
The Big Lebowski (1998)
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Listed by
John Wilson
Updated
November 08, 2024
Movie Overview | The Big Lebowski (1998)
The Big Lebowski (/ləˈbaʊski/) is a 1998 crime comedy film written, directed, produced and co-edited by Joel and Ethan Coen. It follows the life of Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), a Los Angeles slacker and avid bowler. He is assaulted as a result of mistaken identity then learns that a millionaire, also named Jeffrey Lebowski (David Huddleston), was the intended victim. The millionaire Lebowski's trophy wife is supposedly kidnapped and millionaire Lebowski commissions The Dude to deliver the ransom to secure her release. The plan goes awry when the Dude's friend Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) schemes to keep the ransom money for the Dude and himself. Sam Elliott, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, John Turturro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tara Reid, David Thewlis, Peter Stormare, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Jon Polito and Ben Gazzara also appear in supporting roles.
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User reviews
Quite an experience!
(Updated: January 04, 2025)
Overall rating
4.0
Entertainment Factor
4.0
Story
3.0
Actors Performance
5.0
Cinematography
4.0
Sound Track
4.0
I am not really sure why this has become a cult favorite. It is a very odd movie, but maybe because of its oddness it has a certain appeal. Very offbeat characters in ridiculous situations. I had no idea where it was going or why I was watching it, but I did watch it to the end! It’s bizarre! But the actors give it their all and the surreal aspects of the plot do hold your interest - if nothing else because you can’t quite believe what’s going on. Some of the dialogue and situations are laugh out loud funny and some just are “huh”? Jeff Bridges is actually fun to watch. It IS an experience!!
Crazy Ass Movie
(Updated: January 04, 2025)
Overall rating
3.2
Entertainment Factor
4.0
Story
4.0
Actors Performance
3.0
Cinematography
2.0
Sound Track
3.0
The Big Lebowski has to be one of the most absurd movies I have ever seen. It is practically plotless. Its comedy is gleefully absurd. And it doesn't once try to be something it is not. As always, I admire the Coens for going so out there and not caring if they lose a majority of viewers along the way. It features incredibly vivid characters in unbelievable situations. Is it lacking something more? Of course, but it’s still a ton of fun.
The film is a story of mistaken identity on steroids. Jeff Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), aka The Dude, is a stoner stuck in the 1960s. He doesn't work, doesn't really change his clothes often, and spends all of his spare time bowling with his friends, the loud and proud Vietnam vet Walter (John Goodman) and the mild-mannered bonehead Donny (Steve Buscemi). One evening, The Dude is accosted in his own home by two men looking for a The Big Lebowski (David Huddleston), one of Los Angeles's wealthiest businessmen.
After the crooks soil his carpet (which perfectly complements the room), The Dude sets up a meeting with this other Lebowski to settle the debt. Things don't exactly go as planned, but shortly afterward, The Big Lebowski contacts The Dude again with a proposition. His wife, Bunny (Tara Reid), has been kidnapped, and he wants The Dude to deliver the $1 million ransom. The Dude obliges, but his ineptitude, combined with the ineptitude of everyone around him, causes things to veer off the tracks quickly, and no one quite knows exactly how it happened.
While the plot takes a lot of time to set up, there really isn't much of it to speak of. Once we know how the characters relate to one another, the film plays out like a series of hilarious vignettes. Everyone has a different agenda, so nothing goes as planned. It's all just a riot to watch.
This movie is far from perfect, but it is so much fun to watch that any and all flaws are forgiven. The Coens eschew plot and conventions in favor of crafting the most absurd story they can. And they definitely pull it off.
This movie is far from perfect, but it is so much fun to watch that any and all flaws are forgiven. The Coens eschew plot and conventions in favor of crafting the most absurd story they can. And they definitely pull it off.