When you review films, you must be prepared for situations when your assessment of certain film is at odds with general sentiment. In some cases you might have unfavourable views of the films that have not only became cult favourites, popular source of Internet memes but actually served as an inspiration for founding of new religion. For the author of this review one such film is The Big Lebowski, 1998 comedy directed by Joel Coen and co-written with his brother Ethan.
The plot takes place in early 1990s Los Angeles, roughly around the time of First Gulf War. This event is completely ignored by the protagonist Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski (played by Jeff Bridges), unemployed and lazy middle-aged former hippie whose life revolves around simple pleasures and who only leaves his home in order to go bowling with his friends – flamboyant Vietnam War veteran Walter Sobchak (played by John Goodman) and quiet Donny Kerabatsos (played by Steve Buscemi). His everyday life is going to be interrupted with arrival two thugs who want to collect the debt made by his wife. When Dude tries to explain that he isn’t married and that he was probably mistaken for someone else, it is too late – he gets beaten and, what is even more painful for him, thugs urinate on his rug. Dude decides to seek restitution from the real target, wealthy man called Jeffrey “The Big” Lebowski (played by David Huddleston). He at first refuses to address the issue, but later asks Dude’s help in delicate matter. Someone has apparently kidnapped his trophy wife Bunny (played by Tara Reid), so Dude is given the task of delivering the ransom money. Dude agrees to do it, but his friend Walter suggests that he keeps money for himself. Dude’s situation is further complicated after encounter with Lebowski’s eccentric daughter Maude (played by Julianne Moore) who might have her own agenda.
The Big Lebowski was made when Coen Brothers have already won prestigious awards and became established among most interesting of all American film makers. This film clearly shows the work of people with lot of talent and sense of humour. Unfortunately, that very talent in this particular case makes the film looks much worse. There are some brilliant little pieces in The Big Lebowski, like the scenes that depict bizarre visions protagonist has whenever someone hits him in the head. John Goodman, one of the best character actors in Hollywood, delivers one of the best performances of his career by playing Walter, character of gun-obsessed former surfer, obviously modelled after famous Hollywood film maker John Milius. Jeff Bridges is also very good in what would become one of the most iconic and, later, the most popular roles in his long filmography.
However, all those fine ingredients fail to make a coherent whole. The Big Lebowski too many times looks like exercise in style over substance, with Coen Brothers focusing their attention in too many directions, often with disappointing styles. The film tries to be satirical depiction of early 1990s attitudes in America, semi-nostalgic look at old hippies and some kind of homage to hard-boiled crime novels by Raymond Chandler. The latter is clearly addressed through over-complicated plot with too many bizarre, but underwritten characters and voice-over narration by Sam Elliott which in the end turns into “meta” parody of itself. Even some good cast members are wasted, including Julianne Moore who definitely had better roles in her career. The Big Lebowski was one of the first Coen Brothers’ films to receive less than enthusiastic reviews but it had a decent box office. Its biggest achievement was, however, creation of Dudeism, syncretic religion inspired by its protagonist and his philosophy of “taking it easy”.
RATING: 4/10 (++)
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