The Big Lebowski

“Take it easy dude.” “Yeah well, the Dude abides.” This exchange between the film’s protagonist, the Dude, and the film’s narrator highlights the laid back demeanor of the Dude. The film The Big Lebowski was released in 1998. I believe this film is great because of the cast, story, and film techniques.

The film was written, produced, and directed by brothers Joel and Ethan Coen. They have worked on over 20 films together since 1984. The main actors in the film include Jeff Bridges and John Goodman. Goodman has been in several Coen brothers films, while Bridges was also in their remake of True Grit. The film also has recurring Coen brothers’ actors Steve Buscemi, John Turturro, and Jon Polito. The Coen brothers have employed several different genres and styles depending on the film. Many of the Coen brothers’ films contain similar plot points or use recurring objects or character types as their signature style. For example, a botched crime is often the focus of their films (IMDb.com). The style of The Big Lebowski is dark comedy combined with film noir and crime.

This film is set in Los Angeles, 1991. An unemployed bowling enthusiast named Jeffrey Lebowski, or “The Dude”, is mistaken for a millionaire with the same name and attacked in his home. After his rug gets ruined from the encounter, he goes to the millionaire’s home to try to get money for it. He ends up being hired by the Big Lebowski to deliver ransom money to get back his wife, who was kidnapped. However, thanks to the Dude’s friend Walter Sobchak, they lose the money and he has to try to find a way to solve the problem he created. The Dude is lazy and doesn’t seem to want to do much in life, but is dragged into the whole situation simply because of a mistaken identity. Walter Sobchak is a Vietnam veteran who is hot-tempered and very reckless. He causes several problems throughout the film with little regard for what will happen. The Big Lebowski is a man who comes across first as unlikable and then as desperate, so we’re not quite sure of his true character. The interaction between these very different personalities leads to a conclusion that’s worth the wait.

The film uses music, smoking, and typical noir characters as film techniques. Music is used to set the mood of a moment. One example of this is when western ballad music is played to symbolize a western themed part of the movie that shows tumbleweeds blowing across the scenery. The opening credits have a western feel to them, therefore the scene has western ballad music. Western ballad music plays again when we see the Narrator in person, as he has a cowboy vibe and drawl to his speech. Smoking is used in several moments of the film. The most significant moment to me is when the Dude smokes in the scene where he learns the Big Lebowski’s wife has been kidnapped. The smoking is used to add to the frightening realization experienced by this character. Finally, the film uses certain characters common in this style of film. A character named Maude Lebowski is the femme fatale. She brings the Dude into another storyline twist. This twist has the Dude change course for how he will fix the problem he created. The Dude is a classic noir male protagonist. He is flawed with questionable morals and takes a lot of punishment with little reward. All of these techniques help to move the plot along, entertain the audience, and show off the film’s dark comedy and noir style.

The film, The Big Lebowski, is great because of the experienced directors and actors, the interesting storyline, and film techniques. Following the Dude floating through his life, like the tumbleweeds at the beginning of the movie, while becoming embroiled in a kidnapping mystery is a fun ride. You find yourself rooting for the Dude, even though he is a slacker. One hopes he can deal with the challenges caused by Walter and Maude and the overwhelming situations he finds himself in. Initially a box office and critical flop, it has since achieved classic cult movie status (mentalfloss.com). I give this film 5 stars, as it’s a must see. Overall, this is an achievement in storytelling and filmmaking. This film has held up over time and is one that I recommend to people who like darker comedies.