The Big Lebowski

The Coen Brothers "The Big Lebowski" is a movie of three friends trying to unravel a plot that is too complex and ratherly unimportant. It is the path along the way of the mystery that makes this movie the cult movie it has become. "The Dude", or Jeff Leboski, becomes intertwined in a kidnapping and ransom due to his same name of another more wealthy Jeff Lebowski. Walter Sobchak is Jeff's best friend, as well as his bowling teammate. He never chooses to live down his pride he has as being a Vietnam War Vet, as is shown in this clip of Walter burying his friend Donny's ashes. Donny is Walter and The Dudes' bowling partner. He is the main reason for Walter's hot temper which provides many fascinating meanlingness arguments - usually ending with "Shut the F*** up, Donny!".

Roger Ebert tends to believe Fargo was a better movie than The Big Lebowski. I agree that Fargo contained a far more substanial plot, but that doesn't define the best movie for me. Similar to Raising Arizona, The Big Lebowski has many unique characters that fascinate me. There is a similarity between H.I. in Raising Arizona and The Dude in The Big Leboski in that they are both outcasts in society. They have a small snitch group of friends that they rely on. Also, The Big Lebowski has one way out there character, Jesus Quintana, a bowler that The Dude's bowling team competes against. Don't mess with Jesus Quintana. The other amazing thing for me about The Lebowski is the strange dialogue. A movie that unneccesarily uses the "F" word 281 times, and uses the word "dude" more than the movie "Dude, where's my car" - is a movie to remember.

Furthermore, I noticed two distinct aspects of Coen Brothers movies that continued in The Big Lebowski. One, was the importance of setting. As Fargo, Raising Arizona, and No Country For Old Men have all shown, setting is important to these guys. In The Big Lebowski, you notice the effect of it taking place in California. It's a Hollywood type story with a Hollywood type setting. Second, is the importance of each character having a distinct voice. For example, in No Country For Old Men Anton Chigurh set the tone with the "Don't F*** with me" attitude. In the Big Lewbowski, The Dude is the laid back hippie, Walter is the tough-guy Vietnam Vet, while Donny is in his own world. This variety keeps each character unique and interesting.

If I were "The Dude" in reference to this movie, well then, the dude abides!

The Coen Brothers

The Coen brothers were my favorite directors thus far based on the three films we watched: Raising Arizona, Fargo, and No Country For Old Men. Each of the movies had several similarities, but yet individually were still very unique. The movies contained a plot based on a smaller crime evolving into much more chaos. Raising Arizona was the most light-hearted of the three films. I enjoyed that "Big Lewboski" type humor, and the chase scene all through town is one of my all time favorites. Fargo was a stepping stone from Raising Arizona's light heartedness, but still did not reach No Country For Old Men. The seriousness of the plot in Fargo intertwined well with the exaggerated Minnesota accents for a fun, but still intense movie. You Betcha it was a good movie! Last, No Country For Old Men was my favorite of the three, and one of my all time favorites. Infact, I already own it and have watched it again. I found it even more in depth and amazing the second time around. You can't catch all the suttleties the Coen Brother's have in this film until you have scene it more than once. I would recommend to all to buy this film!