. It has its moments. If you don't set your expectations too high, you'll like it.

• plainly horrible, even embarrassing... posted on 14 May 2009

  There can be only 1 conclusion, The Coens are aliens from planet KzOrp and drugged mankind with a substance that makes people like, no love! their movies. Unfortunately, I must have been hibernating somewhere in a deep cave when they did so.I got annoyed by the boredom I felt watching The Big Lebowski, Fargo made me want to strangle newborn puppies and after 20 minutes of the rampaging not funny dialog in Hudsucker, I simply felt depressed.This is in-the-face parody at it's worst, everything is overdone from acting to scenery to story. I absolutely despise movies with Jim Carrey but compared to this movie, they are actually quite passable. You know which movie came to mind watching this? > The original Charly and the Chocolat factory. Mind you, that is a children's movie.Who in their right minds can endure movies like this? No character is likable for it is not a character but a cartoon-figure, every turn in this so called story can be seen coming miles away and slapstick really had its highpoint way before even my former life started.I live for humor, it's what keeps us going right? - a deep big sigh for completely failing to see how so many people find this amusing.1/10!

• Is it "style" or "substance?" Either way, one of the Coens' best. posted on 08 May 2009

  The critic Ebert has a review worth reading. Basically his "angel" tells him this ultimately stylish film, beautifully filmed and impeccably acted, deserves the highest rating, while his "devil" tells him it is all style and no substance, and deserves the very lowest rating, a "zero." So he compromises.To me, it is all "style" and no substance, and that's exactly what is called for. Highly entertaining look at corporate life, and what do you do if your company's stock is valued too high? Watch it and see.SPOILERS follow, you may decide that you want to read no further.The borad is meeting, the news is all good, the company's image has never been better, and the stock is at its highest ever. At precisely noon, Mr Hudsucker himself gets onto the long table, runs its length, and dives out the window, 30 seconds later he is on the street, dead. With no will and no heirs, the company rules say stock valued at his equity has to be sold on the open market beginning the next January 2nd after the death. As the next in line, expertly played by Paul Newman, he hatches a plan -- "if we get a "proxy" president who is incompetent, it will drive down the stock and we can pool our money to buy up 51%, to keep ordinary people out of our company."Robbins plays the recent graduate who isn't very assertive nor very bright, and it looks like their plan is working. He pushes the idea he had brought with him in his pocket from school, a simple circle. It became the hoola hoop, and the new rage made the company stock shoot up again. However, he gets discouraged, and at midnight New Year's eve he too jumps from the 44th floor office, but half-way down he stops in midair. The old clock-tender had stopped the machinery, and stopped time, activated once again, he fell to withing one foot of the street, when the clock stopped again. Then, when it started he simply fell one foot, rolled to the ground and was all right. Whimsical film, great entertainment.

• A great less-popular Coen brothers film posted on 27 Apr 2009

  The Movie:

  It's boffo, fab, the real deal and a steal at that. Norville Barnes (Robbins) plays a rube sucker (?) new to business in the big city who finds a job in the basement mailroom of Hudsucker Industries, Inc just as Waring Hudsucker, founder & CEO takes a swan-dive from the 44th floor (not counting the mezannine). In need of a dupe-CEO to depress the stock so they can suck up the Hud's shares, Executive Sid Mussberger (Newman) and the board install the Rube as CEO. But he's got a plan. You know, for kids! Amy Archer (Leigh) is the hard-nosed investigative reporter lookin' for a scoop.

  The movie itself rolls along really well. You have to stay on your toes to catch some of the best rapid-fire dialogue since The Big Sleep. Leigh, whom I usually despise, is excellent. All the stars really play the hell out of their roles. The Coens' writing and direction is top-drawer. All this and it's clean enough to watch with the kids!

