The Big Lebowski

views updated

The Big Lebowski ★★★½ 1997 (R)

Jeff Lebowski (Bridges), a stuckinthe'70s stoner who insists on being called “the Dude” and loves to go bowling, is mistaken for a wheelchairbound millionaire of the same name, and suffers a beating at the hands of thugs who are after money owed by the rich Lebowski's slutty wife. Dude is drawn into kidnapping, the attempted scamming of payoff money, and more bowling. While this may seem like plotaplenty, it's mainly a showcase for the Coen brothers' unique texturing of style and quirkybutdeep characters. Goodman is loud and funny as a Vietnam vet who takes any opportunity to pull a gun or explode into DIlike obscenities. Turturro steals his scenes as a pervert rival bowler who loves skintight lilac jumpsuits and polishing his ball. The showpiece is an amazing musicalbowlingfantasy sequence that would've made Busby Berkeley proud. 117m/C VHS, DVD, HD DVD . Jack Kehler, Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, Peter Stormare, David Huddleston, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Flea, Leon Russom, Sam Elliott, John Turturro, David Thewlis, Ben Gazzara, Tara Reid; D: Joel Coen; W: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen; C: Roger Deakins; M: Carter Burwell.