The movie Winona Ryder would have killed to be in: “I wanted that opportunity”
Winona Ryder is the reigning queen of gothic cinema and adolescent weirdness, making an early name for herself through performances in Beetlejuice, Heathers and Girl, Interrupted. Since the beginning of her career, she has worked with some of the most prolific auteurs in the business, collaborating with Jim Jarmusch on his dreamy nighttime tale and Martin Scorsese through his devastating take on the gilded age.
While her journey through the industry has been somewhat tumultuous, her love for filmmaking has never wavered, demonstrating her encyclopedic knowledge of the medium and diverse taste. Because of this, she has always had specific filmmakers on her radar and ultimate collaborative wish list, hoping for an opportunity to work with two directors in particular.
The Coen brothers have formed their strange universe in which certain actors make regular appearances, with John Turturro, Jeff Bridges and Frances McDormand perfectly slotting into the ambiguous and distorted realism of their world. Their work can be defined by a penchant for cynicism and dark humour, often with elaborate plots and miscommunications that go horribly wrong, leaving the characters in a stressful state of limbo.
Over the years, they have built a devoted fan base through the unexpected cult classic The Big Lebowski, as well as films like Fargo, No Country for Old Men and Burn After Reading. The filmmakers view reality through a unique lens that heightens the absurdism of everyday life, often creating a nihilistic worldview that pokes fun at the business of being human and the obstacles that come with it.
However, for Winona Ryder, there was one movie from their filmography that she deeply wanted to be a part of, auditioning for a role in their 1994 picture and not being selected for the role.
The Hudsucker Proxy follows a business graduate who is given the job of being president of a manufacturing company as part of a stock scam. Starring Tim Robbins, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Paul Newman, the film is less popular within their canon of work but undoubtedly crucial in developing their voice and sense of humour. The directors critique capitalism and consumerist culture through their sharp sense of wit and satirical undertones, with an ensemble cast of vivid characters that heighten the snappy rhythm of the film. While some of their more devoted fans enjoy the film, it remains lesser-known within their filmography and a hidden treasure for those who want to find it.
While Ryder was not given a role in the film, she later spoke about her desire to ne included in the cast, presumably in the role that is played by Leigh. Ryder explained, “I worshipped the Coen brothers obviously, as does everyone. I wanted that opportunity”.
Despite not being given the chance to work with them at this point, she has continued to work on challenging projects since then that have showcased her scope as an actor. Whether it be through Reality Bites or Black Swan, her resume displays an impressive level of range that would surely make her a frontrunner in any future casting process from the directing duo.
