The Big Lebowski has a devout online following, as befits this sort of film.
It is, not to put too fine a point on it, a cult film.
By which of course I mean that it's entirely possible to get sucked right
into the story and the ethos of the main character, one Jeff Lebowski (Jeff
Bridges). Known as The Dude, he is caught up with his friend Walter (John
Goodman) in a surreal tale of extortion, violence, guns, and bowling.
Directors and writers the Coen Brothers
have spun another peculiar tale here. The Dude himself never really gets his
head what the heck is going on, bumbling from one surreal situation to another,
mostly just trying to get his carpet repaired. Along the way a couple of other
Coen regulars turn up, not least of whom is Steve Buscemi as another of the
Dude's regular bowling buddies.
Just for good measure, there are some surreal dream sequences as well.
Strange, moving, entertaining, confusing, but eminently watchable. But I
advise you, don't get too confused - just copy the Dude and
relax.
