Hudson Hawk (1991)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Michael Lehmann

Writers (WGA):

Bruce Willis (story) &
Robert Kraft (story) ...

Release Date:

24 May 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy

Tagline:

Catch the excitement. Catch the laughter. Catch the Hawk.

Plot:

A cat burglar is forced to steal Da Vinci works of art for a world domination plot.

Plot Keywords:

Horse | Invention From Da Vinci Plans | Box Office Flop | Brooklyn Bridge | Cult Favorite

Awards:

3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Bruce Willis	...	Eddie 'Hudson Hawk' Hawkins
Danny Aiello	...	Tommy Five-Tone
Andie MacDowell	...	Anna Baragli
James Coburn	...	George Kaplan
Richard E. Grant	...	Darwin Mayflower
Sandra Bernhard	...	Minerva Mayflower
Donald Burton	...	Alfred
Don Harvey	...	Snickers
David Caruso	...	Kit Kat
Andrew Bryniarski	...	Butterfinger
Lorraine Toussaint	...	Almond Joy
Burtt Harris	...	Gates
Frank Stallone	...	Cesar Mario
Carmine Zozzora	...	Antony Mario (as Carmine Zozorra)
Stefano Molinari	...	Leonardo Da Vinci (as Stephano Molinari)

Also Known As:

The Adventures of Hudson Hawk (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

100 min | Argentina:103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

CDS (digital 35 mm prints) | Dolby SR (analog 35 mm prints)

Certification:

Iceland:14 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Germany:16 | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | New Zealand:R | Canada:AA

Filming Locations:

American Falls, Niagara Falls, New York, USA

Company:

Ace Bone

Trivia:

Nintendo humor abounds in this movie. "New Jersey's third-largest crime family" is known as the Mario Brothers. Additionally, Hudson Hawk has been in prison so long he does not know what a Nintendo is.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Tommy is quizzing Hudson Hawk on song lengths, he asks "National Anthem, Whitney Houston - Super Bowl 17"? Whitney Houston sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl 25, not 17. Leslie Easterbrook (Callahan from the Police Academy movies) sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl 17.

Quotes:

Anna: I'm not a very good damsel in a dress, am I?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in A New Wave (2007)

Soundtrack:

MONA LISA

What The...

I'm torn on HUDSON HAWK. After watching it, part of me went, "What the hell was that?" But another part suggested that maybe I wasn't hip enough to "get" what it was trying to do. Part of me thought it was a completely ridiculous waste of time. Part of me thought it was just good, clean fun.

Though certainly not for everybody, there are enough redeeming qualities in HUDSON HAWK to avert its dismissal as a multimillion-dollar turkey. Bruce Willis is Eddie "Hudson Hawk" Hawkins, a cat burglar intent on retiring but who is forced to steal Da Vinci works of art for a (gasp!) world domination plot. Along for the ride are Tommy Five-Tone (Danny Aiello), mysterious nun Anna Baragli (Andie MacDowell) and conniving bad guy George Kaplan (recognize that name?) played by the late James Coburn.

The plot sounds like it could have made for a good DIE HARD-style caper, but director Michael Lehmann had other ideas. As he reveals in the DVD version's audio commentary, HUDSON HAWK was meant first and foremost as a comedy. Trouble is, it was promoted more as a Bruce Willis action blockbuster. Audiences were left scratching their heads as their favorite tough guy engaged in Stooge-like slapstick, sipped cappuccino and, most astoundingly, crooning Crosby classics.

Not that mistaken expectations are the only thing wrong here. Indeed HUDSON HAWK is simply too silly for its own good. The gags frequently fall flat, nearly embarrassing the talented performers involved. The plot is overly convoluted, and Richard E. Grant and Sandra Bernhard as the villainous Mayflowers are a bit hard to take. At its lowest points, you'll be astounded something like this could receive a theatrical release.

To get the most out of HUDSON HAWK, go in with an open mind. It's unlike anything you've seen before -- in both good and bad ways.