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The Hudsucker Proxy

Play trailer Poster for The Hudsucker Proxy PG Released Mar 11, 1994 1h 51m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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64% Tomatometer 53 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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The Hudsucker Proxy

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 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 Matt Brunson Film Frenzy An absolute (and underrated) delight. Rated: 3.5/4 Jun 21, 2025 Full Review 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 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C Funny in 1 hour and 51 minutes!!!!!! The USA grossed over $2,100,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/27/25 Full Review Tristan P. The Coen Brothers have made a lot of unique and memorable movies over the years, but this one has to be their most fascinating one by far, in my opinion. “Burn After Reading”, “Intolerable Cruelty”, “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”, “Barton Fink”, “Hail, Caesar”, “A Serious Man”, etc… are all underrated movies that they have made in their lifetime that don’t get talked about enough, but this one in particular is one that not everyone has ever heard of before or even seen before. And I think it needs more attention. This movie reminds me a lot of “Brazil” with its odd camera work and its strong production design and costumes. Even though “Brazil” takes place in the not-so-distant future and this film takes place in the late 1950s. Despite that, I still felt the influence during watching this movie. It still blows my mind that Warner Brothers actually took a risk on this film. And still to this day, it stands as the only Warner Brothers movie to be written and directed by the Coen Brothers. Tim Robbins is a very talented actor and is always very entertaining and funny when he is given the right material. And his performance in this film is just the right amount of funny and heartwarming. Jennifer Jason Leigh has always been an underrated actress, in my opinion. And she gives a pretty solid performance here, as a charismatic yet very strong wiled news reporter. All the other actors are great in this film, too. Paul Newman is a national treasure and for a good reason. And of course he deliverers a great performance as the big, mean boss of the company, and relishes every bit of it. Bruce Campbell is also really good in a very small role. Overall, this is a good movie and one that should be watched by more people and hardcore film fans. It is not a movie that will appeal to everyone, but it does need to be seen at least once. Especially if you are a Coen Brothers fan, like me. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/27/25 Full Review 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 Full Review Shay W Do I like it? Sure, sure. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/01/24 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews
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The Hudsucker Proxy

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Movie Info

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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