It is possible to create something emotionally true out of second-hand ingredients, in fact that's what Hollywood does, but it isn't the Coen Brothers' strong point.

A visually arresting but emotionally uninvolving dark comedy.

A jeering, dreamlike comedy with nothing much on its mind except how neat the Coen brothers are and how stupid or contemptible everybody else is, including everyone in the audience.

"Hudsucker" puts a carnival spin on what happens when success corrupts otherwise decent men. Yet, as comedies go, it's not exactly a fun film. The tone veers wildly between pathos and giddy farce.