Watch The Hudsucker Proxy

In The Hudsucker Proxy, the Coen Brothers take the audience on a journey into the cut-throat world of big business in 1950s America. The story revolves around Norville Barnes (Tim Robbins), a naive but ambitious business school graduate who lands a job at Hudsucker Industries, a major corporation whose founder and CEO, Waring Hudsucker (Charles Durning), has recently committed suicide. Barnes is quickly promoted to company president due to Hudsucker's unethical board of directors’ plan to depress their own stock price, and bring Norville's invention, the Hula Hoop, to market.

Barnes is at first overawed by his new position and the opulence of the company's headquarters, but gradually becomes aware of the machinations of the board of directors, led by Sidney Mussburger (Paul Newman), who seek to manipulate the stock price of Hudsucker Industries by putting Barnes in charge. Mussburger, a ruthless executive who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, hires reporter Amy Archer (Jennifer Jason Leigh) to expose Barnes as a fraud, with the intention of overthrowing him and taking control of the company himself.

As Barnes becomes increasingly aware of the schemes being played out around him, he struggles to maintain his integrity and sense of purpose in the face of the brutal tactics employed by his rivals. Meanwhile, Archer becomes torn between her initial motivations for investigating Barnes and her growing feelings for him - leading to a dramatic showdown at the film’s climax.

Throughout the film, the Coen Brothers expertly balance elements of surrealism, satire, and film noir, creating a unique and memorable story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. From the sleek art deco design of the Hudsucker Industries headquarters to the over-the-top performances of the cast - particularly Newman's delightfully villainous turn - the film is a feast for the eyes and ears.

At its core, however, The Hudsucker Proxy is a film about the corrupting influence of power and the importance of staying true to oneself. As Barnes becomes more caught up in the world of big business, he risks losing sight of his core values and becoming just another pawn in the games of his more ruthless colleagues. Through his struggles and triumphs, the audience is reminded of the value of honesty, integrity, and individuality - qualities that are as relevant today as they were in the film's 1950s setting.

In all, The Hudsucker Proxy is a well-crafted, highly entertaining film that showcases the unique vision and irreverent humor of the Coen Brothers. With its memorable characters, inventive storyline, and impeccable production values, the film remains a beloved classic nearly three decades after its original release.

The Hudsucker Proxy is a 1994 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 53.