The Hudsucker Proxy Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A mailroom guy invents a circle, becomes CEO, dates a sassy reporter, and then almost splatters on the sidewalk thanks to corporate shenanigans.

🍿 The Hudsucker Proxy: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Fall of Hudsucker

December 1, 1958. Waring Hudsucker, head of Hudsucker Industries, dramatically leaps to his death from the 44th floor. Sidney Mussburger, a board member, seizes the opportunity to manipulate the company’s stock. With Hudsucker’s controlling shares about to be released, Mussburger aims to depress the stock price so the board can buy them cheaply.

Enter Norville Barnes

Mussburger devises a plan to install an obviously incompetent individual as president to drive down the stock. Enter Norville Barnes, a recent business school graduate from Muncie, Indiana, who starts in the mailroom. Norville is eager to share his ‘idea’ – a simple circle on a piece of paper – with anyone who will listen, but struggles to articulate it.

The Hula Hoop Phenomenon

Norville’s simple circle turns out to be the concept for the hula hoop, which becomes a massive success. This unexpectedly drives Hudsucker’s stock price sky-high, thwarting Mussburger’s initial plan. However, Mussburger schemes to discredit Norville and regain control, leading to a series of manipulative events.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Norville Barnes (Tim Robbins): A naive and idealistic business graduate who becomes the president of Hudsucker Industries as part of a corporate scheme.
• Sidney J. Mussburger (Paul Newman): The cunning and ruthless board member who orchestrates the plan to manipulate Hudsucker Industries’ stock.
• Amy Archer (Jennifer Jason Leigh): A tough and ambitious reporter who investigates Hudsucker Industries and becomes romantically involved with Norville.
• Waring Hudsucker (Charles Durning): The former head of Hudsucker Industries whose sudden death sets the story in motion.
• Moses (Bill Cobbs): The wise and benevolent clock keeper who offers guidance and a moral compass to Norville.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sidney J. Mussburger: ““For God’s sake, Hudsucker, you’re forty-seven years old! You’re the head of a two-billion dollar corporation! You’re not some office boy with his first million!”” – Mussburger berates Hudsucker for his reckless behavior before his death.
• Norville Barnes: ““I’m here about the future. I’m here about the uh, you know… the thing. For kids!”” – Norville awkwardly attempts to pitch his idea for the Hula Hoop.
• Amy Archer: ““So you’re from Muncie, huh? What’s Muncie like?”” – Amy, undercover, tries to gather information about Norville’s background.
• Moses: ““Time… it goes on… and on.”” – Moses, the clock keeper, speaks enigmatically about the nature of time, foreshadowing later events.
• Mail Room Orienter: “Incoming articles get a voucher, outgoing articles provide a voucher. Move any article without a voucher and they dock you!” – Mail Room Orienter giving orientation to Norville

💰Box Office

• Budget: $40,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $2,816,518
• Worldwide Gross: $2,816,518

💥 The Hudsucker Proxy Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adore The Hudsucker Proxy! The sets are incredible, the dialogue is snappy, and the performances are top-notch. I’m a big fan of old Hollywood and it really made me feel like I was watching a classic. The scene where Tim Robbins presents his ‘idea’ is so funny. It’s a movie that I can watch over and over again and still find something new to appreciate. The ending with the clock is wonderful.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Coen Brothers films”
  • “Viewers who appreciate stylized visuals and homages to classic comedies”
  • “Those interested in stories about corporate satire and social commentary”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suicide”
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Thematic elements of corporate greed and manipulation”

