Review of The Big Lebowski (1998) by Andrewburge — 09 Sep 2018

Whoever dismisses this film as one which cannot manage its plot and overcomplicates itself, is actually overcomplicating him-or-herself, or is too conventionally ordered to actually enjoy this extravagant and flowing masterpiece.

The Coen Brothers (Joel and Ethan) and their 'Big Lebowski' are laughing and isolating themselves from the dependence on a plot to make a film function. This is not about plot. This is not about what happens to "that poor girl... that poor sl*t!!" which "kidnapped herself". This is not about a means to an ending. This is about style, attitude, flow and pure conversational experimentation. The three 'stooges' of this film are Theodore Donald 'Donny' Kerabatsos (Steve Buscemi), Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) and, of course, The Dude or "Duder, El Duderino or His Dudeness", you know, in case you're not into the whole "brevity thing". They are three buddies enjoying bowling. Their personalities are incredibly original and thorough. The Dude is a man with no past and no future. That is because he lives in the present; a slacker taking life as it goes, meanwhile Walter is a Vietnam veteran and is really hard to forget. They get drawn into a kidnapping plot involving rich people, feminists, performance artists, porn directors and nihilists. Donny is more of a filler to the trio. He is constantly ignored, told to shut up by Walter. Yet he pays no mind. He is happy to just be among them. He is so devout of personality that he is interesting.

As I said, the plot is mercilessly deconstructed. Although, believe it or not, it all started when some goon urinated on The Dude's rug. There are continuous set-pieces which feel isolated, there are plot holes, lack of cohesion but all among them we are carried by a smooth, funny, balanced, rhythmic pace. The Coen Brothers take the plot in so many directions that it becomes obvious that they are doing it intentionally. Their visual style is eclectic, elegant yet not opulent, the characters are weird, intriguing and their interactions is something to behold. They confuse each other, over-complicate themselves.

There is a scene in which The Dude is called upon to the mansion of a rich man. Brandt (Philip-Seymour Hoffman), his assistant, opens the twins door to the old man's room in a theatrical manner. He stands in the middle and dramatically pushes them away. There is explosive symphonic music filling the room. The man stands in front of the fire-place and contemplates at his mistakes. The opulence and grandeur of this scene was completely changed by the Coen Brother's hyperbolic approach to it. But its attitude was not reduced at all. Comedy often has a way of humiliating things. Here, it is bizarre and even pretentious.

'The Big Lebowski' is paradoxical in its approach. Its comedy is humiliating yet hyperbolic and proud. It takes a natural talent to balance it perfectly. Its sublime flow and abstinence rises above all conventions. Its surreal scenery is a visual delight. And throughout all this complex script and the sheer amount of quotable lines, The Dude rises itself above all criticisms; the independent deadbeat. And like The Dude, this film is constructed in such an anarchistic manner that it revolts against all standards and simply enjoys itself.