The Big Lebowski

Of course, you must realize that that's just, like, your opinion. Man.

Just a cult classic. Jeff Bridges IS The Dude, he does such a fantastic job I can't imagine anyone else playing the role. The whole film is populated with great performances, hell, even Tara Reid shined for one brief moment.

'Jackie Treehorn treats objects like women, man'

'Hey man, I've had a bad day and I hate the fuckin' eagles'

This totally gets better with each viewing. The Dude, Walter and Jesus have gotten quoted so often that some of my current favorite lines come from other characters like The Big Lebowski ("The bums will always lose!"); Brandt ("Well, Dude, we just don't know."), Maude ("Sex. The physical act of love. Coitus. Do you like it?"), even the Malibu Police Chief ("I don't like you sucking around, bothering our citizens, Lebowski. I don't like your jerk-off name. I don't like your jerk-off face. I don't like your jerk-off behavior, and I don't like you, jerk-off.")

This is a perfect film from start to finish. I can never get enough of it.

Not to mention the little "leads" monologue from the impound cop and one of the funniest car crashes on film.

"Probably a vagrant slept in the car. Or maybe just used it as a toilet and moved on."

What happened to the spinoff film with Jesus Quintana?
The guy who plays him (John Turturro?) mentioned that the Coens had plans to make a Jesus film!
"Don´t fuck with the Jesus, man".

Of course, I had to watch it 3, maybe even 4 times before I began to truly enjoyed it. Hell, I almost took it back after the first viewing without a second.

I have friends that love the film but when I first insisted "you gotta watch this," their reactions were "So, basically it's a completely pointless movie" and "so, is it supposed to be this stupid?"

One of the greatest movies ever, hyperbole be fucked.

Though I'd have titled it, "Shut the Fuck Up, Donny".

Hey, nice marmot!

Watched this again at the beginning of the month when two of my student workers told me they hadn't ever seen this movie.

This film does indeed get better and more enjoyable with repeat viewings and the Coen Bros. are some of the best comedy writers out there.

I have the dubious distinction of being perhaps the only person to see this film and intensely dislike it. Easily my least favorite Coen Brothers film (although I still haven't seen the one with Tom Hanks, so who knows). I actually found the film by turns depressing and frustrating. I certainly felt no sympathy for the dude, the ever-flowing fount of his own misfortune, and yet derived no satisfaction from witnessing the innumerable indignities that he suffered. Huge points for casting Ben Gazzara though, I'll give them that much.

I think I have a hard time getting into a film where there are neither characters I like nor am even able to relate to. And I'm a major screw-up too, so I'm not trying to be all high and mighty, I just didn't really care what happened to any of the characters.

And yet, I simply am compelled to watch whenever John Turturro is on screen, definitely the best thing about the entire film. I suppose it was also nice to see the nihilists get their asses kicked....

You just described me and my dislike of Napolean Dynamite. I'm baffled as to why its so loved.

Likewise.

I have to give props to the coen bros. for their use of music in this film, from the Bob Dylan song in the credit sequence to 'Just dropped in...' they're all great choices.

Actually, the reaction to Napolean Dynamite is a lot more mixed than that toward Lebowski. With good reason.

How many times have you watched it? Seriously, the first time I saw it in theaters, I was pretty disappointed, especially in the wake of FARGO. But then I saw it again. And again. And on about the fourth time, it clicked...and clicked hard. I can't explain it. And now it just gets better and better. I dearly love this film. It's probably creeped into my top ten of all time. No kidding.

"Who the FUCK are the Knudsens???!!!"

This film is hilarious, and I certainly agree that it took more than one viewing for me to really enjoy all the little things about it that make it so funny. A lot like Office Space in that regard.

http://www.lebowskifest.com/default.asp

I would once again have to agree that this movie gets better and better. I remember I watched it for the first time with my buddy who loved it. He laughed throughout the entire movie and I merely chuckled. But now I consider it to be one of my top 5 movies.

I loved the long takes of the Dude, Walter and Donnie bowling. This movie ruin Jeff Bridges for me. When I try to watch him in another movie, I ask myself why the Dude is being so serious.

I love the scene where Maude and that creepy skinney guy start cracking up, leaving the Dude with a white Russian in one hand, and an Autoban record in the other.
"Yeah? A friend with a cleft asshole?"

