MJ5K's Review

Summary - Perfect 5.0

“Nice to know he’s out there, the Dude. Takin’ ’er easy for all us sinners out there.”

The Coens never cease to amaze me. Fargo was the ultimate mix of comedy and drama, keeping us hooked from beginnning to end. No Country for Old Men was a suspenseful thriller that kept the audience at the edge of their seats and introduced one of the greatest on-screen villains of the last decade. And more recently, True Grit brought the western back with a true bang, offering us a remake that, in my opinion, bettered the original, which in itself was a classic. So where does the Big Lebowski fall among these films? Since it’s release, The Big Lebowski has become a cult classic among those who bowl, drink white russians, and drop the f-bomb one too many times.

The film revolves around Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges, in a career defining role), a stuck in the 70’s stoner with little money, a crappy car, and no ambitions. However, that doesn’t keep the Dude down in the dumps, he lives a chill life. He bowls, drives around, has the occasional acid flash back, hangs with misfits such as best friend/partner in crime Walter Sobchak (a hysterical, and almost terrifying, John Goodman) and the clueless Donny (Steve Buscemi). But one day the Dude’s life turns upside down when he’s mistaken for a millionaire with the same name and two thugs soil his rug. And that rug really tied the room together. From there the movie falls into a series of misadventures revolving around a kidnapping, a bag of undies, a sexy feminist (Julianne Moore), a bowling rival with a hidden past (John Turtorro, in a scene stealing performance), a stone walling kid, and much more!

The dialogue is absolutely brilliant! Being this is the Coen Bros., a lot of people simply “don’t get” the Big Lebowski, but I was hooked from the moment I saw it. The dialogue is memorable and I tend to quote it on a daily basis. Usually it leaves my friends scratching their heads, but I practically live my life by the philosophy of the dude. “Just take it easy, man.” This is also the Coens’ most visually impressive film. The visuals in this movie are really impressive. They’re almost hypnotic and so surreal you’d assume you were in one of the Dude’s epic acid flashbacks. The sequence “Logjammin” remains one of the best scenes of 90’s cinema. The Big Lebowski also boasts a great soundtrack. We’re talkin’ the whole shabang! From Bob Dylan to Creedence to (sigh) the friggin’ Eagles.

Overall, The Big Lebowski remains one of my favorite films of all time. It’s one I could watch any day and never get bored. Sure, some might not get it, but that’s fine. As for me, well…The Dude abides.

Acting - Perfect 5.0

Film - Perfect 5.0

Edge - Horrid 3.7

Reality - Supernatural 3.1

1 Comment

• Wick Mar 19, 2011 11:37AM

  Regarding MJ5K’s Review
  Great review MJ, plus your Perfect rating pushed Lebowski up to 3rd on the All Time TopPiks list.

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