Hudson Hawk

Hudson Hawk is a 1991 American action comedy film directed by Michael Lehmann and starring Bruce Willis, Danny Aiello, and Andie MacDowell. The film was produced by Joel Silver and Bruce Willis and written by Steven E. de Souza and Daniel Waters. The movie features a mix of action film and comedy film elements, with Bruce Willis playing the lead role of a cat burglar.

Plot

The plot of the film revolves around Eddie Hawkins, a cat burglar played by Bruce Willis, who is released from Sing Sing Correctional Facility after serving a ten-year sentence. Eddie Hawkins is soon approached by Darwin Mayflower, played by Richard E. Grant, and his sister Minerva, played by Sandra Bernhard, who are art collectors and antique dealers. They hire Eddie Hawkins to steal three artworks, including a Leonardo da Vinci painting, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Vatican Museums in Vatican City. The heists are carried out with the help of Tommy Five-Tone, played by Danny Aiello, and Anna Baragli, played by Andie MacDowell, who works for the CIA and is an expert in art history and museum security. The team faces opposition from George Kaplan, played by James Coburn, a CIA operative who is also after the artworks.

Production

The production of the film was handled by Silver Pictures and TriStar Pictures, with Joel Silver and Bruce Willis serving as film producers. The film was directed by Michael Lehmann, who had previously worked on Heathers and Meet the Applegates. The screenplay was written by Steven E. de Souza and Daniel Waters, with Bruce Willis also contributing to the storyline. The film was shot on location in New York City, Rome, and Vatican City, with additional scenes filmed at Shepperton Studios in Surrey, England. The film's cinematography was handled by Dante Spinotti, who had previously worked on Manhunter and Rain Man.

Cast

The cast of the film includes Bruce Willis as Eddie Hawkins, Danny Aiello as Tommy Five-Tone, Andie MacDowell as Anna Baragli, Richard E. Grant as Darwin Mayflower, and Sandra Bernhard as Minerva Mayflower. The film also features James Coburn as George Kaplan, David Caruso as Kit Kat, and Lorraine Toussaint as Almond Joy. The cast includes a mix of experienced actors, such as Bruce Willis and James Coburn, as well as newer talent, like Andie MacDowell and David Caruso.

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from film critics, with some praising the action sequences and comedy elements, while others criticized the plot and character development. The film holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 28%, based on reviews from Roger Ebert, Gene Siskel, and other film critics. The film was also a commercial failure, grossing only $17.2 million at the box office against a budget of $40 million. Despite this, the film has developed a cult following over the years, with fans appreciating its unique blend of action and comedy.

Music

The film's soundtrack was composed by Michael Kamen and Robert Kraft, with additional music by Buddy Holly and The Drifters. The soundtrack features a mix of rock music, pop music, and jazz, with songs like Swing on Me and The Girl with the Sun in Her Hair. The film's score was well-received by music critics, with AllMusic praising the soundtrack's eclecticism and energy. The soundtrack was released on CD and cassette tape by Varèse Sarabande and has since become a collector's item among fans of the film and soundtrack collectors. Category:1990s action comedy films