Movie A Day #132: The Big Lebowski

[Beaver]

IMO the Coen Brothers best film. The Dude, whose real name is Jeff Lebowski, is mistaken for another Jeff Lebowski, a big wig millionaire. The Dude is roughed up by some thugs who claim that his wife owes their boss, Jackie Treehorn, a lot of money. During the course of this episode, one of the men urinates on The Dude's favorite rug. Eventually the two men realize that they have the wrong guy and take off.

What follows is a series of events that revolve around The Dude trying to get some sort of compensation for his soiled rug, which "really tied the room together". Along the way we are introduced to a host of bizarre and hilarious characters. Walter, played by John Goodman, is The Dude's best friend, a man with an enormous temper who is obsessed with bowling and his experiences in the Vietnam War. Donny, played by Steve Buscemi, is the "third wheel", a friend of Walter and The Dude who is a member of the bowling team and is constantly out of the loop with everything going on around him. And Jesus Quintana, portrayed masterfully by John Turturro, a Latino child molestor who also happens to be the chief rival to The Dude, Walter, and Donny's bowling team.

This is one of those movies that I can watch over and over and still see and hear new things. 10/10

 

[Renz]

Hilarious movie!

"Strong men also cry."

 

[Chaplin]

It's not a horrible movie, but I definitely think this is the Coen's worst. I'm not sure why--it still has the great kookiness they are known for, and I know that I hate Julianne Moore, but she CAN'T be the real reason why I dislike the film, can it?

I don't know, I just didn't care and wasn't as involved as I was in all their other films, including The Man Who Wasn't There, which many people dislike.

 

[mdamien13]

Hands down my favorite Coen Bros. movie!

Everything about this film is awesome. There are too many hilarious moments in it for me to remember them all. And so many great performances - John Turturro as the flamboyant "Jesus the Bowler" is one of my all time faves. And John Goodman as the psychotic Vietnam vet who ties in every experience in life to the War.

No matter how many times I see it the jokes never get old. That's the sign of a brilliant comedy!

 

[Chaplin]

I disagree. The movie is a mess--a mishmash of characters that don't really seem to "do" anything (except for Steve Buscemi).

 

[Billythekid]

I'm kinda with Chap on this one. i am a big fan of the Coen Bros films, but didn't really get into this one... Steve Buscemi was good as always but 'The Dude' just annoyed the hell out of me.

 

[Beaver]

Just curious what your favorite Coen film is Chap?

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by BendCardfan
Just curious what your favorite Coen film is Chap?

Good question, but I guess it would have to be Hudsucker Proxy.

 

[Bada0Bing]

I discovered this one about 2 years ago. It quickly became my favorite comedy. The entire movie is basically a list of quotable lines that you can use anytime, and sometimes if you do it right people can pick up on what you’re doing. Then of course, you end up spending about 15 minutes exchanging classic lines from the movie.

 

[Assface]

I never found this movie to be even remotely entertaining.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

one of my favorites

was at a bar in mpls a while back, and we were quoting lines at our table - guy at a table next to us drops a quote in and pretty soon the whole bar was literally screaming quotes at each other

great times

 

[Stout]

Mark it as a zero, Dude.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

stout, you are entering a world of pain

 

[Stout]

stout, you are entering a world of pain

I didn't rent the dog f-ing shoes. I'm not going to buy it an f-ing beer.

 

[Bada0Bing]

You want a toe? I can get you a toe, believe me. There are ways, Dude. You don't wanna know about it, believe me. Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon.

 

[brettman82]

Funniest character in the movie (besides John Goodman's character) is "the Jesus" (played by John Turturo).

The dude abides.