Today’s IMDB Top 250 Guest Review comes from Mark of Marked Movies. He also reviewed Heat (HERE) and Argo (HERE). Thanks for all the reviews, Mark! š Now let’s hear his thoughts on The Big Lebowski, IMDB rank 131 out of 250…
There are still some movies up for grabs if anyone wants to do a guest IMDB Top 250 review. You can find the list of remaining films HERE. See the full list & links to all the reviews that have already been done HERE.
Directors: Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
Screenplay: Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
Starring: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, John Turturro, David Huddleston, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Sam Elliott, Ben Gazarra, David Thewlis, Jon Polito, Tara Reid, Peter Stormare, Flea, Torsten Voges, Aimee Mann, Mark Pellegrino, Philip Moon, Jack Kehler, Jimmie Dale Gilmour, Leon Russom, Ajgie Kirkland, Asia Carrera.
This film has such a massive cult following that it has even spawned a traveling, annual festival called āThe Lebowski Festā, at which fans congregate dressed as their favourite characters. It has also amassed a new belief system called āDudeismā of which you can be ordained as a Dudeist priest. Now, this might be going a bit far but itās all in the name of fun, of which, this Coen brothers tale supplies plenty of.
Jeffrey āThe Dudeā Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) is a cannabis smoking throwback from the seventies. He minds his own business, enjoying ābowling, driving around and the occasional acid flashbackā. One day, two thugs break into his home and urinate on his rug ā āwhich really tied the room togetherā. As he looks for answers, he finds that he has been mistaken for his namesake Jeffrey Lebowski, the Passadena millionaire (David Huddleston). Otherwise referred to as āThe Big Lebowskiā. Looking for compensation for his rug, he pays the millionaire a visit and finds that his absent, trophy wife Bunny (Tara Reid) owes money all over town ā including known pornographer Jackie Treehorn (Ben Gazarra), who sent the thugs (to the wrong house) to collect on the debt. But the thugs arenāt the only ones who have gotten their Lebowskiās mixed up. A trio of Nihilists threaten āThe Dudeā for a ransom of $1 million, claiming they will kill his wife. Reluctantly, āThe Dudeā gets involved, with his crazed Vietnam veteran buddy Walter (John Goodman), in trying to get the bottom of all the confusion. Does this make sense? Donāt worry, āThe Dudeā doesnāt get it either.
Trying to even give a synopsis of the plot in this complex tale, is hard enough, but thatās to the Coensā credit in concocting this elaborate modern day private detective story. In the past, the Coens payed homage to crime writer Dashiell Hammett with āMillerās Crossingā and here, they pay homage to Hammettās contemporary Raymond Chandler. It has all the elements of a classic private-eye yarn but masquerades as a zany comedy. Itās so much more than that. Itās a film that relies heavily on consistently sharp dialogue and each word, pause and stammer are delivered perfectly by an exceptionally brilliant cast; Bridges is a very fine actor but this is his moment of glory, in a role that is perfectly suited. He has received numerous plaudits throughout his career ā for his more serious roles ā but this is his most iconic. Coens regular John Goodman is also at his maniacal best as his loyal buddy, Walter. Sam Elliott is wonderfully endearing, as āThe Strangerā, in cowboy attire, that narrates the whole wacky tale and a scene-stealing John Turturro is simply unforgettable as Jesus Quintana, a latino, sex-offending bowler. In fact, itās very difficult to single out a specific performance, there are so many great appearances: from the likes of Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, David Thewlis, Ben Gazzara, Jon Polito and the always marvellous Philip Seymour Hoffman. The entire cast are just sublime and deliver their, razor sharp, dialogue under the most creative guidance from the Coens. Itās not just the performances that stand out though; usual Coens cinematographer Roger Deakins works with a rich and colourful pallet and the choice of music throughout, accompanies the scenes perfectly. I could go on and pick out every perfect detail of this classic but then Iād just be ruining it for you, even if youāve already seen it. Itāll do no harm to see it again ā with a spliff and a beverage ā and allow your ācasualness to run deepā.
I have tried to find the words that do this film justice but I still donāt think I have. Rest assured though, this is the most enjoyable Coens movie to date and an instant cult classic that wll take one hell of a film to topple it from my #1 spot.
Mark Walker