  The DVD:

  There is really nothing but the movie here - no cast filmography, nocommentary, nada, except french dubbing if you want that. This is an older-style 2-sided DVD with standard on one side and widescreen on the other, which I find annoying. Despite other complaints I didn't see any profound problems with the transfer, but then again I'm just a film-lover, not a home theater freak. If you love this movie it's a good addition.

• the Coens' underrated, most underappreciated film! posted on 15 Apr 2009

  After a string of critically acclaimed films it seemed inevitable that the Coens would eventually get slammed by the critics at some point. The Hudsucker Proxy was that film. Criticized for unsuccessfully blending the sensibilities of Frank Capra and Preston Sturges and tagged with a title that the general public did not understand, the film disappeared quickly from theaters.

  It's too bad because there is a lot going on in this film. As always, it has the Coens flawless, stunning production values. This was the first film where the boys had a huge budget to play with and boy did they ever put every cent up on the screen. This is a fantastical version of New York City in the '50s -- think Terry Gilliam's Brazil but with all the nightmarish, Orwellian influences.

  The film also features the Coens trademark snappy dialogue. Lots of verbal acrobatics and a cast that is more than up for the task. Jennifer Jason Leigh is the stand-out as she morphs effortlessly into Katherine Hepburn with her rapid-fire delivery and very distinctive way of speaking. She is excellent. Tim Robbins, at first, seems like an unlikely guy to play a schlub, a dim-witted patsy. But then take a look at his career-defining performance in Bull Durham to see that the Coens knew exactly what they were doing when they cast him.

  Paul Newman is also wonderful as the evil Sidney J. Mussberger (love that name!) and he imparts just the right amount of comical menace.

  Fans of Sam Raimi will want to check this one out for two reasons. First, Sam's main man, Bruce Campbell has a significant role as Smitty, an ace reporter who is Leigh's foil throughout the film. It's great to see Campbell in a Coen bros. film -- I wish he'd be in more of 'em! Also, Raimi not only co-wrote the screenplay but he also did the bulk of the second unit work. Check out the famed hula hoop creation sequence. Sam directed that bit. He also has a cameo as one of the guys who thinks up the name Hula Hoop.

  This is a really great film that deserves a larger audience. Many people regard this as the Coens weakest film to date but I dunno 'bout that. I love watching this movie and I have fond memories of seeing it on the big screen.

  The DVD is fine with a solid transfer and good sound. Sadly, no real extras to speak of but it is definitely worth picking up if you're a fan of the Coens.

• One of the Great American Classics posted on 31 Mar 2009

  I first saw this oft overlooked gem of the early 90's while flipping through the channels on TV during a lazy Sunday afternoon. As usual, I'd been spending only a fleeting moment on each channel, but the mailroom scene was so bizzarre that I just HAD to figure out what the movie was. And I'm so glad I did.

  The Hudsucker Proxy is a fairly thinly disguised remake of How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, but that doesn't mean it lacks originality. In fact, this movie is so left of center for a mainstream release that I'm surprised it didn't receive more notice. The story centers around Norville Barnes, an enthusiastic young college graduate who's ready to seek his fortune in the late 1950's. Deterred by the experience requirements that he simply doesn't meet, he takes an entry-level job in the mailroom of Hudsucker Industries. When the president of the company commits suicide, Norville is promoted to the top in the hopes that an inexperienced helmsman will scare the shareholders into selling their stock so the board can buy a controlling interest in the company. Luckily, Norville has some bright ideas. You know... for kids.

  This is probably as close as I'm going to see to The Great American Movie in my lifetime. This film is acceptable for the entire family, has a hilarious and engaging plot, and seems to have been made with the best possible intentions. The acting is first rate, especially from Paul Newman as Sidney J. Mussburger (as genuinely bad guy) and Jennifer Jason Leigh as Amy Archer, a fast-talking career gal who thinks she's one of the boys.

  The DVD features leave quite a bit to be desired, the only one worth mentioning being the choice of screen size, but don't let that fool you. This is truly one of the undiscovered gems that's a great time for everybody.

