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The Big Lebowski (Special Edition) [1998]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

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


Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder
Review date: 2008-01-09 Rating: 10 out of 10

It doesn't take a genius to see why this film has become a cult classic given it's satrical Raymond Chandler stylised story and offbeat humour. Of course, many viewers won't like it, but those that do see it as a classic.

Goodman excels as a sad, deluded but lovable ex-Vietnam veteran. Bridge's brilliantly juxtaposed neurotic cool dude performance apparently even surpassed the Coen brothers best expectations. Turturro makes a brief, but memorable appearance.

I am hesitant to recommend this film, because you have to see it and decide for yourself. It's either somewhat disappointing (the critics opinion), or it just hits the spot.

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Reviews


sometimes you eat the bar, sometimes the bar eats you
Review date: 2007-10-31 Rating: 10 out of 10

What really ties a movie together? Taut direction, terrific cast, well-drawn characterization, rambling narrative, immortal one-liners, offbeat plot twists, impeccable cinematography, impressive camerawork or captivating soundtrack?..... "The Big Lebowski" is rare kind of picture which blends all these elements together.

"Lebowski" is one of the typical Coen Brothers films that you will either love or hate, there is very little middle ground. Not only one of the most re-watchable movie you will ever see; but also, along with "O Brother, Where Art Thou?", it ranks as the best off-the-wall comedy brothers have made so far.

For a film about absolutely nothing, "The Big Lebowski" has everything. Yes it is weird, wildly uneven and out of reality as its protagonist: "The Dude", unmotivated, unemployed, apathetic and unapologetic L.A. slacker who wants nothing more than to bowl, to sip on White Russian, and to puff on joints now and then. The Dude, totally stuck in the 1970s counterculture, becomes the victim of mistaken identity. He eventually finds himself in the middle of a bizarre kidnapping and ransom case. As the plot unwinds, the mystery of kidnapping becomes secondary, and all attention is drawn into the quirky characters and wacky circumstances encountered by "The Dude" in his odyssey.

I credit most of the film's energy to the chemistry, especially polar opposition between the Dude and his sidekick Walter. Against the Dude's mellow, take-it-easy style, Walter is ever-pragmatic, constantly-overreacting and gun-toting character who always makes the wrong assumptions and ends up spoiling everything. Walter's misconceptions and blunders infuriate the Dude all the time and all these situations are a laugh riot.

Last word: Like so many of Coen Brother's films, there is much more going underneath. There are lots of subtle and clever details conveying some ironical social and political messages. "Lebowski" is well-filmed and well-acted commentary on the modern social condition, but this is the kind of movie it takes multiple viewings to fully appreciate and it's worth all the investment.

A little bit spaced out
Review date: 2007-08-23 Rating: 8 out of 10

A simple film of total disorganization that is supposed to be funny. It is another "Pulp Fiction", but this time in chronological cutting order. The disorganized impression comes from the totally airy and eerie behavior of the characters. One more or less fake Jew who respects Sabbath when it is practical. An unemployed idler who lives on thin air, fresh water and all kinds of little gains and benefits he can find. A third rather detached younger one who will end up with a massive heart attack on a parking lot. They all play with theirs balls, I mean their bowling balls, because that is the only profession we know they have. Then they get entangled into some kind of embezzling by some rich man who is not rich but wants to pilfer some good amount of cash from the foundation he is a trustee of and at the same time get rid of his youngish latest wife who is hardly grown out of teenage puberty, without going through a divorce. Simple when you are as naïve as dumb can be and you don't know the alpha from the beta, not to mention the omega of crime in LA where you can end up playing the angel in no time. And they manage rather well since two will survive and one will die of too much emotion. Entertaining though slightly slow at times.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine & University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne


How to write a script, how to make a movie
Review date: 2007-08-16 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is a modern day classic. Everything about this movie is clever. Set in LA, home of Hollywood, it is as far from a Hollywood movie as you can get.

"The Dude" (Jeff Bridges) has his rug p!ssed upon due to a case of mistaken identity.. the results send him on a mission of intrigue, suspense and in-and-out burgers, they're good burgers!

This is a film noir, told entirely from the dudes perspective, there is only one scene not featuring him. The plot is twisted, strange and extremely funny. The script is a masterclass in writing characters and story. The film is a masterclass in directing. Bridges, Goodman, Moore, Turturro and Buscemi are perfect.

The soundtrack is bizzare, yet fits. Featuring both Creedence (who strangely don't feature on the CD soundtrack) who the dude loves and the eagles (in hispanic form) who the dude hates.

Buy this film, at £5 it's a steal. There's a good chance you'll love it and it certainly withstands multiple viewings.

You're entering a world of pain, Smokey.
Review date: 2007-06-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

Funniest film ever made, and only the second most quotable (behind Monty Pyhthon's Life of Brian). Switch off your brains and engage your funny bones, becuase it doesn't get any better than this.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Ben Gazzara
Jack Kehler
David Thewlis
John Turturro
Jeff Bridges

Creators:
Jeff Bridges (Primary Contributor)
Ben Gazzara (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 5050582405187
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Special Edition, Widescreen,
Release date: 2006-04-03
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 113 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1998
Language: English (Original Language)

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