A film that started as a divisive crime comedy gained such a level of cult status that there are festivals and even philosophies based around this film. Looking back at it, it's easy to see why in this Coen Brothers caper that has become one of the most memorable and quotable films of the 90s.
The film follows the daily antics of an unemployed slacker and advent bowler Jeff Lebowski better known as "The Dude". After a case of mistaken identity, The Dude becomes involved in a kidnapping plot involving a wealthy man's trophy wife in a scheme that becomes more bizarre as The Dude navigates this plot set in early 90s Los Angelos.
What's really fascinating about this film is the unorthodox pacing the Coen Brothers set it to. In many ways it plays out as a series of vignettes that often don't really lead to any real conclusion, they just sort of stop, often with The Dude simply going back to the bowling alley with his friends to reflect on what they just witnessed. Even the opening narration by Sam Eliot is just some man rambling on half-drunk not really sure how to start such a story. This all works though as the whole movie is shown through the eyes of The Dude as he tries to navigate this increasingly bizarre crime that could only have been thought up by very out-of-touch individuals. The people The Dude interacts with often talk down on him for being such a lowly individual and The Dude himself can't really put the whole thing together which makes for some hilarious interactions and antics throughout the film. Even the ending of the film has no real resolution with The Dude simply going on with his life, there isn't any big change of reflection that The Dude (or anyone) goes through, The Dude is the exact same person as he was at the beginning. This is not a negative as The Coens expertly put together this story with their signature touch that makes the story work very well.
All of this however would not work without a terrific ensemble and The Coen's have that in spades here. Jeff Bridges' performance as The Dude has become such an iconic persona and it's well deserved, his deliveries and mannerisms make him so much fun to watch. As good as Jeff Bridges is though John Goodman steals the show as The Dude's unstable Vietnam Vet Walter Sobchak. Rather he is exploding at the smallest of things or going on about Vietnam, Goodman is an absolute blast to watch as he constantly makes things for The Dude worse thanks to his unstable nature. the rest of the ensemble including Julian Moore, Steve Buscemi, David Huddleston, Phillip Seymore Hoffman, all make great use of their screentime as well. The stand out among the smaller roles is John Turturro as "Jesus" who is only in the film for 2 scenes, yet is one of the most memorable parts of the movie thanks to his hilarious and strange antics.
The Big Lebowski's legacy cannot be underestimated. Its memorable characters, dialogue, and sequences helped make this from a cult movie to a timeless classic.
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