• Mush posted on 15 Mar 2009

  Fitting together screwball-style verbal comedy with Jerry Lewis slapstick is a dangerous proposition, and this Coen Brothers comedy--an expensively stylized Joel Silver production--goes awry from the first scenes. Tim Robbins is a dimwit mailroom boy sent to the head of the class by a scheming executive (Paul Newman), and Jennifer Jason Leigh is the fast-talking reporter who smells a rat. For all the lavish set pieces, for all Carter Burwell's ingenuity with the march music of Aram Khatchaturian (copped from Billy Wilder's ONE, TWO, THREE), the movie has the clammy, Ph.D.-thesis feel of the Coens' MILLER'S CROSSING. Robbins condescends to his goofball character, and Jason Leigh tries on another of her garish accents; only Newman's wry, cigar-puffing understatement scores. (The movie rips off, or quotes, innumerable thirties and forties movies, most prominently MEET JOHN DOE and HIS GIRL FRIDAY.)

• A MUST See Movie posted on 06 Mar 2009

  This movie is like a unique Persian rug. The older it gets the more you realize how precious it is. I have seen this movie at least 100 times and every time I watch it, I find something new and funnier about it.The acting is perfect. The lines are great. The flow is magnificent. The only other movie I can recall where so much attention was given to the details, and the lines is Amadeus. This is one of those movies that people come to truly appreciate it as years go by. I read the box office for this movie, and it seems it made only $2 million at the box office ($40 million total budget production). If they release this movie today after 14 years I am confident it will be a hit at the box office.I am not going to spoil the movie for those who have not seen it yet except to tell you that if you are in a mood for a real comedy then you MUST see this movie.

• An uncompromisingly good movie! posted on 28 Feb 2009

  Most of the big movies that have come out in this decade have had this amazing quality: You have nothing more to say or think about the movie than you did when you first saw the 90 second trailer. (The example I'm thinking of is Independence Day). But the Coen Brothers (in contrast) reinvent themselves with every movie they make. If you never saw the credits, would you ever guess that Raising Arizona, The Hudsucker Proxy (I'll get to it in a second!), Fargo, and The Big Lebowski were made by the same team? Fargo and Lebowski, possibly. But the others? No way! It would make a person think that there are three or four extremely creative persons out there, where there are only Joel and Ethan Coen. The Hudsucker Proxy is the best example of thier versatility and inventiveness, not to mention their charming-yet-aggrivating reluctance to explain themselves. But for all the skill involved, there is only one thing to do -- watch, enjoy and laugh at every minute of this movie, knowing that there ARE a few people who just won't get it.

• A must-see for any serious film buff posted on 20 Jan 2009

  Like other users, I am shocked when I see negative reviews of this film... The characters are one-dimensional, but that is part of the charm of the film - the characters blend seemlessly with the imagery. It plays out like a fuzzy, spinning dream about the noir images of the big city. The Coen brothers were the perfect creative team to bring that to the screen, and the cast was perfectly chosen.I've got it on tape and watch it frequently - if you're thinking about watching it, you know my recommendation - just this word of advice: don't go into it looking for a life-changing experience or an insight into the dark soul of mankind (for that go to your priest, not the movies) - look for a charming story that will leave you with a grin on your face, and you will not be disappointed.

• An American Dream posted on 18 Jan 2009

  A next sweet story of a none made it hight on arrival in New York.
  
  Sometimes funny, sometimes tragic.
  
  Might be seen if none is to watch at all.

• Long Live the HUD! posted on 09 Jan 2009

  This movie features a brilliant storyline, and being directed by the same filmmakers who would later bring us 'The Big Lebowski', it was sure to please. The movies fast-paced style is a very pleasant change from the average fare on the market today. This is a movie to buy, because you will want to see it over and over again. My one complaint is that the DVD version doesn't provide any "extras", and as stated before the quality is only mediocre...I was definetly expecting more from this. But all-in-all, it is a must-have for your DVD collection!