The Hudsucker Proxy

The Hudsucker Proxy
Dvd Collection-Main Level - COMEDY HUD

Many people are familiar with the works of the Coen Brothers. Some of their earlier works are considered modern classics such as Fargo and Raising Arizona. More recently, they recieved much accolade for their film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men. However, their catalogue of films is rather large! While some say they experienced a drought of love for their films in the mid 2000s, during the nineties, they were just as prolific and created many lesser known gems.

The Hudsucker Proxy takes place during the year 1959. It is a period piece in many ways, but also takes into account film styles of the time. Some have said it takes on screwball comedy elements of films of the thirties, as well as the sentimentality of Frank Capra. The story follows a hopeful, naive business school graduate, Norville Barnes, played by Tim Robbins, as he makes his way through the big city at a large, behemoth of a company called Hudsucker Industries. While the story centers around Barnes, the board of directors of Hudsucker Industries are the true string-pullers, their actions revolving around a scheme to take a controlling share of the company.

The film has everything: intensity, drama, comedy, romance (with a "fast talking career girl"), deception, heart. And the sets and costume style is impeccable. Period accurate, but not taking itself as seriously as, say, Mad Men, which is set taking place just a couple of years later. A really great film for lovers of the Coen Brothers, but not a bad place to start for neophytes either!