Who DID invent the Hula Hoop?! (The Hudsucker Proxy (DVD))

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Product:	The Hudsucker Proxy (DVD)
Date:	17/01/04 (55 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fantastic script, cast, Direction

Disadvantages: underexposed...not a lot of people have heard of it!

Seeing as Dooyoo somehow swallowed this review yesterday during the downtime, I thought I'd better resubmit it!


Now this low key Coen Brothers film is one that I have been on the lookout for, for what seems like years! Last month I just happened to be in HMV and I spotted a solitary copy out of the corner of my eye, for a very pocket pleasing £4.99.

Anyway.... to the nitty gritty....

Released: 1994 by Universal Studios
Certificate: PG (in the UK)
Run Time: 106 minutes

Produced by: Ethan Coen
Directed by: Joel Coen
Written by: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, Sam Raimi

Cast:

Norville Barnes (Tim Robbins)
Amy Archer (Jennifer Jason Leigh)
Sidney J Mussberger (Paul Newman)
Waring Hudsucker (Charles Durning)
Chief Editor, Manhattan Argus (John Mahoney)
Moses the Clock Guy (Bill Cobbs)

Plot Outline:

Waring Hudsucker, head of corporate giant Hudsucker Industries, climbs onto the huge conference table during a board meeting (which incidentally is giveing GOOD news!) and takes a run and jump through the window! Falling 44 stories (not counting the mezzanine of course) to his death.

Of course, this was not a planned excursion, so there was no will as such laid out. As such, Hudsuckers majority share of the company is to be subject of a public sale.

Now this is where Vice-President Sidney J Mussberger starts hatching his plan.

If a complete moron is appointed to run the company, the price of the shares will plummet. Meaning the board of Directors can snap them up at a fraction of the price, sack the moron, and make a hefty profit!

Enter the moron......

Norville Barnes was fresh out of Business School, diploma in hand, expecting to walk straight in to a well paid job in the big city. Full of big ideas and aspirations, he stands patiently at the labour exchange, waiting patiently.

Boy, was he wrong! The only company wi
lling to take on somebody with his (lack of) experience was Hudsucker Industries,and evenat that, he had to start at the very bottom as a mail clerk!

As fate would have it, Norville is chosen to take a dreaded 'Red Letter' to Mussberger, just as the plot is being hatched.

Norville's appointment is all over the front pages of the New York newspapers, and young journalist Amy Archer smells something fishy. Seeing this as her big break, she sets about investigating the appointment. And, of course, the best way to find out would be by getting on the inside!

As head of the company Norville uses his power to push through the design and manufacture of his fantastic invention... the Hula Hoop! He throws everything the company has at this project, much to the delight of the board, who see it as a guaranteed failure. Or is it?

Will Mussberger and the board make a fortune?

Will Amy Archer get her big story?

If I write any more I'll give away far too much!


As with every other Coen Brothers film, the plot is complicated, but thankfully not to David Lynch proportions!

A tale with a good twist at the end....

My Opinion:

This is a beautifully crafted film from the offset. From the snow covered Manhattan at the start, to the, erm, snow covered Manhattan at the end!The Coen's knack for creating visually stunning, as well as hugely enjoyable films, is second to none, and this is definitely no exception.

The Hudsucker Proxy may be overshadowed slightly by more recent Coen Brothers masterpieces such as Fargo, but it truly is a great film in its own right.

The film moves very smoothly from scene to scene, although some may see it as a tad too linear. Personally, I feel this actually adds to the charm of the film, as it seems to mimic the wide-eyed innocence of Norville Barnes.

Tim Robbins, as usual, puts in an outstanding performance. He truly is a
versatile actor who can play it straight, as well as act the fool (even his performance is the somewhat dodgy 'Nothing To Lose' was outstanding!).

Jennifer Jason-Leigh hams it up to great effect as the hard-nosed, fast-talking reporter, who eventually lets her defences crumble.

Paul Newman is great as the sharp-suited villain, and clearly looked at the whole thing as a bit of fun. One of his rare not-so-serious roles, which he takes to so well, that it makes me wonder if it was written for him!

John Mahoney creates a good put-upon character as the Chief Editor at the Manhattan Argus (for whom Amy Archer is a reporter).

Special effects, although rare, are very fitting with the films storyline, and bordering on breathtaking. I shan't go into details as the best example is the end scene!

Definitely a film to recommend to anyone who enjoys a good old fashioned comedy, without all the obligatory smut and bad language that is always found in films thses days!

A true hidden gem.


Thanks for reading

Marc

Summary: