Connect with us


Movies

Big Lebowski, The (1998, Jeff Bridges, John Goodman)

Published

on


Jeff ‘The Dude’ Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), an LA bum who lives for bowling, knows it’s going to be a bad day when two hoods break in, demanding money owed by his wife (‘Does this place look like I’m fucking married? The toilet seat’s up, man!’), rough him up and piss on his rug (‘That rug really tied the room together’). He finds he’s been mixed up with Jeff ‘The Big Lebowski’ Lebowski (David Huddleston) and goes to the millionaire’s house seeking compensation for his ruined rug. But instead, ‘The Dude’ learns that his namesake’s wife Bunny (Tara Reid) has been kidnapped and ends up being asked to be bagman for the ransom.

From then things go down hill, as he meets The Big Lebowski’s daughter from his first marriage, Maude (Julianne Moore), who paints using her nude body and shows him films featuring her mother that are definitely not home movies, gets involved with a nihilist techno-rock group involved in the kidnap as well trying to work out the double crossing going on on all sides. He’s helped in his pursuit of the leads by close friends Walter Sobchak (John Goodman), who lives in a present constructed around his experiences in Vietnam and Donny (Steve Buscemi) who live in a present constructed around mental vacuity. And there’s also the bowling league to worry about, where he’s due to play Jesus Quintana (John Turturro in a film-stealing cameo) who’s probably the craziest man in a world of crazies.

The Cohen Brothers next film after Fargo is distinctly less black in its humour (although there is a severed toe involved) but the overall theme is one of shambling comedy, emphasised by The Dude, who always starts the day with resolve which dissolves after a couple of White Russians. On release, some critics did find the structure confusing after the linear Fargo but The Big Lebowski ends equally satisfyingly and even the tumbleweed that starts the film has a mission in the end.

Advertisement

production details
USA | 117 minutes | 1998

Director: Joel Coen
Script: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, J. Todd Anderson,

cast
Jeff Bridges as Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski
John Goodman as Walter Sobchak
Steve Buscemi as Theodore Donald “Donny” Kerabatsos
Julianne Moore as Maude Lebowski
Philip Seymour Hoffman as Brandt
David Huddleston as Jeffrey “The Big” Lebowski
John Turturro as Jesus Quintana
Tara Reid as Bunny Lebowski
Sam Elliott as The Stranger
Ben Gazzara as Jackie Treehorn
Peter Stormare as Nihilist #1, Uli Kunkel / “Karl Hungus”
Torsten Voges as Nihilist #3, Franz
Flea as Nihilist #2, Kieffer
Aimee Mann as Nihilist Woman, Franz’s Girlfriend
Philip Moon as Woo, Treehorn Thug
Mark Pellegrino as Blond Treehorn Thug
Jimmie Dale Gilmore as Smokey
Jack Kehler as Marty
James G. Hoosier as Liam O’Brien, Quintana’s Partner
David Thewlis as Knox Harrington
Jon Polito as Da Fino
Carlos Leon as Maude’s Thug #1
Richard Gant as Older Cop
Christian Clemenson as Younger Cop
Dom Irrera as Tony the Chauffeur
Lu Elrod as Coffee Shop Waitress
Mike Gomez as Auto Circus Cop
Peter Siragusa as Gary the Bartender
Marshall Manesh as Doctor
Harry Bugin as Arthur Digby Sellers
Irene Olga López as Pilar, Sellers’ Housekeeper
Luis Colina as Corvette Owner
Leon Russom as Malibu Police Chief
Ajgie Kirkland as Cab Driver
Jerry Haleva as Saddam Hussein
Jennifer Lamb as Pancake Waitress
Jesse Flanagan as Little Larry Sellers
Wendy Braun as Chorine Dancer (uncredited)
Asia Carrera as Sherry in ‘Logjammin’ (uncredited)
Kiva Dawson as Dancer (uncredited)
Anthony J. Sacco as Cook (uncredited)

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

The Talk The Talk
News19 seconds ago

Gina Rodriguez and Tembi Locke, The Talk, March 29, 2024, CBS,

On Friday, March 29, The Talk presents an exciting episode filled with engaging discussions and special guests. Tune in to...

