UPDATE: Fans of Bruce Willis have just three days to watch the critically panned Hudson Hawk for free on PlutoTV. This holiday season, the notorious flop from 1991 is available for streaming, inviting viewers to discover whether it truly lives up to its infamous reputation.
In the midst of his ascendant career as a Hollywood action star, Bruce Willis crafted this film with musician Robert Kraft, inspired by his bartending days before his breakout role in Moonlighting. The character he created, Hudson Hawk, was intended as an anti-James Bond, returning to the screen after the success of Die Hard with producer Joel Silver backing the project.
What began as a low-budget comedy spiraled into a production that cost a staggering $65 million USD. Audiences expecting another Die Hard were met with slapstick humor and convoluted plot twists, leading to a disappointing box office return of just $17 million in the U.S., although it fared better internationally, grossing around $80 million elsewhere.
The film follows Eddie Hawkins, alias “Hudson Hawk,” who has just been released from prison only to find himself blackmailed by the Mafia, his parole officer, and the CIA into executing a high-stakes art heist. Unbeknownst to him, he becomes a pawn in a vast conspiracy for global domination masterminded by the wealthy Mayflower couple, who seek a Leonardo da Vinci invention capable of transmuting lead into gold.
Despite its poor reception, Hudson Hawk found a second life on home video and remains a subject of curiosity for fans. Bruce Willis, however, faced a string of flops around this time, including The Bonfire of the Vanities and The Last Boy Scout, before rebounding with acclaimed roles in Death Becomes Her and Pulp Fiction.
Don’t miss this fleeting opportunity to watch an iconic piece of film history, even if it is for all the wrong reasons. Tune in to PlutoTV before this limited-time offer runs out!
As the holidays approach, many fans are reflecting on Willis’ legacy, especially in light of his family’s recent challenges. His wife, Emma Heming Willis, has opened up about the emotional toll of the holidays amid his ongoing battle with dementia, adding another layer of significance to revisiting his work.
For those eager to explore the film and its impact, now is the time to dive in and see if Hudson Hawk deserves a re-evaluation or remains a cautionary tale of Hollywood ambition gone awry.
