The Hudsucker Proxy

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The Hudsucker Proxy

PG

1994

1h 51m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

54 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Greedy executive Sidney J. Mussburger (Paul Newman) hopes to take control of the company he works for by purchasing a majority share -- but he must first devalue the stock. So he convinces the board to appoint know-nothing recent graduate Norville Barnes (Tim Robbins). But Mussburger's plot backfires when Barnes' latest invention succeeds, thereby increasing the company's value. Worse yet, undercover reporter Amy Archer (Jennifer Jason Leigh) has the scoop on Mussburger's shady dealings.

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Critics Consensus

Intriguingly strange and visually distinctive, The Hudsucker Proxy is ultimately almost -- but not quite -- as smart and absorbing as it needs to be.

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Adam Mars-Jones

Independent (UK)

Nov 16, 2017

It is possible to create something emotionally true out of second-hand ingredients, in fact that's what Hollywood does, but it isn't the Coen Brothers' strong point.

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

Nov 6, 2007

A visually arresting but emotionally uninvolving dark comedy.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Nov 6, 2007

A jeering, dreamlike comedy with nothing much on its mind except how neat the Coen brothers are and how stupid or contemptible everybody else is, including everyone in the audience.

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Mike Pearson

Denver Rocky Mountain News

Jun 18, 2026

"Hudsucker" puts a carnival spin on what happens when success corrupts otherwise decent men. Yet, as comedies go, it's not exactly a fun film. The tone veers wildly between pathos and giddy farce.

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Helen Metella

Edmonton Journal

Apr 15, 2026

2/4

The sumptuous sets may distract some viewers from the skimpy, mostly unfunny script, but the characters never catch up... Hudsucker Proxy is to snappy cinema what an assembly line is to personalized service.

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Michael Walsh

The Province (Vancouver)

Apr 14, 2026

2.5/4

Fantastic set decoration notwithstanding, The Hudsucker Proxy isn't about much of anything at all. And that's too bad because Jennifer Jason Leigh, cast in the Jean Arthur-Louis Lane girl reporter role, is a knockout.

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Ian S

@RT48225084 Oct 22, 2026

Lower tier Coen Bros. Throwback to the old screwball comedies. Hit and miss. Didn't hold my attention for the duration.

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Donna L

@RT10185791 Sep 13, 2026

I loved this movie. The acting was stellar. The story was classic. Not sure why more people aren't highly rating it. If you like Elf you will like this. When the owner of the company climbed up on the boardroom table and took off running I was hooked.

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Ryan D

@ryandizz Aug 27, 2026

Edward Scissor Hands meets Mr Deeds meets Batman(1989) meets Dick Tracy.. Great movie!

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Lily D

@LilyDog Jul 22, 2026

Forget all the "top critics" reviews. I come back to The Hudsucker Proxy every couple of years and find it very entertaining and rewatchable. It is quick, witty, fun & funny. Tim Robbins plays the perfect goober. Definitely worth a watch.

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S. N

@Darius0 Jul 20, 2026

Loved it! Instant classic. Tim Robbins was great. Movie has an all around somewhat surreal feel. When you get to Sam Raimi's segment, you can really feel he takes the wheel too, and it's my favorite part. The whole movie is definitely one of my favorites.

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prawnda S

@RT72497680 May 10, 2026

this movie has no shortage of great moments, but it overstays it's welcome. the point is made pretty early on, and while it's nostalgic and pretty funny, it also probably functions best as a highlight reel and especially so after you have seen the whole thing the first time. everyone does a great job but i can see why this wasnt popular if people paid to see it in theaters.

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Joel Coen

Director

Ethan Coen

Director

Tim Robbins

Norville Barnes

Jennifer Jason Leigh

Amy Archer

Paul Newman

Sidney J. Mussburger

Charles Durning

Waring Hudsucker

The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - Waring Hudsucker Quits

2:48

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The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - Mail Room Orientation

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The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - Single-Stitched Pants

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The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - Norville's Great Fall

2:18

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The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - Meeting the Shareholders

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The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - A Muncie Girl

2:57

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The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - The Hula Hoop Catches On

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The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - Looking for a Job

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The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - You Know, For Kids!

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The Hudsucker Proxy: Official Clip - Getting Off the Merry-Go-Round

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Synopsis

Greedy executive Sidney J. Mussburger (Paul Newman) hopes to take control of the company he works for by purchasing a majority share -- but he must first devalue the stock. So he convinces the board to appoint know-nothing recent graduate Norville Barnes (Tim Robbins). But Mussburger's plot backfires when Barnes' latest invention succeeds, thereby increasing the company's value. Worse yet, undercover reporter Amy Archer (Jennifer Jason Leigh) has the scoop on Mussburger's shady dealings.

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Producer: Ethan Coen
Screenwriter: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Sam Raimi
Distributor: Columbia TriStar Home Video, Laurenfilm S.A.
Production Co: Silver Pictures, Warner Brothers
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 11, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 24, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.1M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo, Dolby Digital

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