Hidden Movie Gem: “Hudson Hawk”
Today’s Hidden Movie Gem guest post comes from Jon Stark.
Movie Title: Hudson Hawk
Year: 1991
Writer: Story by Bruce Willis and Robert Craft. Screenplay by Steven E. deSouza and Daniel Waters
Lead Actors: Bruce Willis, Danny Aiello, Andie MacDowell, and James Coburn
Director: Michael Lehmann
Plot Summary: “A cat burglar is forced to steal Da Vinci works of art for a world domination plot.” — logline from IMDB. A New Jersey born thief, keen to go straight, is forced into one last job by a mixed up group of double crossing conspirators set on global domination in a caper that mixes fine art with swing and the quest for a perfect cup of cappuccino.
Why I Think This Movie Is A Hidden Gem: It’s unique and fun. Everything is over the top without being a spoof and the comedy, both intellectual and slapstick, is timeless. I have a version that was edited for TV so my youngest boys watched it with me and they thought it was hysterical, even though it was released more than a decade before they were born. It took the familiar tale of a loveable rogue, told you early on that you shouldn’t take anything seriously, and crafted a ridiculously fun world populated by unique characters. The dialogue, while far from profound, was well crafted and each character had a distinct voice.
This is probably an easier movie to watch today since the hype of its “failure” has died down and nobody is expecting it to be “Die Hard” anymore.
My Favorite Moment In The Movie: This is a movie about moments but I love the scene in the boardroom when Minerva is listening to her Walkman and singing, “I’ve Got the Power.” The character is incredibly obnoxious and Sandra Bernhard plays her to a T.
My Favorite Dialogue In the Movie: Hawk is in his bar, adjusting to the changes since being in prison, and has just made his second attempt to drink a cappuccino but the cup was broken by a shot from a silenced pistol. He goes over to a table of gangsters to investigate:
Hudson Hawk: Anthony Mario, Cesar Mario. I didn’t know the circus was in town.
Cesar Mario: So, Hawk, why won’t you do the Auction House?
Hudson Hawk: Call me superstitious, Cesar, but I don’t like committing a crime within 24 hours of getting out of the joint.
Cesar Mario: Come on, Hawk. It’s one night’s work, you take their thingy and put it in this thingy.
Hudson Hawk: Directions even your brother can understand.
Antony Mario: Yeah! Directions even I can understand…
Cesar Mario: [slaps Anthony on the shoulder] Shut up!
Key Things You Should Look For When Watching This Movie: Pairs. Hawk is shipped in a box twice. There’s a cut where somebody falls and lands in a chair in another scene that occurs twice. Hawk is restrained with electronic handcuffs twice. There are two Mayflowers. Andie MacDowell speaks to a crucifix twice. A fake ambulance is used for a kidnapping twice. A man rides a donkey twice. North by Northwest is referenced twice (art auction and character name).
Movie Trailer:
Favorite Scene:
Thanks, Jon! To show our gratitude for your guest post, here’s a dash of creative juju for you. Whoosh!
Tomorrow: Another Hidden Movie Gem!
Note: We filled up the month of October, so I don’t need any more guest posts. Thanks to everyone who participated!
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