The Big Lebowski
5 October 2022
Directors: Joel and Ethan Coen
See
Her: The most chilled Dude on the planet finds himself in a series of unfortunate events and trying to keep his calm on his way out is threatened when he is mistakenly identified as a millionaire with the same name.
Him: The Big Lebowski directed by the Coen Brothers, about the Dude (Jeff Bridges) a nineties bum, unemployed, chill bowler caught up in a misunderstanding and tries to rise to the occasion or stoop to the depths of the rich and criminal.
Think
Her: One of the deepest easy watch., entertaining films I know. Possibly, the most famous Coen brothers film. I find the jokes and gags quite deep, despite the movie often being identified as stoner humor and being put in the likes of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Him: Along with his bowling team comprised of characters played by John Goodman and Steve Buscemi, they prepare to compete against rival Jesus (John Turturro), concurrently the Dude’s employer in a hostage swap, also called Lebowski (furthering the mistaken identity plot), his secretary played by Philip Seymor Hoffman, the hostage’s boyfriend portrayed by Peter Stomare and the hostage’s husband’s daughter portrayed by Julianne Moore. Through everyone’s incompetence a no-hoper like the Dude abides to navigate a criminal conspiracy in L.A.
Feel
Her: Agree that this is probably the most easy watch Coen’s movie. Even the death of Steve Buscemi’s character despite being the most heartfelt moment turns into a dark joke in the end. The Dude’s attitude to life is somewhat contagious in its ‘no worriesness’ but if even he can’t forgive a person pissing on his rug then who can?
Him: Nothing. What was the point? None. But the Cohen’s are original and singular talents, the details of the Dudea iconic and idiosyncratic from the ruge that ties the room together, Pendleton cardigan, drinking white russians, to bowling etiquette and dream dance sequences. I liked Sam Elliot’s the Stranger he speaks with and the films narrator who ties disparate parts together, bookending the narrative. Sometimes it’s strikes. Sometimes gutters. Big Lebowski is gutters.
