Actor(s): Jeff Bridges; Steve Buscemi; Sam Elliott; Flea; Ben Gazzara; John Goodman; Philip Seymour Hoffman; David Huddleston; Dom Irrera; Julianne Moore; Jon Polito; Leon Russom; Peter Stormare; David Thewlis; John Turturro; Tara Reid; Aimee Mann
Director(s): Joel Coen
Publisher: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Binding: HD DVD
Brand: Universal
Language(s): English, French
EAN: 0025193290427
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Movie Description
After the tight plotting and quirky intensity of Fargo, this casually amusing follow-up from the prolifically inventive Coen (Ethan and Joel) brothers seems like a bit of a lark, and the result was a box-office disappointment. The good news is, The Big Lebowski is every bit a Coen movie, and its lazy plot is part of its laidback charm. After all, how many movies can claim as their hero a pot-bellied, pot-smoking loser named Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) who spends most of his time bowling and getting stoned? And where else could you find a hairnetted Latino bowler named Jesus (John Turturro) who sports dazzling purple footgear, or an erotic artist (Julianne Moore) whose creativity consists of covering her naked body in paint, flying through the air in a leather harness, and splatting herself against a giant canvas? Who else but the Coens would think of showing you a camera view from inside the holes of a bowling ball, or an elaborate Busby Berkely-styled musical dream sequence involving a Viking goddess and giant bowling pins? The plot--which finds Lebowski involved in a kidnapping scheme after he's mistaken for a rich guy with the same name--is almost beside the point. What counts here is a steady cascade of hilarious dialogue, great work from Coen regulars John Goodman and Steve Buscemi, and the kind of cinematic ingenuity that puts the Coens in a class all their own. Be sure to watch with snacks in hand, because The Big Lebowski might give you a giddy case of the munchies. --Jeff Shannon
After the tight plotting and quirky intensity of Fargo, this casually amusing follow-up from the prolifically inventive Coen (Ethan and Joel) brothers seems like a bit of a lark, and the result was a box-office disappointment. The good news is, The Big Lebowski is every bit a Coen movie, and its lazy plot is part of its laidback charm. After all, how many movies can claim as their hero a pot-bellied, pot-smoking loser named Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) who spends most of his time bowling and getting stoned? And where else could you find a hairnetted Latino bowler named Jesus (John Turturro) who sports dazzling purple footgear, or an erotic artist (Julianne Moore) whose creativity consists of covering her naked body in paint, flying through the air in a leather harness, and splatting herself against a giant canvas? Who else but the Coens would think of showing you a camera view from inside the holes of a bowling ball, or an elaborate Busby Berkely-styled musical dream sequence involving a Viking goddess and giant bowling pins? The plot--which finds Lebowski involved in a kidnapping scheme after he's mistaken for a rich guy with the same name--is almost beside the point. What counts here is a steady cascade of hilarious dialogue, great work from Coen regulars John Goodman and Steve Buscemi, and the kind of cinematic ingenuity that puts the Coens in a class all their own. Be sure to watch with snacks in hand, because The Big Lebowski might give you a giddy case of the munchies. --Jeff Shannon
Universal Big Lebowski (HD-DVD) The hilariously twisted comedy-thriller stars Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi and Julianne Moore. Join the "Dude" and his bowling buddies on their journey that blends unforgettable characters, kidnapping, a case of mistaken identity and White Russians. Enter the visually unique and entertaining world from the creative minds of the Coen brothers and remember: the Dude abides.
This is absolutely one of the worst movies i have ever seen, it tries to be funny but never once did i even come close to laughing, there are many scenes that are just worthless to the movie - like all the scenes with Julianne Moore (a good actress) who is given a bunch of ridiculous dialogue for a character the movie easily could have done without, Peter Stormare is also wasted in more garbage scenes as a German who's after Bridges, John Goodman (Bridges best friend) is embarrassing as a fat loud mouth psycho who plays his part over the top, Steve Buscemi is also wasted as a bowling partner of Bridges and Goodman, he practically has nothing to do but utter a few incoherent sentences while Goodman immediately responds by telling him to "shut up Donny". I have liked some of the Coen brothers movies but this film is truly awful and an embarrassment for everyone involved.
