My Favorite Movies -- The Big Lebowski (1998)

I must admit, after the love I had for Fargo, Lebowski didn't really strike me as anything special. It took about my third viewing and numerous people telling me to check it out again, before I finally "got" The Big Lebowski for what it was. It is really quite a fun movie, over-quoted, over-adopted by every stupid, drunken frat-boy. I think in another 10 years Lebowski will fall off the radar of all of the hanger-ons, but will remain beloved by many many movie fans. There is so much dialogue and character-driven goodness to have here. Many of the usual Coen "tricks" are present.... the bungled crime, the misunderstandings, the violence. So, what sets this apart? In the same way Blue Velvet is almost the unintentional perfect 80's movie... Lebowski is the perfect 90's movie. You have the character of "the Dude" stumbling through the all the manipulations and schemes of those around him... and he just wants to stay happy and oblivious. He just wants his White Russian, a good game of bowling, a comfortable bathrobe, and his rug back. So, here's this slacker Mr. Magoo icon somehow "abiding" through all of the chaos.


Key elements:

Inspired soundtrack -- everything from Kenny Rogers to Gypsy Kings

Inspired performances -- notably Jeff Bridges and John Goodman

Crazy casting -- how many movies can boast Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tara Reid, and Aimee Mann, and Flea??

Bravura moments -- Hotel California bowling sequence, bowling with Saddam dream sequence , any scene with the nihilists, Log Jammin', spreading the ashes , numerous Viet Nam rants.

jesus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX8cJ3PBzZs&feature=related