It's amazing that this movie has had the same effect on so many people. Like several of you, me and my friends merely enjoyed Lebowski the first time we saw it. The second time I saw it, I liked it a little bit more, enough to purchase it (which isn't saying a whole lot considering what's in my collection). The third time, however, it hit me. The deliberate, methodical nature of the film, the genius of it, it just clicked into place and I absolutely fell in love, and I love it even more with every viewing. In fact, I'm hard pressed to think of a comedy I hold in more esteem.

It's the little things, like how when they're discussing how to get to the kid's house who stole the car they keep referring to how it's near the In and Out Burger. It's not something you'd normally notice. Then they go through the whole ordeal with the kid, and the corvette smashing, and then the scene cuts away to them driving away eating In and Out Burger... not outrageously funny, but about the 4th time I saw BL I remember bursting out into laughter at this scene after realizing the subtle intra-contextual reference.

Or how in the first scene, with The Dude in the grocery store picking up his milk, we see him glance at Bush on TV saying, "This agression will not stand", and then several scenes later he uses that same line on Lebowski in his office.

Or how when The Dude comes back to Lebowski's house, and Lebowski is in front of the fire, there's this very somber, dramatic music in the backgroud and you assume it's not diegetic, but when the Dude closes the doors on the way out the music is muffled because it was actually coming from inside the room.

God, I could go on and on about the little things (and big ones) I love in the film... but I demur for lack of time.

He fixes the cable?

"Mister Lebowski is in seclusion in the west wing!"

The dramatic flourish with which PSH delivers this line and the music just crack me up.

Pay close attention to the dialouge and you'll notice that nearly everything the Dude says is something someone else has said earlier in the film.

I am the walrus.

One of my favorite comedies of all time, and for my money,the Coens' best film. The performances are hilarious, the dialogue perfect, its a perfect portrait of an oddball, encased within a very worthy plot for him to roam in.

"Is this your homework Larry?"

"We may be bereaved but we're not saps!"

Shut the fuck up Duke, Raol.

Policeman: What was in the briefcase?

Dude: Uh papers, uh, papers, you know, business papers...

Policeman: And what do you do?

Dude: I'm unemployed.

Big bump. Hope it works. I just watched it.
Nice. I remembered most of the funny gags (Moore getting pregnant etc). Stormrare is perfect here. The Dude is incredible of course. That reminds me that when I was young I told to myself I had to try the white Russian. Never happened.
It's incredibly detailed and insane, even a little nihilist.

I almost forgot, Stormrare going from door to door to tell the neighborhood he is a molester. A classic

So much love for this flick from me, and waaay too many great quotes.

"Your name's Lebowski, Lebowski, your wife's name is Bunny."

Malibu Police Chief: I don't like your jerk-off name. I don't like your jerk-off face. I don't like your jerk-off behavior, and I don't like you, jerk-off. Do I make myself clear?

The Dude: I'm sorry, I wasn't listening.

*Police Chief throws cup at The Dude.*

The Dude: "Fuckin' Fascist!"

Also the cab scene with the Eagles song never fails to make me laugh so much. It's the perfect song for that scene.

Also when the Dude is trying to explain himself to Lebowski in the back of the limo. "A young trophy wife, in the parlance of our time."

Logjammin' best fake porno EVER.

While every second of that film cracks me up every single time, one of my favorite moments of oddball genius is when Treehorn answers the phone while The Dude's visiting, gets a very serious/intense look and scribbles something before excusing himself. Of course, The Dude uses his finely honed detective skills to discover... a crudely drawn penis.

I almost pass out from laughter every time I see that.

And the post-physical joint/ceiling-banging/car crash. Perfection.


Oh, and I'm sorry, but you can't level "hyperbole" claims at EVERY film, otherwise the word would have no correct usage. It does NOT apply to this film in any way. Fact.

My favorite little bit will always be when The Dude is nailing the plank of wood to his door to keep people from busting it open anymore...only to realize the door opens to the outside!

Perfectly timed, like everything in the movie, but it fucking FLOORS me every time with laughter.

This movie is really just about perfect, and if I made a top ten movies list, it would be in the top three, I think. But I'm kind of wary of talking about it too much, as the cult is getting huge, and I'd like Lebowski to hold on to it's outsider status as long as it can. And yes, Bridges deserved an academy award.

