The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)

Highly Recommended

USA/Germany/UK

Feature Film

Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Writers: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, Sam Raimi

Cinematographer: Roger Deakins

Composer: Carter Burwell

Cast: Tim Robbins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Paul Newman, Charles Durning, John Mahoney, Jim True-Frost, Bill Cobbs, Bruce Campbell, Harry Bugin

A hopelessly naïve small town business school graduate is promoted from the mailroom to the post of president of Hudsucker Industries, when its corrupt board determine to depress the stock in order to snap it all up for themselves, following the untimely suicide of the New York corporation’s former head, but their nefarious intentions are blunted considerably by the titular schlub’s big idea – you know, for kids! – The Hula Hoop, in the Coens’ generally hilarious, strangely affecting, and formally exhilarating homage to Frank Capra. Iain.Stott