Professional Reviews

• Indiewire: “The Hudsucker Proxy, though a box office flop, is a visual feast. The Coen brothers combine slapstick with subtle social commentary, creating a film that is both funny and thought-provoking. Paul Newman shines as the villainous Mussberger, while Tim Robbins embodies the naive charm of a Capra hero. Jennifer Jason Leigh’s performance pays homage to the fast-talking dames of classic comedies.
• High on Films: “Set on New Years Eve, the Hudsucker Proxy is another facinating film from the Coen Brothers, ‘The Hudsucker Proxy’ is an homage to the films of the 1930s. This movie is funny, romantic, perverse, and whimsical. It says a lot that after years of not making movies, Paul Newman chose to make this one.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “A hyper-stylized homage to the comedies of the 1930s and 40s, Hudsucker Proxy boasts impressive visuals and a strong cast, but its quirky sensibility may not appeal to all viewers. Jennifer Jason Leigh’s saucy, lilt of the tongue is wonderful; she simply oozes sensual sass, and all in the very decent parameters of decades gone by in Hollywood.

Audience Reactions

The movie’s quirky humor and visual style are incredibly unique and memorable.: Most people agree that the film is a visually stunning homage to classic Hollywood comedies with stellar performances.

Jennifer Jason Leigh’s fast-talking performance is a standout.: Viewers often praise the film’s blend of comedy and social commentary.

Overall Consensus: The Hudsucker Proxy is a visually impressive, quirky comedy with strong performances that pays homage to classic Hollywood, though its unique style may not appeal to everyone.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The Coen brothers co-wrote the script with Sam Raimi, who also has a cameo in the film as one of the brainstorming Hudsucker employees during the Hula Hoop sequence.”
• “The film is heavily inspired by the screwball comedies of the 1930s and 1940s, particularly those directed by Frank Capra and Preston Sturges.”
• “The elaborate sets and production design aimed to create a stylized, almost cartoonish version of 1950s New York City.”
• “The film was a box office disappointment upon its initial release, despite its star-studded cast and the Coen brothers’ growing reputation.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Hudsucker Proxy?

As of October 2024, ‘The Hudsucker Proxy’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Hudsucker Proxy, you might like these similar films:

• Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936): Shares the theme of an innocent protagonist taking on corporate corruption, with a similar screwball comedy style.
• Brazil (1985): Visually imaginative and darkly comedic satire about bureaucracy and corporate dystopia
• His Girl Friday (1940): Features rapid-fire dialogue and a sharp, ambitious female reporter, much like Jennifer Jason Leigh’s character.
• Office Space (1999): Captures the absurdity and frustrations of corporate culture, with a focus on the mundane and the rebellious.
• Being There (1979): Features a simple-minded protagonist whose naivete is mistaken for brilliance, leading to unexpected success.

🛒 The Hudsucker Proxy Related Products

• The Hudsucker Proxy [Blu-ray]: A high-definition Blu-ray edition of the film, great for collectors and fans who want to experience the film’s stunning visuals in the best quality possible. This collectible version will enhance your appreciation for the Coen Brothers’ unique style.
• Hula Hoop: Hula Hoop. A replica of the famous Hula Hoop. The actual thing from the movie.
• The Coen Brothers Collection [DVD]: This box set includes several Coen Brothers films, including The Hudsucker Proxy. Enjoy hours of entertainment from one of the most celebrated filmmaking teams in history.
• Art Deco Poster: A poster that captures the Art Deco style of the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia” – performed by Aram Khachaturian
• “Memories Are Made of This” – performed by Peter Gallagher

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Does Bruce Campbell Know Lines From His Most Famous Movies?

Join Bruce Campbell as he tries to recall iconic lines from his most famous movies, including ‘The Hudsucker Proxy’! Get a glimpse behind the scenes and hear his thoughts on the film.

The Directors Who Mastered The Art Of The Minor Character

Explore the Coen Brothers’ mastery of minor characters with this insightful video. Discover their techniques and the impact these characters have on their films, including ‘The Hudsucker Proxy’.

You Know It’s the Coen Brothers IF…

Uncover the secrets behind the Coen Brothers’ filmmaking style! This video breaks down their signature techniques, giving you a deeper appreciation for their work, including ‘The Hudsucker Proxy’.

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