View Full Version : The Big Lebowski - not all that
Having just watched The Big Lebowski for the first time, I have to say what a mildly amusing mess the whole thing was. Any kind of hostage/kidnapping storyline was quickly dispensed with, all stumbling towards one of the most abrupt and unsatisfying endings I've ever seen.
Certainly, there were some hilarious moments with John Goodman, Jeff Bridges and Steve Buscemi, but apart from that it was one of the most random, baffling films I've ever come across.
I cannot fathom why this film has the reputation it does. Any ideas?
Because the film is genius, 'nuff said.
Narshty
I thought the same as you after seeing it for the first time during the original cinema release. I couldn't understand what all the fuss was about.
Then I watched it again on tv recently and well, I completely changed my mind! I then bought the dvd and have seen it 3 times since. It's genius. Can't explain why but it's now my movie of choice when I need cheering up!
Leave it a year or so and give it another go - see if you change your mind too!
Richie
tj_director
13-12-2001, 20:24
Narshty, those are the exact same sentiments that came blabbering out my mouth the 1st time i saw it.
It wasn't until the 3rd time i saw it (Thanks Sky!!) that i realised there was one DVD missing from my collection. And i now understand all those Big Lebowski fans, who i once thought were weird and easily amused simpletons. I really love the film now!! and when i look at my collection and ask myself, if i was to watch one film right now... Lebowski for some reason just jumps out of my subconcious and reaches for it! and i'm the kind of person who'd rather watch something new, whether it be a steaming pile of crap, than something again.
All i can say is that if you enjoyed the characters, and didn't find yourself hating the film, then repeated viewings will make the film feel classic for you, the structure will somehow take on a magical form of brilliance, and the ending won't feel even half as dissatisfying...
If only there was a sequel, made in the style of Swingers and we just follow The Dude, Walter and Donny were just driving around, bowling and going to fast food joints!! :D
Davester
13-12-2001, 20:37
I got it in a trade, as I had heard good things and was very disappointed! I may watch it ahain after reading the comments though.
I love this film! Makes me laugh everytime I watch it. Genius...
Bunny Lebowski: I'll suck your c**k for a thousand dollars.
Brandt: Ah ha ha ha ha! Wonderful woman. Very free-spirited. We're all very fond of her.
Bunny Lebowski: Brandt can't watch, though, or he has to pay a hundred.
Brandt: Ah ha ha ha. That's marvelous.
The Dude: Uh, I'm, uh just going to find a cash machine...
:D
tj_director
13-12-2001, 21:12
damn this thread, i feel like watching it now... but that would mean once again putting off Almost Famous: Untitled!! damn this life of endless DVDs and women, double damn -- i just remembered, no women!! :o
"OVER THE LINE!"
By not likeing The Big Lebowski "YOU ARE ENTERING A WORLD OF PAIN!"
carryonline
13-12-2001, 21:13
The Big Lebowski has so many layers you can't possibly hope to pick up on everything after just one viewing. That's why I love this one so much - every time you watch it you discover a new subplot or a character or situation you hadn't noticed before. Admittedly when I first saw it in the cinema I didn't rate it much either, but it's one of those films that I just keep coming back to. Like so many have said before - genius :)
I beg to differ.
The Big Lebowski IS all that....
and a bag of chips.
Desk
richie99
13-12-2001, 21:44
Forget about storylines and all that crap (there definitely IS a story there though) - this film is about characters.
And it shows you them very well.
Just watched this the other week for about the 6th time, and it does get better with viewings - absolute genius !
I guess it depends on your sense of humour (or if you have one!), but I think it's one of the best comedies of the 90's.
Originally posted by Narshty
Having just watched The Big Lebowski for the first time, I have to say what a mildly amusing mess the whole thing was. Any kind of hostage/kidnapping storyline was quickly dispensed with, all stumbling towards one of the most abrupt and unsatisfying endings I've ever seen.
Certainly, there were some hilarious moments with John Goodman, Jeff Bridges and Steve Buscemi, but apart from that it was one of the most random, baffling films I've ever come across.
I cannot fathom why this film has the reputation it does. Any ideas?
'Well, like, that's YOUR opinion, man'
:D:D
Just Call Me Wanda
13-12-2001, 21:58
Come to think of it, I didn't like it much when I first saw it but now I think it's one of the funniest films ever! :)
deftone666
13-12-2001, 22:19
I brought this a couple of months ago having never seen it and loved it,another Coen brothers classic.
