Review of The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) by Tonypolito — 21 Aug 2010

The film's only recommendations are its rather interesting visuals and homages to the 1930s/1940s. Set pieces and scenes, quite well done, are completely under the influence of 1930s Art Deco and Bauhaus, as well as dark and dank German Expressionism interpretation of organizations as seen in films such as "1984," "Brazil" and Fritz Lang's "Metropolis.".

Costuming is also on-the-money, clearly sourced from 1940s stylings. And yet, for some reason, the Coen Brothers claim it's 1958 - and a portrait of President Eisenhower hangs on the office wall to back that up.

Tim Robbins is the childlike, just-off-the-bus mail room clerk that ends up CEO by mid-afternoon, thanks to the nefarious scheming of Chairman of the Board Paul Newman. Jennifer Jason Leigh plays the hard-bit investigative newspaper reporter determined to find out why such a nincompoop was put at the helm in the first place.

Based on the evidence in this film, Robbins really doesn't do nincompoop well. Leigh's bit plays poorly when she delivers a weak Katherine Hepburn accent and a snappy "His Girl Friday" demeanor - sans clever dialogue. Of course there's nothing wrong with Newman's delivery, but his role is more tangent than it is supporting, so there's not much of a package for him to deliver.

And there's no real storyline here worth mention; the viewer all but knows for sure, right out of the gate, that somehow this CEO moron is going to come out on top. Meanwhile the film just drags on and on, while the viewer keeps sopping up the cinematic eye candy.

RECOMMENDATION: The film certainly holds entertainment value for the viewer - but 98% of it can be experienced with the mute button on.