Tamron Hall Tamron Hall
News1 min ago

Scotley Innis, Samah Dada, Tamron Hall, March 29, 2024, ABC

On Friday, March 29th, Tamron Hall welcomes a stellar lineup of culinary experts to the ‘Tasting Table‘ segment, just in...

The Today Show The Today Show
News3 mins ago

Dev Patel, Jim Parsons, Jessica Lange, The Today Show, March 29, 2024, NBC

On Friday, March 29th, The Today Show presents a jam-packed episode featuring a stellar lineup of guests and informative segments...

Today with Hoda & Jenna Today with Hoda & Jenna
News4 mins ago

Sheryl Crow, Justin Willman, Today with Hoda & Jenna, March 29, 2024,

On Friday, March 29th, Today with Hoda & Jenna embarks on an exciting journey filled with interviews and insightful segments,...

American Masters American Masters
News1 hour ago

Daniel Patrick Moynihan, American Masters, March 29th, 202, PBS

PBS’s American Masters explores the lives and artistic legacies of notable figures in the history of American culture. The series...

RuPaul's Drag Race RuPaul's Drag Race
News1 hour ago

RuPaul’s Drag Race, March 29, 2024, MTV, “Drag Race Vegas LIVE! Makeovers”

Get ready for a dazzling display of drag queen magic as RuPaul’s Drag Race presents the thirteenth episode of its...

Triple D Nation Triple D Nation
News1 hour ago

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, March 29, 2024, Food Network, “From Spicy to Sticky”

Get ready for a sensory journey through the diverse culinary landscape of the United States with Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins,...

House Hunters International House Hunters International
News1 hour ago

House Hunters, March 29, 2024, HGTV, “A Permanent Home in Atlanta”

This episode of House Hunters, “A Permanent Home in Atlanta”, airing on HGTV on March 29, 2024 at 10.00pm examines...

ITV1 Title Card ITV1 Title Card
News4 hours ago

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen, 30 March 2024, ITV1

Set in her beautiful Cotswolds home, Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen sees the legendary cook share her favourite recipes, as well...

Bargain Hunt Bargain Hunt
News5 hours ago

Bargain Hunt, 1 April 2024, BBC One, “Asian Special”

In a special Asian-focused episode of Bargain Hunt, presenter Roo Irvine delves into some of the program’s most remarkable finds...

Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics
News1 day ago

Nissan Figaro & Ferrari 250 GT, Bangers & Cash, March 28, 2024, Yesterday

On Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:00 PM., Yesterday presents a brand new episode of Bangers & Cash. This reality...

Big Mood Big Mood
News1 day ago

Big Mood Episode 2, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Down”

Continue the laughter and heartfelt moments with the second episode of Big Mood on Thursday, 28 March 2024 at 10:30...

Rob Beckett's Smart TV Rob Beckett's Smart TV
News1 day ago

Natasia Demetriou, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Cush Jumbo, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett’s Smart TV, 28 March 2024, Sky Max,

Rob Beckett’s Smart TV is back with another entertaining episode on Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM on Sky...

Trucking Hell Trucking Hell
News1 day ago

Trucking Hell, 28 March 2024, 5Action

On Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM., Trucking Hell returns with an action-packed episode that takes viewers into the...

A&E After Dark A&E After Dark
News1 day ago

A&E After Dark, 28 March 2024, 5STAR,

Its another intense and gripping night at Tunbridge Wells A&E as A&E After Dark returns with a new episode on...

Big Mood Big Mood
News1 day ago

Series Premiere, Big Mood, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Up”

Gear up for a hilarious and heartfelt comedy as Big Mood makes its debut on Channel 4 on Thursday, 28...

Popular