Hudson Hawk Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A freshly paroled cat burglar just wants a cappuccino, but instead gets blackmailed into stealing priceless artifacts to fuel a wacky world domination scheme involving a gold-making machine, all while singing show tunes and dodging the CIA.

🍿 Hudson Hawk: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Fresh Out of Prison

Eddie ‘Hudson Hawk’ Hawkins is released from prison, eager to enjoy a quiet life of cappuccinos. However, his parole officer immediately tries to rope him into another heist, and local mobsters pressure him even further, threatening his friend Tommy Five-Tone. Hawk reluctantly agrees to one last job.

The Sforza Heist and Betrayal

Hawk and Tommy successfully steal a bronze horse statue, timing their actions to the song ‘Swingin’ on a Star.’ However, Hawk is betrayed and the statue is stolen from him. He learns that the statue, the Sforza, contains a crystal shard, a piece of a machine invented by Leonardo da Vinci.

International Intrigue

Hawk finds himself embroiled in a plot involving the eccentric Darwin and Minerva Mayflower, who plan to use da Vinci’s machine to create gold and destroy the world’s economy. He meets Anna Baragli, a Vatican art expert, and is forced to work with a team of CIA agents codenamed after candy bars.

The Codex and The Louvre

The Mayflowers task Hawk with stealing da Vinci’s Codex from the Vatican and his flying machine from the Louvre, both of which contain pieces of the crystal. He pulls off the Codex heist, only to discover Anna is a Vatican operative. The CIA steals the flying machine, making Hawk irrelevant.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Hudson Hawk (Bruce Willis): A world-renowned cat burglar, just released from prison, who is forced into a series of heists against his will.
• Tommy Five-Tone (Danny Aiello): Hudson Hawk’s loyal best friend and partner-in-crime, who enthusiastically joins him in his capers.
• Anna Baragli (Andie MacDowell): A mysterious Vatican antiquities expert and undercover agent, who becomes Hudson Hawk’s love interest.
• Darwin Mayflower (Richard E. Grant): One half of the eccentric and villainous Mayflower couple, plotting world domination through alchemy.
• Minerva Mayflower (Sandra Bernhard): The other half of the Mayflower couple, equally eccentric and villainous, supporting her husband’s schemes.
• George Kaplan (James Coburn): A seasoned CIA veteran and former nemesis of Hudson Hawk, leading a team with hidden motives.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Hudson Hawk: “Cappuccino.” – Hudson Hawk’s constant craving for a cappuccino becomes a running gag, representing his desire for simple pleasures amidst the chaos.
• Darwin Mayflower: “Bunny! Ball ball!” – Darwin Mayflower exclaims this while using a tennis ball machine to launch balls for his dog Bunny, showcasing his eccentric and villainous nature.
• Hudson Hawk: “You won’t be attending that hat convention in July.” – Hawk delivers this darkly humorous line after Alfred the butler is decapitated, showcasing the film’s blend of slapstick and dark humor.
• Anna Baragli: “I got bored, so I saved myself!” – Anna says this when Hawk and Tommy arrive to rescue her, showing she can handle herself.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $65,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $17,218,080
• Worldwide Gross: $17,218,080

💥 Hudson Hawk Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘Hudson Hawk’ is a wild ride, and I get why it’s so divisive. I remember seeing it as a kid and being totally confused, but also kinda loving the craziness. Bruce Willis is having a blast, and the whole thing is so over-the-top it’s almost charming. The singing while robbing scenes are iconic, and Richard E. Grant and Sandra Bernhard are hilariously awful as the villains. Sure, the plot makes zero sense, and Andie MacDowell’s character is… well, there but it is one of those movies where you either get on board with the absurdity or you hate every second. I’m definitely in the ‘love it’ camp, even if it’s a guilty pleasure!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Bruce Willis’s comedic roles”
  • “Viewers who enjoy absurdist humor and over-the-top action”
  • “Those interested in heist movies with a unique twist”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Language”
  • “Suggestive themes”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “A bizarre and unfunny mess, Hudson Hawk squanders its talented cast on a nonsensical plot and grating humor. While it attempts to blend action, comedy, and heist elements, it fails to deliver on any front, resulting in a frustratingly disjointed and often irritating viewing experience.
• Variety: “Hudson Hawk is a misfire on nearly every level. The screenplay is convoluted, the humor falls flat, and the action sequences lack excitement. Bruce Willis’s smug performance is a particular disappointment, failing to inject the film with the charm and wit it desperately needs.
• RogerEbert.com: “It’s hard to believe how much talent was assembled for this movie, only to produce something so utterly devoid of wit, intelligence, or entertainment value. Hudson Hawk is a complete disaster, a cinematic train wreck that deserves its place among the worst films ever made.

Audience Reactions

Some viewers appreciate the film’s quirky humor and over-the-top performances.: The film has a dedicated cult following who enjoy the absurd storyline and Bruce Willis’s comedic performance.

The singing-while-robbing scenes are memorable and add to the movie’s unique style.: The musical heists are a creative and entertaining element that sets the film apart.

Overall Consensus: Hudson Hawk is a highly divisive film, with critics panning its nonsensical plot and grating humor, while a dedicated cult following appreciates its quirky style and over-the-top performances. It’s a love-it-or-hate-it experience.

Awards

1. Razzie Award (Worst Picture)- 1992
2. Razzie Award (Worst Screenplay)- 1992

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Bruce Willis received a story credit for ‘Hudson Hawk,’ marking his only attempt at screenwriting.”
• “The film’s original budget was $40 million, but it ballooned to $65 million due to production delays and creative differences.”
• “Isabella Rossellini and Maruschka Detmers were originally cast as Anna Baragli, but Andie MacDowell replaced them shortly before filming began.”

🖥️ How to Watch Hudson Hawk?

Hudson Hawk is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential broadcast options. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Hudson Hawk, you might like these similar films:

• Top Secret! (1984): Both films share a similar sense of absurdist humor and spoof genre conventions, creating a deliberately silly and over-the-top experience.
• The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988): Like Hudson Hawk, this film embraces a surreal and fantastical style with a mix of adventure and comedy, featuring over-the-top characters and scenarios.
• National Treasure (2004): Features a similar treasure hunt involving historical artifacts and quirky characters, though with a more serious and action-oriented approach.

🛒 Hudson Hawk Related Products

• Hudson Hawk [Blu-ray]: Own the cult classic on Blu-ray for the best possible viewing experience. Features include director’s commentary and behind-the-scenes footage.
• The Hudson Hawk Drinking Game Rules Mug: Show your love for the movie with this special mug.
• Hudson Hawk Movie Poster: A high-quality reprint of the original theatrical poster. Perfect for framing and displaying your love for this cult classic.
• Cappuccino Machine: Brew your own cappuccino at home. Enjoy a delicious cappuccino while re-watching ‘Hudson Hawk’.

🎧 Soundtrack

Hudson Hawk features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Hudson Hawk Theme” – performed by Dr. John
• “Swingin’ on a Star” – performed by Bing Crosby (performed by Bruce Willis & Danny Aiello)
• “Side by Side” – performed by Paul Anka (performed by Bruce Willis & Danny Aiello)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Hudson Hawk (NES) – Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN)

Ever wonder if the Hudson Hawk video game was as quirky as the movie? The Angry Video Game Nerd dives deep into the NES adaptation, and let’s just say, it’s a wild ride of frustration and laughs. You HAVE to see this!

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