"Ridiculous... In A Good Way"
Written By: W. Shepler
This movie is completely ridiculous, but in a good way. My boyfriend was watching it while I was playing on the computer, but it was so entertaining that I ended up turning my game off and watching it. I definitely would consider this movie a win for the Coen Bros. You get the same intelligent humor that appears in Fargo, without the dark plot. Definitely an ecclectic cast that fits together nicely.
"The Big Lebowski"
Written By: Spider Monkey
`The Big Lebowski' is one of those films that started off small and over the years has gathered a cult like status. With Lebowski fests and often repeated phrases from the film, this has certainly entered the film goers psyche.
After `The Dude's' rug gets urinated on after a case of mistaken identity he very rapidly gets drawn into a convoluted kidnapping mystery, when all he really wants is to get a replacement rug, drink White Russians and get back to his bowling league. Not too much to ask you would think. Yet he finds himself fending off threats from all sides and tries valiantly to keep his car from being totally wrecked in the process.
Jeff Bridges is great as The Dude and plays the part spot on. His long hair, slightly vacant look and stoner drawl fit the role to a tee. John Goodman is also good as The Dudes angry Vietnam vet friend Walter and the rest of the cast turn out great performances as well. The direction is very good and the more weird dreamy scenes are especially fun to watch.
All in all this is a low key film that has risen to the top of the barrel over the years and it will keep you interested and will raise a laugh or two as you go along. There is a certain appeal to The Dude's laid back lifestyle and his charm really makes this film. Sit back and enjoy this minor cult classic.
"The Big Lebowski (Widescreen Collector's Edition) DVD"
Written By: James
This is the best edition for the money if you don't already own a different version of Lebowski, and the best edition if you are buying simply to enjoy the feature, the Coen brother's interview, and Jeff Bridges' nice black & white photo gallery, but not any collector's trinkets. Check out the reviews for all the other editions out there before you decide to buy.
This edition has the best cover art, even though I always cut them down to disc-size to fit in a soft-case pouch. The bizarre separate introduction on this disc has a ring of validity as well. Stay away from any Full-Screen versions of any features that were originally produced in a wide aspect ratio like this one.
"You are not a golfer, are you?"
Written By: H. Schneider
Hard to believe, but this is only the second time that I watched this marvellous shapeless flawed jewel of a failed master piece. I thought I must have watched it a dozen times. How else can I have told and quoted scenes and dialogues for the last 10 years? Imagine the surprise when details turn out differently from expectations, or rather from imagined recollections. This is surely not the best movie ever made by the Coens, but it is such great fun. What did the Dude say after 5 dips of his head in the toilet bowl, asked where the money was? Let me have another look, it must be in there somewhere. Or something like that. What did he say when the gangster shows him the bowling ball and asks: what is this? No, he does not say: can't you see it is a golf ball. He says what I put in the headline.
What made me watch it again today? First of all, watching Bridges as Bad Blake yesterday reminded me that I wanted to revisit Lebowski since some time. Second, I had a discussion in a comment thread around here about the fact that comedies age. Some that I remembered as hilarious from decades ago, like Polanski's vampire joke, or like Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein, have on revisit turned out to have become stale. I wanted to check if Lebowski is stale already. Good news: it isn't! But it is a mess of a movie. Never mind, invest two hours of your time and enjoy it!
![The Big Lebowski [HD DVD]](/gfx/item/B000O179EK.jpg "The Big Lebowski [HD DVD]")
"Coen Brothers Hit a Wall"
"Ridiculous... In A Good Way"
"You are not a golfer, are you?"
