Of all the cult classic films I’ve seen, “The Big Lebowski” is undoubtedly the best … that’s just, like, my opinion, man. It’s so entertaining (to me, anyway) that I don’t understand why the film has such a small, niche audience. Now, I’m not denying that “TBL” has its quirky moments and a questionable storyline – I couldn’t even begin to tell you what the plot’s about, if I’m being honest – but its clever humor, diverse characters and iconic one-liners have made the film one for the ages. Almost everyone I’ve talked to about the Dude’s (Jeff Bridges) adventures have responded with a direct quote from the film, or reference a particular scene, usually while choking back laughter. If, for any reason, “TBL” didn’t strike your fancy, then, well, you’re out of your element.
After seeing the Coen Brothers’ first box office hit “Fargo” in 1996, people expected similar things from “The Big Lebowski” when it premiered in 1998. While both films are centered around a crime scheme, their approaches are extremely different – so much so, that the films really shouldn’t be compared. For starters, “Fargo” is classified under the “crime/drama” genre, and incorporates very few comedic elements into its storyline. “TBL,” on the other hand, places a heavier emphasis on the humorous characters of The Dude and his two apprentices, Walter and Donny, and the outrageous situations they find themselves in. Like I said before, it’s almost impossible to follow “TBL’s” timeline, but that doesn’t seem to matter, as humor is definitely the most effective, memorable element of the film as a whole.
For the most part, “TBL’s” humor can be attributed to the actors themselves, as Jeff Bridges is the perfect “dude” and John Goodman plays the perfect sidekick in Walter. However, the actors wouldn’t be nearly as appealing without the Coen brothers’ clever script and sharp one-liners, which clearly reflect the characters they’re assigned to. It’s fairly obvious that The Dude is meant to be a hippie, as the stereotypical peace-loving, laid-back persona is embodied by Bridges. His unkempt hair and constant appearance in a bathrobe reek of the 1970s, when the peace movement was at its peak. The Dude’s dialect even speaks to his hippie-dippie nature, as he ends most of his sentences with “man,” “like” and, ironically, “dude.” None of his lines would be memorable without those three filler words, and the Coen Brothers kept that in mind while writing the script.
As mentioned before, “The Big Lebowski” didn’t have leave a positive impression on audiences when it first premiered in 1998, which gave it a “cult classic” reputation. 21 years later, “TBL” has become a fan favorite, as people have grown to love its unconventional nature and individualistic characters. I mean, a film that has comedic elements, musical sequences and a case of mistaken identity rarely comes along, and deserves recognition. While its storyline lacks common sense, the Coen Brothers were able to produce a comedy-musical-crime film effectively, which, I’m sure, is no easy task. To anyone watching “The Big Lebowski” for the first time, don’t pay too much attention to the plot, and appreciate the script’s humor – it really ties the film together.