The Big Lebowski was a film that I had heard of and saw it advertised on channel 4 and was undecided on whether to bother watching it or not, however, I love my films so decided to give it a watch, and I’m glad I did. Filled with swear words, the dude and white russians (the drink) this film is funny, weird and different to other films all at the same time.
The film stars ‘The Dude’ (Jeff Bridges) and Walter (John Goodman) as the main characters. It also stars Julliane Moore and Steve Buscemi who both play their parts excellently (I love Steve Buscemi, if you don’t know who I mean then if you have seen ‘Con Air’ then he’s the highly dangerous prisoner that’s put in the plane, or if you’ve seen Armageddon then he’s the funny one in the gang).
Anyway, the film is about Jeff Lebowski (otherwise known as ‘the dude) who is mistaken for another Jeff Lebowski, a millionaire whose wife is accumulating debts around Los Angeles. Jeff has a rug which he loves passionately and when a gang of thugs come to his house to collect the repayments for the debts, they pee all over the rug. The Dude’s now angry and he goes in search for the real Lebowski so he can replace his rug.
The dude is a man who doesn’t have any money and doesn’t really care much about anything but Bowling. He has his friend who he bowls with who really is the complete opposite of the dude himself. Walter kind of gives you the impression of a very highly strung, ready to blow character who doesn’t let things go easily, and here is is about to help out The Dude with his problem and his rug!
Now, a bit further on into the film, when paying a visit to the real leowski, the dude finds himself being mixed up in a kidnapping fiasco after lebowskis wife is taken. He ultimately tries his hardest to stay out of it all but ends up in helping to get lebowskis wife back. Sometimes confusing but ultimately funny, this does add something to the film that if without it, would have been a flop. I could tell you more but all I’m going to tell you is that from here the film involves modern art, a pornography producer and numerous White Russians!
I’m left wondering why I hadn’t heard of the film before now, I can’t even remember if it was in the cinema or not. Most of the dialogue consists of ‘F’ words, but this just adds to how funny the dude and Walter are together. It kind of reminds me of Dumb and Dumber, but its not the same if you know what I mean!
So, is it funny, it’s a comedy film so it should be! And yes, it is, but it’s not an American Pie or Meet The Parents funny, its more of an acquired humour with lots of weird stuff along the way which in a way leaves you wondering what your watching!!!
Jeff Bridges plays the dude brilliantly, with his long hair, goatee beard and laid back personality he is superb in the film as is John Goodman. It’s the two of them that make the film what it is and what makes it a success rather than a failure.
I’d recommend you give this film a watch. It won’t be on TV all that soon though as it’s just been on, but if you can rent it, or get it cheap somewhere then it’s well worth the watch. Even the end’s good where the bloke in the bar looks in the camera and talks to you, and some of the bowling moments are just classic! Top Film, which didn’t quite get the attention that it deserves, well, not that I know of anyway!!