Review of 'The Big Lebowski'
Jeffrey Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), aka “The Dude” is going about his laissez-faire existence of drink, bowling…and not much else until he is mistaken for another Jeffrey Lebowski (David Huddleston) who happens to be an unlikeable old millionaire who has fallen on hard times and owes money to some pretty dangerous people. The Dude and his bowling friends the super-aggressive Walter (John Goodman) and the ultra-docile “Donny” (Steve Buscemi) find themselves involved in delivering the ransom for the millionaire's rather ditzy (and young) wife “Bunny” (Tara Reid) who has gone missing. Things are not as they seem and life is about to get much more interesting for the Dude…
A rather quirky classic comedy cult favourite from the masters of quirky: The Coen brothers. This film is filled with quotable lines (the Dude: “That rug really tied the room together” after a thug pees on it) but it is quite twisted and you need to be in the mood to take it all in – Certainly not for the easily offended. There is also a fair bit of quite person violence.
Bridges is perfectly cast as the down-and-out hippy just coasting through life and Goodman uses his considerable presence to give a disturbing portrayal of a man unhinged. The wonderfully OTT characters themselves, of course, take themselves and their situation very seriously but we are able to laugh at the sheen insanity unfolding on the screen. What is also great is that the story keeps you guessing up until the end and it is actually interesting rather than just an excuse for quotes and comedy - You are just as lost as the characters in understanding it. Though, I have to say, the only likable character is, of course, the Dude. Everyone else is not really that nice…
I have to admit, I did not know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. Classic comedy from the Coen brothers featuring an all-star cast. Occasionally the film drags a bit and repeats itself but that is part of it's charm - Sit back and take it all in. Dude!
Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”
Review Date: 2021-08-21
Directed by: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Studio: Polygram Filmed Entertainment
Year: 1998
Length: 117 minutes
Genre: Comedy
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118715/
Other reviewed films by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen:
- Burn After Reading (2008)
- The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)
Other reviewed films by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen:
- O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)