Review of Hudson Hawk (1991) by Stuart K — 27 Apr 2014

Directed by Michael Lehmann, who at the time was hot off the success of Heathers (1989), this action-comedy caper was co-conceived by it's star, who was able to get Die Hard producer Joel Silver to make it.

It seemed like a good idea at the time, but Silver was soon wishing he had passed it on, and despite it's reputation as a notorious flop, there is quite a bit to admire in it. Eddie Hawkins (Bruce Willis), has just been released from jail after a long stint, he's a master thief known as Hudson Hawk.

As soon as he's released from prison, Hudson finds himself being blackmailed by the Mafia and the CIA into doing a dangerous art heist with his old partner in crime Tommy "Five-Tone" Messina (Danny Aiello).

They head to Rome where they're to steal crystals which are inside some of Da Vinci's works, but they soon find out what they're needed for, and it's all part of a plan by Darwin Mayflower (Richard E.

Grant) and his wife Minerva (Sandra Bernhard), who are also in cahoots with CIA Chief George Kaplan (James Coburn). The tone and structure of the film comes across like a Blake Edwards film on acid, not much of it seems to make much sense, and it didn't help that it had a troubled production.

But, it's a film which isn't sure what it wants to be, but it does have some good set pieces and a great cast. Oh, and look out for Fred Elliott from Corrie.