The Hudsucker Proxy

PG

Released Mar 11, 1994

1h 51m

Comedy

List

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: C

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Cory Woodroof

For the Win (USA Today)

...The Hudsucker Proxy feels positively Capra-esque (well, a hair twisted on that ethos) as its the most loving homage the brothers made to the actual Golden Age films that inspired them...

Feb 22, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

Alec B

One of the Coen's best movies. They were given carte blanche and delivered a hilarious and truly oddball throwback. A real shame no one in the 90s appreciated what they were doing here. Robbins, Jason Leigh and the whole cast are just perfect in this.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/20/24

Full Review

Horror fan 4

I really enjoyed this screwball comedy. Tim Robbins and Jennifer Jason Leigh were a delight. Great cast and writing. Tim Treakle

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/17/24

Full Review

Test T

I watched this on DVD recently. The satirical commentary this film makes about capitalism in western society is delightfully insightful. I found many of the scenes to be extrelely witty and an absolute pleasure to watch. The force of cynicism is almost overpowering throughout, which makes it extremely entertaining. It's not perfect thought, and between the frequent moments of comedic genius there are a few transitionsl scenes to endure, but these are mostly of little consequence. Over all it's really good, and I have no problems recommending it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/28/24

Full Review

Jerod S

The Coen brothers make the story of the hula hoop and big business weird and creative. But Tim Robbins and Jason-Leigh are given such an odd piece that I couldn't get into it.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/11/24

Full Review

Mark R

So much fun. An all-time favourite.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/08/24

Full Review

120lightsaber

One of the most underrated films of all time. You either Love it or Hate it and this film is a nostalgic fun film full of laughs and drama. It should have been an Epic Classic but has been totally forgotten by most.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Joel Coen

Director

Ethan Coen

Director

Tim Robbins

Norville Barnes

Jennifer Jason Leigh

Amy Archer

Paul Newman

Sidney J. Mussburger

Charles Durning

Waring Hudsucker

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - Waring Hudsucker Quits

2:48

The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - Mail Room Orientation

3:12

The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - Single-Stitched Pants

2:38

The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - Norville's Great Fall

2:18

The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - Meeting the Shareholders

1:31

The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - A Muncie Girl

2:57

The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - The Hula Hoop Catches On

2:05

The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - Looking for a Job

1:13

The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - You Know, For Kids!

1:54

The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - Getting Off the Merry-Go-Round

2:07

View more videos

The Man Who Knew Too Little

37%

69%

The Man Who Knew Too Little

Airborne

31%

60%

Airborne

Police Academy: Mission to Moscow

0%

22%

Police Academy: Mission to Moscow

It Takes Two

8%

60%

It Takes Two

TRAILER

for It Takes Two

Major League II

5%

44%

Major League II

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Happy New Year! 20 Big Screen Celebrations to Ring in 2017

Total Recall: Welcome to Coen Brothers Country

Feast Your Eyes On New "Slither" Pics

View more photos

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: Warner Brothers, Silver Pictures
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

Most Popular at Home Now