I've said it before on these boards, but Litmus nails it. This is the very definition of a creeper movie. I wasn't too hot on it the first time I saw it either.

Same goes for O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Hudsucker, to a lesser extent(in that I haven't grown to love those like I do Lebowski). I have a feeling the same thing will happen with Burn After Reading, but it's hard to say until I've seen it.

"He fixes the cable?" gets me giggling every time.

First time I saw it (in the cinema), I laughed a lot, but didn't think it made any sense.

Didn't really think about it a whole bunch until I saw a trailer about 6 months later on a VHS (remember those?) that showed the joint/beer/crash sequence and it completely killed me. It was the 2nd DVD I ever bought and I agree - it gets better and better. I watched it about 3 months ago with a friend who had seen it loads and his girlfriend who had never seen it and it was the most i've ever enjoyed it. Laughed form start to finish. Hard.

I can't think of a single comedy performance in the last ten years that stands up to John Goodman or Jeff Bridges in this film.

And I wish Phil Seymour Hoffman would do more roles like this from time to time.

Yes, Jesus. The early exchange with Jesus! is perfect.

Am I the only one who walked out of the theater after only one viewing already loving it? Everything about the film worked for me like gangbusters from fame one, first time. I couldn't understand what the people who saw it with me didn't like or get.

Yup its the little details as described above that make the movie for me.

I've seen this movie so many times that the bowler who blinks in slo-mo during the opening credits gets me laughing. I really can't find anything wrong with this flick.

Grabbed the new DVD this week and started feeling the love for this movie all over again. This is tied with Chinatown for my favorite film. There was a great article in Rolling Stone a couple of weeks back on a Decade of the Dude that's probably online if you want to check it out.

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/sto...de_of_the_dude

Thanks.

Probably my favorite comedy ever. I have to post this exchange, because it might be my favorite in the film...

Walter Sobchak: I'm saying, I see what you're getting at, Dude, he kept the money. My point is, here we are, it's shabbas, the sabbath, which I'm allowed to break only if it's a matter of life or death...
The Dude: Will you come off it, Walter? You're not even fucking Jewish, man.
Walter Sobchak: What the fuck are you talkin' about?
The Dude: Man, you're fucking Polish Catholic...
Walter Sobchak: What the fuck are you talking about? I converted when I married Cynthia! Come on, Dude!
The Dude: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah...
Walter Sobchak: And you know this!
The Dude: Yeah, and five fucking years ago you were divorced.
Walter Sobchak: So what are you saying? When you get divorced you turn in your library card? You get a new license? You stop being Jewish?
The Dude: It's all a part of your sick Cynthia thing, man. Taking care of her fucking dog. Going to her fucking synagogue. You're living in the fucking past.
Walter Sobchak: Three thousand years of beautiful tradition, from Moses to Sandy Koufax...
[shouting]
Walter Sobchak: You're goddamn right I'm living in the fucking past!

Saw this movie for the first time my freshman year of college. My roommate and I had rented it from the campus video store. When this part happened I just about fell off my bed (which would have probably killed me, as I was on the top bunk). We must have rewound and watched that part a good 10 times.

Karl Hungus: Greatest fake porno name ever.

Also the combination of Kenny Rogers with the shot of Sadaam Hussein giving out bowling shoes.

"I just dropped in to see what my condition my condition was in."

I remember a few months ago when CHUD ran the "You got it all wrong" column and this was included. It was a fucking travesty. I'm sorry but this is one of my all time favorites. Everyone and everything is perfect here and it never gets old no matter how many times I watch. Now I have to go out and buy the new bowling ball 10th Anniversary DVD.

Courtesy of Jeremy Smith, Beaks. It's listed as essential CHUD too. And I love the fact it's a two-hours-long comedy.

I love that picture of 2008 Bridges in the Dude sweater so much.

Do you think we'll ever see a sequel?

I dream of being financially independent and livin The Dude's lifestyle. Driving down the street, drinking a beer and smokin' a J.

Is the cop who laughs at the Dude in the car pound ("Leads? Yeah, sure. Let me just check with the crime lab. They've got three other detectives working on this. They've got us working in shifts....") one of the slow-mo bowlers in the opening credits?