The Hudsucker Proxy

"Movies are, after all, about fakery; so is the story of Norville's rise and fall and redemption."—Caryn James, NEW YORK TIMES

THE HUDSUCKER PROXY opens with a spectacular shot of snow falling over a beautiful city; the camera pans in slowly over the rooftops until it comes upon the Hudsucker Industries building, with a huge clock about to ring in the New Year--and a man about to jump to his death. The rest of this hilarious Coen brothers film tells in flashback the fascinating tale of Norville Barnes and what brought him to that ledge. Tim Robbins stars as Barnes, a hick from Muncie, Indiana, intent on becoming a New York City executive. His timing is magical as he enters the doors of Hudsucker Industries just as the Hudsucker board determines it needs a patsy to run the company into the ground so it can buy up shares when the company goes public in a month. He hires Amy (the fast-talking Jennifer Jason Leigh) as his assistant--but unbeknownst to him, she is a reporter trying to expose him. THE HUDSUCKER PROXY is the Coen brothers' madcap romp through 1940s screwball comedy--albeit with a darker edge. The film is highlighted by sparkling art direction, fabulolus sets, snappy dialogue, and terrific supporting turns from Paul Newman, Charles Durning, and Bruce Campbell. Oh, and beware the Blue Letter....


UK/Germany/USA, 1994, 111 min, Rated PG, Directed by Joel Coen

The Wrestler

"THE WRESTLER is like ROCKY made by the Scorsese of MEAN STREETS. It’s the rare movie fairy tale that’s also a bravura work of art. A"—Owen Gleiberman, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

THE FOUNTAIN's Darren Aronofsky directs this drama about a past-his-prime wrestler who tries to regain his earlier fame. Mickey Rourke (SIN CITY) continues a career revival of his own as the fighter, while Oscar winner Marisa Tomei costars.

USA, 2008, 109 min, Rated R, Directed by Darren Aronofky

The Sting

"The film is so good-natured, so obviously aware of everything it's up to, even its own picturesque frauds, that I opt to go along with it."—Vincent Canby, NEW YORK TIMES

Hoping that box-office lighting might strike twice, George Roy Hill again joined forces with Paul Newman and Robert Redford, who star as con men Henry Gondorff and Johnny Hooker in THE STING. In the Chicago of the 1930s, Johnny's partner, Luther (Robert Earl Jones), is fatally wounded by a victim of one of their scams who turns out to be powerful syndicate boss Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). Eager for revenge, Johnny takes a tip from his dying partner and seeks out mutual friend Gondorff, a consummate master of the long con. Gondorff rouses himself from his alcoholic inertia and agrees to help Johnny take down the despicable Lonnegan, conscripting an army of grifters ready to avenge their friend's death. The labyrinthine plot, which is stuffed with false leads, red herrings, and a double-cross-a-minute, involves a fake bookie joint, a very persistent FBI agent, a bunch of corrupt cops, and one shifty dame. An extremely entertaining film, the Oscar-winning film transcends the genre through the superb acting of the three leads, the keen attention to the re-creation of period detail, and a fiendishly intricate script that cons audiences completely. The wonderful score, which became immensely popular, featured Marvin Hamlisch's orchestral transcriptions of Scott Joplin's piano rags; the film led to a revival of interest in the composer. The film is one of the most entertaining films of the 1970s and lives up to its hype on repeat viewings

This event is FREE to Enzian Film Society members! To join the Enzian Film Society click here. Anyone who signs up for a new membership at this event can deduct the price of their ticket from the cost of their membership.


USA, 1973, 129 min, Rated PG, Directed by George Roy Hill

Cool Hand Luke

"A tough, honest film with backbone."—Roger Ebert, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

In this classic Southern prison drama, social misfit Lucas "Luke" Jackson (Paul Newman) is incarcerated for a petty crime and sentenced to a chain gang. Luke is a sullen and laconic young man whose cool defiance of the sadistic warden and bullying inmates earns him the title "Cool Hand Luke." But as the prisoners' respect for Luke grows into hero worship, he finds that he must risk everything in order to live up to their expectations. Filled with dozens of memorable scenes (Luke eating 50 eggs) and quotable lines ("What we have here is a failure to communicate."), COOL HAND LUKE is a testament to excellent screenwriting (Donn Pearce and Frank Pierson) and Newman's charm and skill as an actor. The film also features an outstanding supporting cast that includes George Kennedy, Strother Martin, and early screen appearances by Dennis Hopper and Harry Dean Stanton.


USA, 1967, 126 min, Not Rated, Directed by Stuart Rosenberg

Sex, Lies and Videotape

"It is never boring, and there are moments when it reminds us of how sexy the movies used to be, back in the days when speech was an erogenous zone."—Robert Ebert, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

Steven Soderbergh explodes onto the scene with this provocative, intelligent drama about infidelity and voyeurism. Ann Milaney (Andie MacDowell) lives in a comfortable Louisiana home with her... Steven Soderbergh explodes onto the scene with this provocative, intelligent drama about infidelity and voyeurism. Ann Milaney (Andie MacDowell) lives in a comfortable Louisiana home with her lawyer husband, John (Peter Gallagher). She spends her days fretting over the insurmountable problems of the world and her own unfocused sense of melancholy. Although she doesn't know it, she has a good reason to be upset: John is having a torrid affair with her younger, more extroverted sister, Cynthia (the sexy Laura San Giacomo). When Graham Dalton (James Spader), an old college pal of John's, comes to visit, all three are momentarily distracted from personal problems and intrigues as they scrutinize the odd outsider. Ann soon discovers that Graham has some strange habits and problems of his own. Plagued by impotency since the calamitous breakup of his last relationship, the young drifter finds sexual gratification by videotaping women willing to talk about their sexual past and fantasies in front of the camera. A chain of attraction and jealousy develops as the four interconnect in several varied pairings, culminating with Ann's decision to become Graham's latest subject. Soderbergh's highly influential debut independent feature plays like a dangerous thriller that builds in tension until everyone's secrets are bitterly exposed.


USA, 1989, 100 min, Rated R, Directed by Steven Soderbergh

Planet of the Apes

"It is quickly paced, completely entertaining, and its philosophical pretensions don't get in the way."—Roger Ebert, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

Complex sociological themes run through this science-fiction classic, about three astronauts marooned on a futuristic planet where apes rule and humans are slaves. The stunned trio discovers that these highly intellectual simians can both walk upright and talk. They have even established a class system and a political structure. The astronauts suddenly find themselves part of a devalued species, trapped and imprisoned by the apes. But one, Taylor, manages to break out and, aided by a pair of compassionate chimps, makes his escape to an uninhabited section of land. However, during the trek Taylor makes a startling, unsettling discovery about the planet--and realizes he's come full circle. PLANET OF THE APES is based on the novel by Pierre Boulle with a screenplay co-written by Rod Serling.


USA, 1968, 112 min, Rated G, Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner

Note: All COMING SOON dates are not final and may be changed by Enzian Theater or the distributor at any time. Titles are solely meant as a potential listing of what may be upcoming at Enzian.

Regular Programming
General Admission $9.00, Matinees $7.00
Film Society Members $6.50 at all times