Calling all disciples of the Dude, man. Your attention is directed to this essay on The Big Lebowski by the dude himself, Jeff Bridges. Taken from the foreword of the upcoming Big Lebowski fan guide, I’m a Lebowski, You’re a Lebowski, it really ties the room together.
Here’s Bridges on the notion of the Dude as Zen Master: "For me, the Dude has a certain type of wisdom. I like to call it the ‘Wisdom of Fingernails’: the wisdom that gives you the ability to make your hair and fingernails grow, your heart beat, your bowels move. These are things that we know how to do, but we don’t necessarily know how we know how to do them, yet still we do them very well. And that to me is very Dude."
The Big Lebowski is the Coen brothers’ finest effort — better than Fargo, better than Miller’s Crossing, better than O Brother, Where Art Thou? Anybody feel like disagreeing?
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No. No, you’re right.
“Fargo” and “Raising AZ” are both far better than “Lebowski”
“Fargo” is one of the most overrated films of the past several decades.
After enjoying previous Coen brothers movies like Barton Fink, Fargo and Raising Arizona (all great), The Big Lebowski was The Big Letdown for me. It seemed hollow, like an exercise in weirdness for the sake of weirdness. Their previous movies did have their share of odd characters and situations, but at the core of these movies were recognizable emotions and desires. TBL lacks that core, and comes off as soulless and empty.
Actually, (yell at me, it’s okay) The Big Lebowski is the only one of those movies that I enjoy. Can’t get much better than The Dude.
Wow. Some people really think that Lebowski is better than Barton Fink? Better than Raising Arizona? Better than Miller’s Crossing? Some people really think Fargo sucks?
It’s tough to compare weird noir with weird comedy, but the Coens have several great comedies to their credit. While I do love the Dude, my opinion is that the manic absurdity of Raising Arizona outshines Lebowski’s implied-druggy philosophy.
I think Raising Arizona and Blood Simple are better than Lebowski
Gregory should take up this issue with Owen the movie critic, who gave Lebowski a B-
I don’t know if it’s objectively the best, or better executed, film. But it’s by far my favorite. The dude abides is my life motto.
I give all kinds of love to Lebowski, and agree with the posters who find “Fargo” overrated (I enjoy it, but it’s a bit overly-revered by some). However, when you want to talk about the Coens as masters of batsh*t weirdness, there are only two films to discuss: Lebowski, and The (much underrated) Hudsucker Proxy.
The Big Lebowski is very, very good, but Raising Arizona is my favorite
You’re kidding, right? “Fargo” and “Raising Arizona” and “Blood Simple” – all better then “Lebowski”.
- kch, http://moviedearest.blogspot.com/
How can one choose? They are all so equally great that to choose a favorite is an exercise in futility. That’s my humble opinion.
Raising Arizona is by far the best constructed, best acted, and best scripted Coen Brothers film. Ever. I have seen everything they’ve done since then and nothing has changed my mind. It is absolutely always my #1 film whenever anyone asks me what my top five movies are. Always. I teach film, so I’ve seen a LOT of them. Raising Arizona is the best. OK then.
Fargo is a masterpiece.
Big Lebowski is my least favorite Coen Bros. movie and I hated The Dude.
Wow- no one’s seen Barton Fink I guess.
Oh yeah- I really enjoy The Man Who Wasn’t There, too.
Loved all the Coen brothers films, my primary favorites were The Man Who Wasn’t There and The Big Lebowski.
Anyone make it to THE Lebowskifest in Louisville last weekend?
Great characters, could not have better actors to play those parts. John Goodman was amazing as Walter Sopechek….very UNDERRATED in my opinion.
coincidentally i got to see this in a theater this past weekend (thank you retro movies!) and the genious of this movie is it’s subtlety. it’s comedy is not in-your-face- obvious. it’s the little lines like “hey man, this is a private residence” and “i can get you a toe by 3 o’clock”. it’s the sheet absurdity involved that make the movie for me. and it doesnt have nicolas cage in it, which is almost always a plus…
*sheer absurdity
In my opinion, Raising Arizona is and always will be by far the best Coen Brothers movie, the best comedy film and the best movie ever made. Hasn’t wavered from that position since I first saw it 20 years ago.
That’s meant as no disrespect on the Dude, though. TBL is a fine film, likely the Coen Bros. second best.
I’m a huge fan of the Coen Brother. Raising Arizona, Fargo, Barton Fink are great movies. I was bored by The Big Lebowski. What a disappointment.
Kirschling, you and I ususally disagree on stuff, but here we’ve found common ground. Much as I loved the over the top midwestern accents of “Fargo” (this comes from a former Wisconsinite), and the underappreciated stylings of Miller’s Crossing, no Coen Brothers movie has ever appealed to me the way their stoner-iffic Dude does in Lebowski.
From the wonderfully flawed characters to the people they are based on (“World of Pain” guy is based on the director of “red dawn”, Lebowski’s based on some producer friend of the Coens), everything about that movie’s kept me fascinated for years.
And the biggest irony of all this? I can’t bowl better than a 78. that’s right world, EP Sato is an AWFUL bowler.
It was a great film and as the years past it has stood the test of time I think.
Better than “Fargo”…well ??? not much in the idea of a “morality tale”..but by far the
best John Goodman performance to date on film and
many, many classic Cohn brothers moments.
I personally think Lebowski is their best too, but I can see how it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
I think that sometimes, when discussing what the Coens’ Bros. (or any other director’s) finest film is, the inclination is to discount Lebowski (and even Raising Arizona sometimes) because of the bias against comedies. So, some people go with Fargo or Miller’s Crossing, or Barton Fink (all of which are brilliant by the way), because they’re more respectable choices.
In the end, birdgirl is right…we’re really splitting hairs over which one is THE BEST because they’re all terrific. I love, Barton, Miller’s, Raising, Fargo, O Brother, haven’t seen The Man Who Wasn’t There. Also, I haven’t seen anyone mention it, but I think The Hudsucker Proxy was extremely well done and very funny.
YES. The Big Lebowski is the funniest, quirkiest, and best of the Coen brothers movies. I’ve seen Fargo, Raising Arizona, Barton Fink, Miller’s Crossing, etc., and yet this is the one I always come back to. Fargo was overrated in my opinion. Miller’s Crossing is always hailed to be an unappreciated classic, and it bored me (and I NEVER get bored in movies). Most of the other Coen movies are good, but this classic has so many memorable moments, oddball characters, great writing…a crowning achievement by the Coens.
The Dude is in my top 1 or 2 movies of all times… the directing is top-notch, the scenes histerical (Ralph’s grocery comes to mind), but it’s, as another posting said, the subtleties in the dialog that you remember long after the movie has finished playing that I enjoy most. Words and phrases like, “ludicrous” and “Well, that’s just your opinion man.” bring a smile to my face every time. F-it dude, let’s go bowling.