/ Puts on flame proof jacket ,nearly as good as O' Brother. :)
I will say loud and proud that my favourite Coen Brothers film is Blood Simple - a perfectly woven and structured crime piece that gets more dazzling and wincingly tense every time I see it.
deftone666
13-12-2001, 23:02
Originally posted by Narshty
I will say loud and proud that my favourite Coen Brothers film is Blood Simple - a perfectly woven and structured crime piece that gets more dazzling and wincingly tense every time I see it.
Your beginning to sound like a DVD Times reviewer,oh sorry,you are one!;) :)
Well I was very disappointed when I watched this.
O' Brother was the first Coen's film I had seen and so went for Big Lebowski next as most people seem to be split between that and Fargo as their best.
John Goodman's character just irritated the hell out of me and Steve Buscemi seemed to be painfully underused. The two sequences with John Turturro (sp?) were superb but I felt this was a very overrated film.
Will watch Fargo to see if maybe that's more my style
Edge
bhomatude
14-12-2001, 04:47
It's an American thing- sorry a Californian thing, man. I know the Dude. We all know the Dude. The Dude abides.
Mark.Anderson
14-12-2001, 05:29
Any news on a SE? As I am thinking of getting the R1 (or maybe a cheap R4), should I hold off?
Like most people, when it came out first on VHS I bought it as I had heard good things about it.
First viewing, wasn't bad but couldn't see the hype. Decided to watch it again about 3 months later (I'd be dammed if I just watched it once) and picked up on some other things. When I showed it my bro, he thought it sucked ass but I loved it even more.
I must have seen it now going on for 100 times !!!!!11111:eek: :nuts:
Dan Druff
14-12-2001, 09:09
Watch it again, man. It grows on you. Julianne Moore grows on you. The Dude grows on you. First time I saw it I said 'Ah its OK', now its one of The Druffmeisters favourite Coens, man.
George vader
14-12-2001, 15:03
" You're entering a world of pain!!"
IME Coen Bros. films are all like that. You have to watch them twice. I think it's because the humour is subtly woven into the film. As if the jokes aren't in the top 'layer' of the movie.
Perfect example is the kidnap scene in Fargo. It's tense and a bit grim the first time. Hilarious the second time.
Yonathan Gal
14-12-2001, 21:12
As far as im'm concerned, lebowski is a masterpiece. The script is Oscar-worthy, it's true comedy and is intelligent, witty and brilliantly paced. Goodman is also oscar worthy, bridges is perfexct in the part, and as for buscemi and moore, well, they're good too! It's incredible, just watche dit today... it's a work of art, gets better every time. The Coehn bros make good movies (except for O Brother).... Lebowski is great, and of course, endlessly quotable...
over the line!
entering a world of pain
it's down there somewhere, let me take another look
This is not nam man, there are tules
am i the only one around here who cares about the rules?
I'm finishing my coffee
The characterisation is genius...
John Hodson
14-12-2001, 22:42
Never seen a Coen Brothers movie I didn't like, and didn't like more each time I saw it.
Lebowski, essentially a reworking of The Big Sleep, is a work of pure genius. Loved the Coen doco on Beeb 2 when Jeff Bridges said, a wicked smile playing on his lips, that the Coens told him they wrote the part of The Dude with him in mind from the start.
The best film ever made about bowling (and rugs)
---
So many films, so little time...
Yonathan Gal
14-12-2001, 22:46
Jeff Bridges once said that whenever one of his films is on TV, he usually dones't watch it, but whenever lebowski is on, he gets around with his kids and wife and sits around and watches it everytime! (though i'm sure he probably has the video)... lol :)
Jimmyboy
14-12-2001, 22:52
Nice one guys !.
I've never even considered buying Big L until I read this thread.
:brickwall
First time I watched it I was a little upset - I'd loved every Cohen Brothers film so far up until that point, but just didn't get into it. Then, someone called me the Dude, and I watched it again..... Suddenly - CLICK! This film, like Withnail and I just gets better with each viewing. the script is perfect, and the characters fantastic. And, dude, that rug really does set the room off nicely.
wong fei hong
15-12-2001, 07:35
Eloquently defended, forums. I fell in love with this on first sight, and it's my favourite Coens movie - saying something considering their unfailingly excellent output. Apart from the great performances they coax out of actors (not only their regulars, but the likes of Jeff Bridges, George Clooney and Billy Bob Thornton), it's the tiny details, the peripherals that make their films so wonderful.
Originally posted by Narshty
I cannot fathom why this film has the reputation it does. Any ideas?
"Me and Liam is gonna ******* you up!" :D
Originally posted by Edge
...and Steve Buscemi seemed to be painfully underused.
That's the point!
Great film.
"Careful man, there's a beverage here!"
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