Stylish and wickedly funny black comedy illuminated by a great performance from Jeff Bridges, and loaded with all the Coen brothers' trademark wit and flair.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Runtime: 1 hr 58 mins
Synopsis: The Coen brothers have done it again. Mixing in Leninist philosophy, mistaken identity, crazy characters, a kidnapping plot, and a deep love of bowling, they have unleashed upon an unsuspecting world the many glories of THE BIG LEBOWSKI. Jeff Bridges plays Jeff Lebowski, known as the Dude, a... The Coen brothers have done it again. Mixing in Leninist philosophy, mistaken identity, crazy characters, a kidnapping plot, and a deep love of bowling, they have unleashed upon an unsuspecting world the many glories of THE BIG LEBOWSKI. Jeff Bridges plays Jeff Lebowski, known as the Dude, a laid-back, easygoing burnout who happens to have the same name as a millionaire whose wife owes a lot of dangerous people a whole bunch of money--resulting in the Dude having his rug soiled, sending him spiraling into the Los Angeles underworld. The film is beautiful to look at, especially the scenes in the bowling alley, which feature a vast array of bizarre characters--including Steve Buscemi, John Turturro, Sam Elliott, and the movie-stealing, riotously funny John Goodman as the Dude's crazy best buddy. As usual in Coen brothers films (BARTON FINK, RAISING ARIZONA), the dialogue is hysterically warped; the plot is confusing, complicated, and kinetic; the soundtrack is virtually another character; and the acting is weirdly stellar. THE BIG LEBOWSKI is yet another thoroughly entertaining foray into the strange and fascinating world ruled by Joel and Ethan Coen. [More]
Genre: Comedies
Starring: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, David Huddleston
Producer: Ethan Coen, Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan
Screenwriter: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Composer: Carter Burwell
DVD Info
Release:
May 5, 2009
HD DVD Features:
- Snap Case
- Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
- Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 Surround - English, French
- Subtitles - English (SDH), French - Optional
Reviews
Far from being shallow pastiche, it's actually about something: what it means to be a man, to be a friend, and to be a 'hero' for a particular time and place.
It's the wealth of great characters and their insane dialogue that make this a memorable film.
In a perfect world all movies would be made by the Coen brothers.
As with Raising Arizona, The Big Lebowski gives us a protagonist whose dopey innocence seems to be his only protection from the real world.
If it's all supposed to be in fun, why does it feel so much like an insult?
Adds up to considerably less than the sum of its often scintillating parts.
Bridges does more with his deflated body language than many comedians can manage by chewing the furniture.
If nothing else, the Dude speaks for me when appraises the music of the Eagles.
The result is a lot of laughs and a feeling of awe toward the craftsmanship involved. I doubt that there'll be anything else like it the rest of this year.
This deliberately messay comedy stars Jeff Bridges as a slack-brained pothead, but the funniest turn is given by John Turturro as a gay Latino bowler who urges his ball with sexy thrusts of his pelvis.
It's the actors that make this film: without the perfect casting ... and without their perfect comic timing, it wouldn't work. But it does work, every minute.
Joel and Ethan Cohen are in the midst of just such a golden streak right now.
After seeing and enjoying Lebowksi at least four times over the years, I can plainly see why the movie freaks have embraced this off-kilter comedy so enthusiastically.
In many ways, The Big Lebowski has surpassed Fargo as the Coens' high-water mark.
No, it's no Fargo. It's the most flamboyant, erratic, spontaneous movie the Coens have ever made.
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