Review of The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) by John C — 27 Jun 2011

All style and little substance. What the movie excels in visually is offset by the complete lack of any reality to the story or the characters. Everything is exaggerated for effect, caricatures of caricatures, and this is done intentionally as homage as well as for comedic effect. While there are some genuinely humorous moments, by and large it's a dark comedy with other-worldly infiltrations that are poorly executed. The result is a film that you can't take seriously because everything is so outlandish, yet you're consistently encouraged to look for deeper themes.

There are certainly ideas and themes that run through the movie. Circles for starters. Tied in near the first third of the film with the idea of Karma, various characters do seem to receive what they have sowed. Moments that seem designed to engender sympathy for characters (particularly the protagonist Norwell and the female interest Amy) never go anywhere or lead us to anything.

Is Norwell truly a genius or a buffoon? Is he an amazing inventor or simply the lucky recipient of a nation's interest in deceptively simple and inexpensive amusements? Is he a barometer for the American dream or American folly? Does he deserve to be crushed by the wheels of fate for his blinding ignorance and (eventual) vanity, or does he deserve to be rewarded for his inner goodness that can never be fully displaced by the trappings of success?

Intentionally, no doubt, the characters are one dimensional, their relationships equally so. Nobody is particularly sympathetic here. Everyone has skeletons in their closet they do or don't deal with.

What is Norwell a proxy for? The story line explains it fairly well that he is a proxy for the companies hopes, a stand-in to get a job done - albeit not the job he thinks it is. But towards the end of the film there is another dimension that is brought up, that Norwell is a proxy not for Hudsucker the company, but rather Hudsucker the man. Redemption is proffered. Good and evil or the fates battle it out for the soul (or the current life) of Norwell. Is it too late? Is it ever too late, if the wheel of death and rebirth is to be taken seriously in the film?

Ultimately, you end up not caring. It's fun to look at. There are some decent performances. But they can't carry the films uncertain directions and message. I've enjoyed several of the Coen brothers' films. But this isn't one of them. If memory of it's commercial success (or lack thereof) serves me correctly, I'm not alone in that disappointment.