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The Hudsucker Proxy

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The Hudsucker Proxy

PG

Released Mar 11, 1994

1h 51m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Greedy executive Sidney J. Mussburger (Paul Newman) hopes to take control of the company he works for by purchasing a majority share -- but he must first devalue the stock. So he convinces the board to appoint know-nothing recent graduate Norville Barnes (Tim Robbins). But Mussburger's plot backfires when Barnes' latest invention succeeds, thereby increasing the company's value. Worse yet, undercover reporter Amy Archer (Jennifer Jason Leigh) has the scoop on Mussburger's shady dealings.

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Critics Consensus

Intriguingly strange and visually distinctive, The Hudsucker Proxy is ultimately almost -- but not quite -- as smart and absorbing as it needs to be.

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Tom Ryan

The Age (Australia)

What's wrong with The Hudsucker Proxy, though, is that, for all its craftsmanship it is an utterly soulless enterprise. The Coens wisely show no inclination to parody their sources here, but neither do they seem to have anything else in mind for them.

Rated: 2/4

Dec 22, 2021

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Adam Mars-Jones

Independent (UK)

It is possible to create something emotionally true out of second-hand ingredients, in fact that's what Hollywood does, but it isn't the Coen Brothers' strong point.

Nov 16, 2017

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: C

Sep 7, 2011

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a briskly-paced, incredibly stylish piece of work that fares best in its compelling and periodically enthralling first half...

Rated: 3/4

Dec 29, 2024

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Joan Juliet Buck

Vogue

The film doesn't have anything you'd recognize as content, but it is as precisely made as a wonderful machine, funny in a mode of zany giddiness, and boasts both a German expressionist sensibility and an angel who smokes a cigar.

Feb 29, 2024

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Jeff Simon

Buffalo News

There is more intelligence and inventiveness in any random five minutes of a film by Joel and Ethan Coen than you can find in an entire year's worth of movies from some studios I can think of.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 29, 2024

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Farah R

An unconventional period piece with just enough creativity to mask its peculiarity, The Hudsucker Proxy makes for an interesting watch. The sets and costumes beautifully depict 1950s New York, and the exaggerated performances and fast dialogue are reminiscent of movies of that era. Tim Robbins gives it his all, but the lines between whimsical and absurd are contanstly crossed.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/12/25

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Shay W

Do I like it? Sure, sure.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/01/24

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Landon J

A decent period drama. Pretty uninteresting and predictable though. Bruce Campbell is in it, so there's that going for it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

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Mason M

I didn't expect to like this as much as I did, The Hudsucker Proxy is one of my favorites that I've seen from the Coen Brothers. This is visually stunning, and it's absolutely hilarious due to a great performance from Tim Robbins. The Hudsucker Proxy is a great time and perfect for if you need a good laugh.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/22/24

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joe d

Personally I think it's my favourite Coen Bros film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/22/24

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Tom F

I didn’t understand what the Coens were going for until Jennifer Jason Leigh’s character came in like a wrecking ball.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/13/24

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Joel Coen

Director

Ethan Coen

Director

Tim Robbins

Norville Barnes

Jennifer Jason Leigh

Amy Archer

Paul Newman

Sidney J. Mussburger

Charles Durning

Waring Hudsucker

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Synopsis

Greedy executive Sidney J. Mussburger (Paul Newman) hopes to take control of the company he works for by purchasing a majority share -- but he must first devalue the stock. So he convinces the board to appoint know-nothing recent graduate Norville Barnes (Tim Robbins). But Mussburger's plot backfires when Barnes' latest invention succeeds, thereby increasing the company's value. Worse yet, undercover reporter Amy Archer (Jennifer Jason Leigh) has the scoop on Mussburger's shady dealings.

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Producer: Ethan Coen
Screenwriter: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Sam Raimi
Distributor: Columbia TriStar Home Video, Laurenfilm S.A.
Production Co: Silver Pictures, Warner Brothers
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 11, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 24, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.1M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo, Dolby Digital

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