Award Contenders

   I guess that The Stranger (Sam Elliot) puts it best, “The Dude abides.  I don’t know about you but I take comfort in that.  It’s good knowin’ he’s out there.  The Dude.  Takin’ ‘er easy for all us sinners.  Shoosh.”

   When trying to put my arms around the great cult classic “The Big Lebowski”, and depict why it has become such a standard and a favorite of many like me then I guess it’s best to just let the story teller tell the story.  Sam tells it like it is.  He states that there is a little “Dude” in all of us, and I think he’s right, and it’s what makes this movie what it is…a classic.

   I believe that the Coen brothers hit a home run with this one.  This ingenious film was way ahead of it’s time which is why it took years for it to sink in after bombing at the box office.  When trying to capture the true essence of this film one should not look to the plot.  The plot is of little significance and in my opinion has no bearing on the mystique of the film.  The film is character driven.  The characters are the movie.  The characters drive the humor, keep the movie flowing, and are the reasons why enthusiasts, like me, come back to the movie time and time again.  We know the lines by heart, and we recite them with such precision that you would think that we were members of some secret Dude society.  There in lies the greatness of this movie.  The film stays with you.  You laugh with it, bond with people through it, and laugh again with those same people while reminiscing about it.  It’s definitely a society where it gives you a sense of belonging and those that aren’t aware or just don’t get it are…well… like f#@$ing Nihilists*, man!

   Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) is my favorite character of the movie, and I strongly believe that he was snubbed by the Academy in his supporting role for 1998.  It could possibly be because of the movie’s March, post Oscar, release time, or maybe it’s just because they are the type that I mentioned previously who just don’t get it.  The interactions between Walter, Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), and Theodore Donald “Donny” Kerabatsos (Steve Buscemi) are what really make the movie for me.  Tie all that in with some great cameo appearances from the likes of Jesus Quintana (John Turturro) and the film becomes legendary.

   For those that haven’t already witnessed the magic, enjoy laughing, quoting lines, and some bowling every now and again then do yourself a favor, pour yourself a White Russian and see this film; and if you already have then watch it again.  In fact, you may just do yourself some justice and buy it.  I own 2 copies just in case one goes bad and I need my “Dude” fix.

   I hope you enjoy it, and if so pass the word on to others that you think might also want into the club.  “I guess that’s the way the whole durned human comedy keeps perpetuatin’ itself,” -The Stranger.

* “Nihilists believe in nothing, Donny.” – Walter Sobchak

Eric’s Rating:  8.5