The Big Lebowski is more than a movie.

I can never put into words how much this movie means to me.

It is impossible for me to judge The Big Lebowski on a clinical cinematic level; yes the Coen's directing is flawless, it's wonderfully shot by legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins & so meticulously edited that it never misses a beat, but it is more than that. The Big Lebowski is more than a movie, it is an attitude, it is a lifestyle, it IS a character.

What separates it from similar comedies or other stoner movies is its ingenious characterizations. I will and have always maintained that this is one of the great character movies. You have to look into cinematic masterpieces like The Godfather, Raging Bull or There will be Blood to find better characterization of the titular character. The Big Lebowski isn't necessarily funny because of its jokes or comedic ideas. It is funny, because it has funny characters. It's funny because of its characters.

Even more so than any other Coen brothers movie this feels as if it takes place in a semi transcendent universe. A universe that is equal to ours yet contains something weirdly off beat. It's the perfect stoner movie because it's characters are specifically written and acted in the way you would perceive people around you when you're high. Just look at David Thewlis giggling weirdo, or Julianne Moore's confused femme fatale, or basically everything the amazing Philip Seymour Hoffman does.
John Goodman's Walter Sobchak may very well be the most memorable and iconic supporting character ever. A hyper aggressive, stubborn, boisterously confident 'Nam Vet who despite the terrible consequences of his actions, still happens to be unflinchingly caring and loving for his friends.
Never better have writers managed to induce side characters with this much life and energy as the Coen's have in this case. The magnificent standout being John Turturro's legendary Jesus.
The only character that feels remotely normal is the beach community cop.
A diverse and nothing short of terrific soundtrack accompanies you through the beautifully confusing world of bowling, rugs, weed, White Russians, nihilists & the likes of Jackie Treehorn.

When I say that The Big Lebowski is more than a movie, it's a lifestyle and attitude, I don't mean that people loving this movie are like The Dude or dream of being like The Dude.
Yet it can't be denied that His Dudeness or El Duderino is so set apart from anything we've come to expect from movie protagonists. Societies rules don't apply to him, and not because he's someone like Tyler Durden, but because of his utter and complete selflessness. This, and his enjoyment of masculine comfort. He simply has no responsibilities and is living a life without consequence. A man that is true to everyone around him and especially himself.

The Dude abides. I don't know about you, but I take comfort in that.

Everybody does.
And speaking of Sam Elliot, I can't remember a cooler movie narration than this.

I have always found the ending bits to be weirdly moving. And now after having watched it numerous times I can't stop but feel emotionally overwhelmed whenever we're closing out.
You have laughed with and loved these characters so much that you're sad you're minutes away from saying goodbye. I'll mention Donny simply because I haven't done so in this review and say that his death, while being surrounded by lots of funny moments, is genuinely heartbreaking.

It's also so intricately layered and structured that even after endless re watches I sometimes still struggle to remind myself of what's about to come. Its deliberate hyper complex plot adds to the sheer chaos and otherworldliness.
I could've just named my favorite quotes and then I realized that this would probably take even longer than what I've already written now. The Big Lebowski is endlessly quotable. It's endlessly re watchable. It's enormous, weird fun. You can laugh at how the Dude talks, you can laugh at how Walter walks, you can laugh at how wonderfully subversive and strange every other character is.

The Dude is a movie character like no other. The Big Lebowski is a movie like no other.

Submitted September 20, 2019 at 08:44PM by IngobernableACE https://ift.tt/2M3Fz3k