The Big Lebowski

The Big Lebowski (Limited Edition) [Blu-ray Book + Digital Copy] (1998)

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

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Movie of All Time, August 11, 2011

By 

Alan Montgomery (Durham, NC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Big Lebowski [HD DVD] (HD DVD)

Watch this movie one time and you'll probably not like it. Watch it again and you'll think it has a few funny moments. Watch it about 5 more times and you'll realize you're watching a masterpiece.

This is one of the most deceptively clever, funny, deep and interesting movies ever. It should not be surprising that it has a huge cult following of die hard Lebowskis.

I don't see a need to give a synopsis as the actions in the movie aren't what is important - they will probably seem disjointed and irrelevant the first time you watch it so try not to pay too much attention to them.

Please, watch this movie at least 3 times before you try to classify it and you'll love it.

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