The Big Lebowski

A movie by Joel Coen

With Jeff Bridges, Julianne Moore, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare and others

Monika says:

Jeff Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) or the Dude, as he likes to call himself, is a notorious loafer and spends most of his time bowling with his friends. This easy-going life comes to a sudden end when he is mistaken for a millionaire by the same name (David Huddelston) and three brutal guys break into his apartment, threaten him and to top it all pee on his rug. They don't realize that they have the wrong Lebowski.

Who goes to see a Coen movie has to be prepared for the unexpected. They never seem to run out of bizarre ideas, especially in this movie. The story isn't as complex as in FARGO. The kidnapping of Lebowski's wife Bunny that never actually happened is just an excuse for a plot, but the curiosities the movie has to offer don't let you crave for a real story. If you expect a classical comedy, however, this is not something the Coen brothers have to offer. Their taste differs widely from what is usually found in the "comedy" drawer.

Jeff Bridges shows once more what a versatile actor he really is. His beer-bellied loafer who likes to wear checkered bermudas is just as believable as last year's inhibited math professor in THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES. You don't really know whether to like him or not. He's not exactly socially acceptable nor does he want to be. But he has a really hard time to convince the sluggers that he is neither rich nor married. This is what situation comedy of the most bizarre kind is made of.

Julianne Moore knows how to deal with big guys as we have seen in THE LOST WORLD. Even if the big guy this time is only her stepfather he gives her a hard time. But she refuses to act like an obedient daughter. After all she is an independent artist and likes to do things her own way. The nice paleontologist from THE LOST WORLD cut her hair and is presented as energetic valkyrie. Her entrance is a surprise I don't want to spoil.

The rest of the cast equally adds to the entertainment of the audience. The movie is everything but politically correct and features rather strong language. The kidnappers speak with a strong German accent and their behavior and outfit don't help to win the sympathies of the audience either. You will almost feel pity for them when they are so desperate to keep up the appearance of a kidnapping that one of them has to sacrifice her toe to prove the validity of their demands.

The Dude's dream sequences are well done and one of them reminded me of a similar one in THE HUDSUCKER PROXY.

In spite of the thin plot a treat for fans of bizarre humor and a nice change from the drab fare of this year.

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Monika Hübner