Good movie but grossly overrated

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Highly underrated comedy that gets better with repeat viewing. The verbal jousting and clever language is magnificent. A Coen Brothers film with a strong narrative arc, which is increasingly rare in their newer films. Particularly strong performances by Jennifer Jason Leigh and Paul Newman.

The Coen Brothers are hit and miss with me (I tend to have a preference more towards their comedy then their drama) but The Hudsucker Proxy is by far my favourite movie of theirs, a film which feels like it was tailor made for me. The Hudsucker Proxy takes place in its own unique universe; the acting style in the film is reminiscent of the 1930's yet the film is set in the 1950's. Likewise there appears to be a clash of fashion; the outfits are from the 30's yet the cars or the beatnik coffee house which Norvillie visits are unmistakably 1950's but I like this combination of two eras, two distinct time periods of Hollywood's golden age wrapped into one. The Hudsucker Proxy is a movie with so many layers and homage's to other movies (Sweet Smell of Success, Metropolis, The Apartment, The Producers, various Frank Capra movies); I'm sure with future viewings I will unlock even more secrets the movies holds. The Hudsucker Proxy is a love letter to anyone who loves the aesthetic of classic Hollywood movies with set designs to die for such as Paul Newman's office, an art deco fantasy land; yet the movie even injects some Terry Gilliam-esque cinematography with the scene in the mail room feeling like the world from 1985's Brazil. Likewise this is a movie of drawn out colours, mostly greys in what I feel is an attempt to emulate the appearance of black & white.What happened to Tim Robbins? He was on such a hot streak of films during the first half of the 90's, just after this he was in The Shawshank Redemption (one of the best two film streaks ever?); since then, not so much. The character of Norvillie Barnes is a Preston Sturges hero trapped in a Frank Capra story; although due to Robbin's resemblance to a young Orson Welles the character comes off to me as someone who has the look of Welles but has the personality of Gary Cooper; a young entrepreneurial go getter with a wide eyed innocence who is not fully in tune with reality, or at least hasn't been subjected to it yet. When he first arrives in New York and tries looking for a job, the word "experience" is plastered all over the frame, oh the reliability.Jennifer Jason Leigh is a revelation here; channelling Rosalind Russell, yet I can still detect elements of Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Stanywck and Jean Arthur in there. The coordination of her gestures is perfect and I'm also fascinated by her character dynamic in which she becomes insecure about her femininity or lack therefore off at Norville's comments of her trying to be one of the boys. Although it's never resolved, this still gives her character another layer of depth. Paul Newman on the other hand rarely ventured into comedy but he pulls of the cigar chomping, "you're fired!" type boss with ease.The film's combination of numerous elements from various genres is also carried over in its humour, from dry jokes to more overt, fast talking screwball antics. The gag with the circle drawn on the piece of paper followed by the uttering of "you know, for kids!" never gets old, even if the movie's poster somewhat spoils the joke. While the sequence detailing the creation and distribution of the Hula Hoop, I don't think I could you ask for a better fast paced quirky montage. Likewise the (almost literal) Deus Ex Machina ending could have easily come off as a copout but I feel is rescued from being so from the plot element of the blue letter; I completely forgot that even existed until the angel of Warren Hudsucker reminds a suicidal Norville about it; now that's a sign of an engaging film.

This movie is a blast in so many ways, yet it manages to loose grip of you a couple of times throughout. I don't know if it was the pace that was not right, or the story that didn't manage to keep it all together - either way, I often felt dragged out of the movie, waiting for it to grab a hold of me again.At its best, this movie is really creative and fun. There's so many good ideas put into this movie, like the variations on the circle design, the exaggerated characters and the visual design. Some of the "special" scenes, like one where a couple of older men comments upon a scene as we see it happening, or a ballet-like dream sequence, manage to feel as a natural part of the movie, despite being very odd in their nature. All of this makes for a memorable movie, that bears many re-watches.There are also some great performances in this, both by the leads and the bit players.

It fills me with really great satisfaction to see such an excellently made and acted movie. Every word, scene, prop, and symbol are perfectly blended into one great awesome package. It's incredibly funny, a as matter of fact it has one of the longest funny scenes I have ever seen in my life, and not a word is spoken in it. Kudos to everyone in this film, directing is amazing, the visualization magnificent. It's hilarious, yet thoughtful, morally uplifting, educational, proves a very valid point, and was released in 1994. I want to thank my friend for watching it with me immediately upon learning that I had not seen it before. Simply, wow and a whole lot of whohohohohohahahahahhaohohohoho!!!!!........