The Big Lebowski: Spotlight & Examination of Characters
The Big Lebowski (1998)
If there's a better film with Jeff Bridges in the leading role — I'm absolutely sure — I don't know what it is. 'The Big Lebowski' is a mind-bending, hilarity inducing, neo-noir crime-dramedy with nihilistic and absurd overtones, and some pretty absurd nihilists as well.
What I mean to say is this; the movie is bizarre – in the best kind of way.
The Coen. Bros directed this underground hit, which went on to become one of the most popular cult films ever made. 'The Big Lebowski' may even have spawned an entire culture of hipsters, ushering in the era of beard wax and men's shaving clubs. It's a film that screams "quirky" in a way that lets you know it's not f**cking around. If you expected a straight-up narrative with formulaic characters and archetypes, look somewhere else.
These characters are all horribly flawed, non-traditional, and subvert your expectations at every chance.
The writing; pure brilliance in bringing these different individuals to life on screen. "The Dude" being the central figure in this menagerie of eccentricities receives the most amount of attention. Jeff Bridges delivers an universally memorable turn as Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski — utilizing every tool in his actor's repertoire to affect the audience with his creative imagining of this one-of-a-kind man.
Characters/Cast
The Dude (Jeff Lebowski)/Jeff Bridges:
A lackadaisical man, unemployed – and looking to stay that way. He spends most of his days bowling at the local alley and drinking white-russians — seemingly unconcerned with progressing any further than he already is. "The Dude" is our unlikely protagonist, his apathy is illustrated by a generally unkempt appearance; unshaven, unwashed, and assuredly high on marijuana. Funnily enough – weed isn't shown until over halfway through the runtime — but it's safe to say our main character was using it off-screen the whole time. Why else would he squint like that?
Walter/John Goodman:
"The Dude's" right-hand man and confidante. Walter is an ex-Vietnam veteran who's PTSD keeps manifesting in increasingly hilarious and disturbing ways, causing "The Dude" a righteous amount of frustration. Walter and Jeff Lebowski comprise two-thirds of their league bowling team, along with Donny – the third member. Walter is angrier than most orthodox Jews (he's originally Polish-Catholic, but converted when he married his ex-wife) and at one point in the film he threatens a man with a gun — all over a bowling game. He is, more often than not, guilty of conflating nearly every situation with his military experience in Vietnam — which he pronounces simply: 'Nam. His actions result in a cascade of shit whenever he attempts to help "The Dude" in his quest to recuperate funds for his peed-on rug.
John Goodman is mesmerizing in this role. He may be the greatest comedic actor of our time, especially considering he doesn't always do comedy.
Donny/Steve Buscemi:
The third part of the bowling team:
Donny, The Dude and Walter's longtime pal.
Not a lot is known about Donny from his time on screen, mainly due to Walter telling him to "shut the fuck up" more times than necessary throughout the film. I take it back, it's totally necessary. These are easily the funniest moments in 'The Big Lebowski', a running gag borne from pure simplicity. Every time there's a serious conversation taking place between Walter and "The Dude", Donny interjects with meaningless observations — and Walter yells expletives while demanding that he shut his f*cking mouth.
Comedy gold.
Bunny/Tara Reid:
Jeffrey "Big" Lebowski's newlywed wife, half his age, and promiscuous to no end. Upon meeting "The Dude" she offers him oral sex in exchange for a cool $1000 — only to be immediately rebuked by Lebowski's assistant. She has a professional history with the porn mogul Jackie Treehorn, which is revealed partway through the film. The main mystery revolves around Bunny's kidnapping and "The Dude's" unwilling involvement.
Asst. to The Big Lebowski/Phillip Seymour Hoffman:
A smaller role for Phillip Seymour Hoffman but one that helped his career take off, nonetheless. Jeffrey Lebowski's assistant, often acting as the messenger and liaison to "The Dude" during the whole kidnapping ordeal. Comes off as nervous and anxious; possibly introverted.
Jackie Treehorn:
An aging mogul in the adult film industry. He is a past employer of Bunny's — unbeknownst to her husband, The Big Lebowski. Jackie Treehorn hosts some of the most exclusive parties at his beachfront mansion.
Jeffrey "Big Lebowski"/David Huddleston:
A philanthropist and mega-rich man. Jeffrey Lebowski seems like an oil tycoon from the 1800s, his way of speech, dress, and mannerisms, all scream obsolescence. He comes from "old money" and yet presents himself like a self-starter — someone who pulled himself up by the bootstraps. It is clear that he has no intention of repaying "The Dude" for a rug that he ostensibly owes him for. It is only when he requires our protagonists assistance does he offer him anything of value. Initially he gives the man a tirade for simply "looking like a vagabond or bum"
and "expecting a handout like his whole generation". Throughout the film we are treated to these outbursts from "The Big Lebowski" towards "The Dude" and they are increasingly articulate — his scathing takedowns are seriously engrossing to listen to and watch.
My hat's off to David Huddleston. Dynamo performance as the eponymous "Big Lebowski".
Maude Lebowski/Julianne Moore:
A high society type; experimental artist and daughter of "The Big Lebowski". She's exquisitely beautiful and well aware of this. Reveals facts to "The Dude" about the inner workings of the Lebowski estate. Her negative opinion of her father causes "The Dude" and her to hit it off soon after meeting each other. Maude is a yuppie; The after effect of hippies of the 60s love revolution — the same time period that still dominates "The Dude's" way of thinking. In a way, they are two sides of the same coin. She's a postmodernist with intellectual values and a deep disdain for laissez faire capitalism. He's an aging rocker — who chooses to rebel against the system in the only way he knows how: lethargy.
Nihilists:
A crew of ex-musicians who Bunny is known to frequent the local hotspots with. They are involved in the kidnapping plot, and associates of Jackie Treehorn.
Jesus Quintana/John Turturro:
A side character with a very questionable past — he provides a secondary antagonist for the B-story, challenging the bowling team as their strongest competition.
Narrator/Sam Elliot:
A cowboy that narrates the film. He chooses to break the fourth wall towards the climax of the piece.
NOTES:
-full minute long extended two-shot when the bowling team is introduced. Shows the skill of the director and allows the audience to experience the conversation as an active participant.
-Surreal music sequence adds a layer of abstract motifs, images; more artistic vision than (some) other Coen Brothers films. Risky choice — paid off in the end.
-Commentary on the art-world intellectuals/elites vs wealth-based elitism
Themes
Sex/Erotica, Classism, Nihilism, Friendship/Sports, Art vs Entertainment, Pacifism
