DVD Review: Big Lebowski, The (A)

The Big Lebowski (1998)
Directed by Joel Coen
Starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Julianne Moore
MPAA: R
Grade: A

Review by Scott Standish

The story behind The Big Lebowski is reportedly that the Coen brothers wanted to film a Maltese Falcon type mystery but with a peculiar twist: instead of a tough Humphrey Bogart type in the lead they would base the lead entirely on one of their real life pals. Apparently their pal is a pot smoking, white Russian drinking avid bowler that likes people to simply call him "Dude".

The character "Dude" as portrayed by Jeff Bridges is a laid back ex-radical that seems to have settled quite nicely into a lazy life of "bowling, driving around and the occasional acid flashback". In other words, the Dude abides. Jeff Bridges has this guy down pat and its almost amazing to see just how laid back this character really is.

Unfortunately the Dude gets mixed up in a kidnapping case when a pack of nihilist criminals mistake him for another Jeffrey Lebowski. This mistaken identity kicks off a huge chain of events for the Dude that are actually a little confusing (similar to Maltese Falcon). The confusing plot is obviously intended by the Coens, as we see Jeffrey Lebowski struggle with this insanity, all the while, just wishing he could go back to smoking joints in the bathtub listening to whale sounds on his cassette deck.

John Goodman plays Walter, the hotheaded veteran that tries to relate every single conflict in life to Vietnam. Steve Buscemi does a very nice, understated performance as the clueless Donny. Toss in some great turns by John Turturro and Sam Elliot and The Big Lebowski solidly checks in as one of the best comedies of the 1990's.

A special mention must be made about the quirky dialogue in this movie. Each character is deeply defined and their rants and raves are deftly crafted. Each person's dialogue not only propels the story forward, but also gives insight into their psyche. For example, after Walter pulls a gun on a bowler that simply stepped over the line on a roll, the Dude tries to straighten him out. Dude: Walter, you can't do that. These guys're like me, they're pacifists. Smokey was a conscientious objector.

Walter: You know Dude, I myself dabbled with pacifism at one point. Not in Nam, of course--

Dude: And you know Smokey has emotional problems!

Walter: You mean--beyond pacifism?

The Big Lebowski is one of those rare films that holds up extremely well to repeated viewings. I think that's because the characters are not shallow sitcom-like androids. These are complex people trying to solve an increasingly complex problem, while trying to hold onto their chosen philosophy on life (which is basically "fuck it, let's go bowling"). That's not an easy task with the weirdos, kidnappers, nihilists and pornographers that they run into.

The Big Lebowksi is also a reminder that being a slacker is still indeed a viable, and maybe even somewhat honorable lifestyle. The Dude certainly does abide. And as The Stranger (played to perfection by Sam Elliot) says: "I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners."

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