The Big Lebowski (1998)

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Directed by Joel Coen.

Starring Jeff Bridges, Steve Buscemi, John Goodman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, David Huddleston, Julianne Moore, Peter Stormare.

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The plot of this Raymond Chandler-esque comedy crime caper from the Coen Brothers (Joel Coen and Ethan Coen) pivots around a case of mistaken identity complicated by extortion, double-crosses, deception, embezzlement, sex, pot, and gallons of White Russians (made with fresh cream, please). In 1991, unemployed '60s refugee Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) grooves into his laid-back Los Angeles lifestyle. One of the laziest men in LA, he enjoys hanging with his bowling buddies, pompous security-store owner Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) and mild-mannered ex-surfer Donny (Steve Buscemi). However, the Dude's life takes an alternate route the afternoon two goons break into his threadbare Venice, California, bungalow, rough him up, and urinate on his living room rug. Why? Because Jackie Treehorn (Ben Gazzara) is owed money by the wife of a certain Jeff Lebowski. However, the goons grabbed the wrong Jeff Lebowski. With the right info, they would have invaded the home of philanthropic Pasadena millionaire Jeffrey Lebowski (David Huddleston). The Dude looks up his wealthy namesake, manages to get a replacement for his rug, and meets the millionaire's sexy young wife Bunny (Tara Reid). Later, Jeffrey ("The Big") Lebowski calls in the Dude to deliver a $1 million ransom for the return of his kidnapped wife. Fine -- except that Walter intrudes and botches the ransom drop. As events unravel, the Dude gets caught up in the schemes of Lebowski's daughter, erotic artist Maude (Julianne Moore), encounters both cops and bad guys, and drifts through an elaborate bowling fantasy sequence titled Gutterballs. The soundtrack includes Bob Dylan, Yma Sumac, Moondog, Captain Beefheart, and the Sons of the Pioneers. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

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Reviews and discussions

Events: Lebowski, Baghead, Pres ...
by Karina in Karina on SpoutBlog

liked it.

Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"A few bits of news have been trickling in this afternoon on some upcoming events: It’s Lebowski Fest this weekend in Louisville, Kentucky. Something I would never, ever go to myself, but sort of appreciate on the grounds that there should be more batshit insane social events structured around films which didn’t make a whole lot of money. More info here; it also looks like Whitney is live-Twittering. Frank V. Ross’ Present Company is premiering tomorrow night at my much-beloved Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago. I reviewed the film at SXSW, where we also interviewed Ross and his cast. The film also screens on Tuesday. On July 18, Matt Dentler will be moderating an indieWIRE-hosted conversation at the Apple Store between the Duplass Brothers and their Baghead stars, Greta Gerwig and Ross Partridge. Sony Classics will be opening the movie here in NYC the following Friday. We’ve covered that one a bunch, too. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » Karina Longworth " [More]

Events: Lebowski, Baghead, Pres ...
by SpoutBlog in SpoutBlog on spout.com

hasn't rated it.

The Comedies of Our Lives: or, ...
by SkyPilot in FilmCouch

loved it.

"For many of us our favorite comedies are movies we first saw when puberty was still a novelty to us. Is that more than a coincidence? Do our favorite comedies give us hope about how life can be when we "grow up"? And when we still laugh at Dumb and Dumber or Grosse Pointe Blank, is that a warm and fuzzy nostalgic reaction more than an appreciation of humor? Will the Millennials still be laughing about Dumb and Dumber when they're in their seventies? And oh no, will our younger siblings be laughing at When Harry Met Lloyd in their seventies? " [More]

Re:Desert Island
by TheWorkingDead in Movie Games

loved it.

"You know, I really hate these things, but I can't help putting these lists together myself. How do I pick only 3 movies? Do I go with dense and brainy, hoping that they will provide the longest intellectual stimulation? Do I go with the movies that I just find fun and enjoyable, hoping that they'll always pick up my spirits when rescue doesn't arrive and I'm forced to eat my own fingers one by one? Ah, the hell with it, here's 3 top of my head picks, and a short reason why. Brazil. The Criterion edition(I'm assuming this 3-disc set is allowable). For one, I love the movie, but it also seems like the most bang for my buck in terms of length. 3 discs, 2 movies, documentaries, commentaries. Lost Highway. The first Lynch movie I saw in a theatre, and I can understand the criticisms it gets from some, but it was such a monumental experience in my high school life. It was like the scales fell from my eyes, and it really put me down the path to true film afficianado. Also, I saw this ever ... " [More]

Brad Pitt Pompadour. Clip of th ...
by SpoutBlog in SpoutBlog on spout.com

hasn't rated it.

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"A new R-rated trailer for the Coens’ Burn After Reading showed up online this week, and though it reminds me of a lot of Coen favorites, particularly Raising Arizona and The Big Lebowski, it initially made me think of Tom DiCillo’s Johnny Suede. I don’t know if you could classify Brad Pitt’s hairstyle in Burn After Reading a pompadour, but that first shot of him in the trailer called to mind his tall greaser ‘do in the 1991 cult classic. So, here’s a few clips from the earlier film (for the Burn After Reading trailer, go here) in which the title character (Pitt) encounters Freak Storm (Nick Cave, who would later appear in and score Pitt-starrer The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford). Note the conversation Freak has in the bar. It in turn reminded me of the Coens, who always seem to have a variation of “I need my money” or “where’s the money” or something like that. It’s too bad DiCillo never rose to the Coens’ status or talent, despite working with Coen Bros. r ... " [More]

Re:Johnny AppleWEED - FHTA
by SkyPilot in From Here To Awesome

loved it.

