OK, let's clear up the air, I don't dislike or even hate this film. It is creative, funny (or, dare I say it, a comedy great) and at the very least entertainingly memorable. But what is with that story. There are people who ponder and read deep into the meanings of Lebowski and what the character/film represents, but whats the point? I ask you, What is so great about the story, why is it considered such a classic and what is the moral of our story at the very end?
I suppose we should examine the story, if you can follow or even find/pick one. The Dude (AKA Jeffrey Lebowski), played by Jeff Bridges, is a simple man, with a simple life and simple tastes. He lives, just as Red from Shawshank put's it, a life of protocol. Drink White Russian, go bowling, smoke a J, take a bath. And that's it, nothing really to it. All of this is upset, when the Dude is roped in on a wild goose chase involving a stuffy millionaire of the same name, his trophy wife, a group of German Nihilists, a seedy pornographic producer and the estranged daughter of the Big Lebowski. But those are just the ones involved in the mystery. We also have a Vietnam vet. Walter, confused but well meaning Donny, the mysterious stranger and eccentric bowler Jesus (sorry, pronounce it Jay-zous). And from here it's anyone's guess what happens, as what we get is a clusterf**k of stories and plot twists. And you know what, this all could have been avoided if they just spoke clearly and finished their sentences.
I have watched this movie twice in two weeks (sorry about last week, I just really needed to get my head around this movie) and I still don't think I have seen everything in it. I know the story and it's outcome, but what allows for re-watch-ability is the comedy, the characters and the Dude himself. I don't think I have ever seen a character of this caliber to be so mixed in terms of being completely dense, yet working out the whole evil plan, to be so lazy, yet constantly running about the town doing tasks others would be more fit to perform. In fact he even says it, when he speaks to Mr Lebowski he refers to himself as a loser and then proudly confirming it.
But as I said, the side characters are memorable. But for some reason they are either hilariously weird or a complete asshole. Why? Well, my favorites would have to be Walter(John Goodman), Maude Lebowski (Julianne Moore) and Jesus (John Turturro). Each have their own little quirks. For example, Walter is the macho, veteran of Vietnam and is constantly making everything about his sacrifice in 'Nam', despite the fact he comes as more childish and hot-headed than actually helping the situation progress (I dare say, he actually worsens the situation due to his involvement). Maude is much more straightforward and to the point. Her comedy comes from her bluntness and living like a hipster who recently won the lottery, creating bat-shit crazy art and reacting to the overall situation with a nonchalant attitude known normally to the dude. Then there is Jesus, who even though he has only eight minutes of screen time, he is having probably the most fun. Shouting and thrusting each which ever way he wants. John Turturro, whom you will see in more broader roles like "Do the Right thing, Transformers and O Brother, Where art thou?"
The sheriff of California, Jackie Treehorn, Mr Lebowski, the thugs, the German Nihilist's and that damned taxi driver (I never heard any Eagles music, so you know what, screw the Eagles you asshole) are all unnecessarily cruel. And I started getting a sort of theme. Those dream sequences are so over the top, that his whole life is practically dream like and meeting these assholes and weirdo's is sort of like a wake up call. He needed to enter the real world and it is a unrelenting and unfair society. Another reason I believe people really like it is because of the sense of continuity to it. Life goes on whether you like it or not and sometimes, for some people, no lessons are learned and these mistakes will be repeated again in the future. But it does irritate me how it lacks a proper resolution to all the problems and I feel just like I did at the end of Twin Peaks. But it's there that I realize, I have missed the moral of the story. Just go with the flow. Don't take life so seriously. A lot may see this as a negative message, but the story is clever enough to show a really stressful time that "taking it easy" is probably the best reaction to have. I can see why it has it's own order, because it struck the balance between take it easy and be very concerned.
I then saw what makes it such a good movie. It is so abstract. You can examine and come up with any result just by watching it. And beauty is, as they say, in the eye of the beholder. So I don't find it a masterpiece, but I do see why others find it as such. Not to mention the fact that it took more liberties as an indie film to promote the use of as an art form as well as a form of entertainment. And Hey if the dude abides, then I can take comfort in that. Of course when I say it's abstract, I mean it is a good film and it should be examined. It's a generated anomaly that rarely occurs and if you don't like it...well you know, that's just, like, your opinion man.
Here's just a taste of how impressive it is.
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