The Big Lebowski

Joel Coen (1998)

112min

18 Certificate

Review

Our Score

by Adrian Turner

While not in the same class as the Coen brothers' previous film, Fargo, this goofy tribute to Raymond Chandler and film noir (particularly The Big Sleep) still comes gift-wrapped with enough good lines, ingenious plot twists and eccentric characters to satisfy their dedicated army of fans. There are, in fact, two Lebowskis: one is Jeff Bridges, who calls himself "the Dude", an ageing hippy who becomes embroiled in the kidnapping of the other Lebowski's wife, aided and abetted by tenpin bowling chum John Goodman. What follows is an insane labyrinth of plot and counterplot that encompasses the drug and porn underworlds, Busby Berkeley fantasies and bath-time with a savage marmot. It's a distinctive, crazy treat, decked out with a trademark film noir narration and marvellous performances from Bridges, the toothsome and taciturn Steve Buscemi, and Coen regular Goodman, who based his Vietnam-veteran character on the bear-like writer/director John Milius.

Summary

A case of mistaken identity forces an ageing hippie to divide his time between trying to win a bowling tournament and searching for a wealthy industrialist's kidnapped wife, while getting involved with assorted oddball characters in the process. The Coen brothers' comedy, starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, David Huddleston, Philip Seymour Hoffman and John Turturro.

Cast & Crew

Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski Jeff Bridges

Walter Sobchak John Goodman

Maude Lebowski Julianne Moore

Donny Steve Buscemi

The Big Lebowski David Huddleston

Brandt Philip Seymour Hoffman

Jesus Quintana John Turturro

Bunny Lebowski Tara Reid

Jackie Treehorn Ben Gazzara

The stranger Sam Elliott

Nihilist Peter Stormare

Nihilist Flea

Nihilist Torsten Voges

Knox Harrington David Thewlis

Private snoop Jon Polito

Marty Jack Kehler

Treehorn thug Philip Moon

Treehorn thug Mark Pellegrino

Older cop Richard Gant

Malibu Police Chief Leon Russom

Nihilist woman Aimee Mann

Director Joel Coen

Other Information

Language: EnglishColourTheatrical distributor: Park CircusGuidance: Violence, swearing and drug abuseAvailable on: video, DVD and Blu-rayReleased on: 24 Sep 2018

Comedy

Full Episode Guide