Coens Be Praised: 'Hudsucker' May Be Last Film You Ever Need to See
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April 14.1994 - Sidelines, page 9 Coens be praised: 'Hudsucker' may be last film you ever need to see Jason T. Sparks Tim Robbins is Norville Barnes, senior writer the nebbish graduate of the Muncie College of Business who Norville Barnes arrives in has become the head of what may New York in 1958, looking for a be America's largest cor- job; he winds up in the mailroom poration—because he's far too of titanic Hudsucker Industries. dumb for the job. But the manic When the company's founder optimism that fueled Bob Roberts decides, during a monotonous and Griffin Mill also fuels Barnes; board meeting, to kill himself by he keeps relentlessly pushing his jumping out of a window, his evil invention—a circle. His only right-hand man Sidney J. explanation is that it's, "you Mussburger decides to set up a know...for kids!" It's rather the new, idiotic president so the "Rosebud" of the film, so I will not company's stock will drop in explain it here. value and he can buy the lot of it. Sidney Mussberger is played Herein is established the plot of by Paul Newman. Remember Joel & Ethan Coen's latest film, watching Jason Robards in "The Hudsucker Proxy." "Philadelphia" and thinking that And 1 am fighting hard to his character was Satan incarnate? keep from telling you that it is the Imagine how that would've been last film anyone will ever need to if he was still considered make. incredibly handsome. Newman The film, which the Coens plays the best kind of evil— have been trying to make for honeydripping, smooth evil. roughly seven years, exists in its Hudsucker Proxy: Norville Barnes beams as Board Chairman Sidney ). Mussberger (Paul Newman) Now, the plot gets fairly own complete universe. It is a makes him president of Hudsucker Industries in Warner Bros.' industrial fantasy "The Hudsucker visible around the middle third; world of boundless skyscrapers, Proxy." Barnes's ideas, despite being giant offices, cartoonishly busy Gilliam and the late Anton Furst, level as the building's clock; we Of course, all the brilliant sets stupid, work, and he becomes the mailrooms; it is the universe of who designed for the two see the shadow of its second hand in the world won't carry a film, toast of the business world. "Metropolis" and "Brazil," the "Batman" films. Mussburger's sweep down the walls every few and thafs not the case here; every Sidney's cunning plan is, of universe designed by Terry office, for instance, is on the same seconds. performance in the film is brilliant. (Please see Proxy, page 10) 5P r RESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS m fa/ ~\jrf~\y<~\y<~i\ji<~\yt&>&d 3?EED £KlND SUMMER Introducing EMPLOYMENT North American Van Lines is now a new accepting applications from col- lege students and staff for its power of Summer Fleet Program. Summer is the busy season in the moving industry, and we need attorney. your help to handle the load. We will teach you to safely operate an 18-wheel rig and load house- hold goods cargo - at no cost. We Legal Assistants pay your room and board while you're in training, Once you re- from ceive your Commercial Driver's SUMMER SCHOOL FOR PEOPLE Southeastern License, we'll pay you $425 per week, plus $ 125 per week living ON THEIR WAY TO THE TOP. Paralegal Institute. expenses, plus bonus. If you didn't sign up for ROTC as a By the tune you have graduated from To qualify, you must be 21 years old, have a good driving record, freshman or sophomore, you can still college, you'll have the credentials of and be available for training in catch up to your classmates by gp^a an Army officer. You'll also have May (the end of April would be attending Army ROTC Camp Chal- the self-confidence and discipline SOUTHEASTERN even better!) lenge, a paid six-week summer it takes to succeed in college and PARALEGAL Take a break from the c lassroom, course in leadership training. beyond. and make the most of your sum- INSTITUTE mer with North American Van Lines. We'll promise you an ad- DO ABA Approved i venture you'll never forget. ARMY ROTC 2416 21st Avenue South Call 1-800-348-2147, Opt. ZC-35. THE SMARTEST COLLEGE COURSE YOU UN TRIE. Nashville, Tennessee 37212 (615) 269-9900 For details, visit Room 5, Forrest Hall or call 898-2470 Toll Free 1-800-336-4457 northAmerican. .