Joel and Ethan Coen's visually distinctive film, The Hudsucker Proxy, a tribute to classic Hollywood comedies, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, making it a prime choice for a New Year's Eve rewatch. The 1994 film's blend of screwball humor and unique aesthetic continues to resonate with audiences.
The Coen brothers began writing the script for The Hudsucker Proxy in the early 1980s, drawing inspiration from filmmakers like Preston Sturgess and Frank Capra. However, their intent was not to parody these classics, but rather to create a film in the same spirit. Sam Raimi, who also co-wrote the script, makes a cameo appearance as a marketing executive.
Despite finishing the screenplay in 1985, the Coens, then indie directors, lacked the studio backing to bring their vision to life. The critical and commercial success of Barton Fink in 1991 ultimately led Warner Bros. to greenlight the project. Producer Joel Silver granted the brothers complete creative control, particularly over the film's final cut.
The film's narrative revolves around Norville Barnes, played by Tim Robbins, an ambitious graduate who secures a mailroom position at Hudsucker Industries. A surprising turn of events occurs when the company's founder, Waring Hudsucker, tragically falls to his death on the last day of December in 1958.
In a bid to manipulate the company’s stock, board member Sidney Mussburger, portrayed by Paul Newman, proposes a scheme to install an incompetent individual as president. Norville unwittingly enters the picture when he attempts to pitch a new product idea during a delivery to Mussburger. Mistakenly viewed as the perfect patsy, Norville is appointed to the position, setting the stage for the film's comedic chaos.