"This looks pretty freewheelin. I've always appreciated it when a drug movie can induce the sort of feelings it demonstrates on screen, even when the viewer is perfectly sober. I don't consider Punch Drunk Love a drug movie, but it does make me feel pretty drunk (those sounds, the sudden animated sequences, etc). The Big Lebowski does this to me too. It looks like Johnny Appleweed might just trigger the same kind of experience... " [More]

Re:Recasting THE PRINCESS BRIDE ...
by leeroy711 in Filmgaming

loved it.

"Well now that it's over, I guess I'll chime in. My idea is to recast this film with characters from other movies. Meaning, new actors, playing the Princess Bride character as a character they have allready played in another movie. This would probably be the worst movie ever so.............. here it goesWestley ..... Zach Braff as Andrew Largeman as the retarded football player in the made for TV movie referenced in Garden StateButtercup / The Princess Bride ..... Christina Ricci as Rae from Black Snake Moan - this will probably change the rating a bit.Inigo Montoya ..... John Turturro as Jesus The Bowler in The Big LebowskiPrince Humperdinck ..... Brian O'Halloran as Dante Hicks in ClerksCount Tyrone Rugen ..... Jeff Anderson as Randall Graves in Clerks Vizzini ..... Ben Stiller as Mr. Furious in Mystery MenFezzik ..... Ron Perlman as HellboyThe Grandson ..... Eric Stoltz as "Rocky" in Mask - I know, that's horrible The ... " [More]

Re:Re:No Country For Old Men / ...
by leeroy711 in Filmspotting

loved it.

"I've been hearing people say good things about "The Lookout," and I'm not really sure why. When I went to see it, I was pretty disappointed. I'm trying to remember what it was about the movie I didn't like. I seem to remember the plot moving too slowly for me. Maybe I'm just impatient, and there was something going on that I just didn't get. I dunno.My top Coen Bros. scenes:-The ferret in the bathtub scene from "The Big Lebowski"-The "summer rain" scene from "O Brother"-The first scene with the apocalyptic bounty hunter in "Raising Arizona"-The wood chipper scene in "Fargo" (for some reason I just can't get over the image of Steve Buschemi's foot sticking out of that thing. It gave me awesome shivers.)-The bowling dream sequence from "Lebowski." [/quote] Great list, I also must add a few-The "look into your heart scene" in Millers Crossing. Completely unforgettable.-The car accident in The Man Who Wasn't There.-The John Goodman transformation at ... " [More]

Part dos
by Smooth_J in Smooth_J Blog

loved it.

Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"…of my list. I’m keeping the blurbs short on this one. 11. The Godfather Part 1 & 2 As close to perfect as films get. There is not much to be said about these films that hasn’t already been said. Completely timeless classics. 12. The Fisher King Another great Gilliam film. Robin William’s performance is amazing, as are Jeff Bridge’s and Mercedes Ruehl’s. The emotional power of this movie is phenomenal. 13. Children of Men Cuaron’s bleak vision of the future is excellently original. It is a poignant, provocative, and disturbing masterpiece. 14. The Departed I know it’s a little bit sloppy, but it’s just so fricken cool. The superb performances by the entire cast perfectly portray Monahan’s razor sharp script. 15. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Peter Jackson perfectly adapted Tolkien’s classic series and created a few of the most breathtaking movies ever put on film. 16. The Proposition Easily my ... " [More]

The Coens Do Quirky, Dry Humor. ...
by JakeStevens in JakeStevens Blog

loved it.

Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"How do you review this film? Just see it. This is probably my fourth time watching this film in as many years, and it gets better every time I see it. The Coen brothers have a knack for quirky dialogue, and this film is chock full of it. It's a crazy, pointless, whacked out film...and I love every second of it. " [More]

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Review by All Movie Guide

All Movie Guide

liked it.

Those who preferred the cut-and-dry, linear plotline of the Coen brothers' Fargo (1996) might be advised to stay away from the duo's gleefully absurd follow-up, The Big Lebowski. The film doesn't have much use for established storytelling techniques; it's more of a series of bizarre vignettes, which might be a problem if they weren't so funny. The title character, brilliantly played by Jeff Bridges, is a latter-day, stoner version of Philip Marlowe; it's one of the many homages the Coens make to films of decades past. The supporting players -- including John Goodman as Lebowski's buddy, and John Turturro as the wonderfully profane bowling champ Jesus -- are excellent as well. Lebowski performed tepidly at the box office, perhaps because of the inevitable post-Fargo backlash. Much like the Coens' earlier cult classic Raising Arizona (1987), it's the kind of film that audiences either love or hate. ~ Matthew Doberman, All Movie Guide

Tags: dude , bowling , Rug , comedy , nihilists
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