The Big Lebowski (No Spoilers)

This review is part of a larger feature over at the LAMB for the new Movie of the Month feature. So when you're done here, feel free to check out what the other LAMBs had to say about The Dude & Co. in a post that willl be up on June 30th.

Jeffrey Lebowski, better known as The Dude, is having a bad night when a couple of thugs break into his place to get money out of him they claim his wife owes, then maliciously pee on his rug. Only problem is The Dude doesn't have a wife: he's been mistaken for a millionaire of the same proper name. When The Dude goes to see the other Jeffrey Lebowski, or The Big Lebowski if you will, all he wants is compensation for his rug that "really tied the room together, man." Soon he becomes embroiled in the kidnapping and ransom of The Big Lebowski's wife, and all right before the bowling finals. Hilarity ensues.

I've got a dark confession to make: I didn't like The Big Lebowski the first time I saw it. I honestly didn't see what the big deal was after hearing its praises sung by cinaphiles for 5 years. So I was slightly disheartened when it was chosen as the LAMB MOTM, especially since I'm the one in charge of this new feature, so I drew the name by chance. So there was nothing left for me to do but hope and pray I wouldn't suffer a second time. And I didn't.

I watched the film again and actually enjoyed it. I laughed...outloud...alone on my couch. That is indeed a difficult task to achieve.

I kept wondering, especially when others would ask, why I didn't like The Big Lebowski the first time around. I would always use my cop-out answer that it was "over-hyped" and by the time I got around to seeing the movie, it simply did not meet my expectations. But that's a load of bollocks.

The truth is that while watching it that first time, I spent far too much time and energy concentrating on the plot. I know: silly me. Not that the plot of the film is bad, but attempting to over analyze it will only drive you to insanity. After this second viewing I finally realized what a character rich film The Big Lebowski truly is. Everyone from The Dude to The Stranger gives exactly what is needed to fulfill their purpose in the film, and yet leaves us wanting more, but not in a bad way. And of course, each character is flawlessly portrayed.

It's actually difficult to see Jeff Bridges in another role now, even in the ever so recent Iron Man, since he perfectly embodied the role of The Dude, and I cannot stress this perfectly enough. His inflection, mannerisms and expressions melded beautifully to create what is now one of the most iconic movie characters in film history.

Of course, there's something to be said of every other fine performance in the film. What would The Big Lebowski be without John Goodman as the rage-filled Walter, Steve Buscemi as the curious, child-like Donnie, or John Turturro as The Jesus?

Of course I probably don't need to tell any of this to an overwhelming majority of anyone who reads this post, since it is one of the Coen Brothers' most beloved films. But if you're one of the 15 people left in this world who hasn't seen The Big Lebowski, give it a try. And if you don't like it, give it another try. If after the 3rd time you're still not convinced, then you can stop trying because it's probably hopeless.

The Big Lebowski still isn't anywhere near my favorite Coen Brothers film, or even one of their comedies, but at least I'll refrain from saying "That movie sucked!"

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