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Big Lebowski - I get the worship (1 Viewer)

So he says "My wife's a pain in the ###. She's always busting my friggin' agates. My daughter's married to a real loser *******. And I got a rash so bad on my ###,I can't even sit down. But you know me. I can't complain.

 
'Mr. Pickles said:
'Apple Jack said:
The first time I saw it Goodman drove me crazy, as I too thought he overacted. Now I think he couldn't possibly be more perfect.
Click to expand...
You've been assimilated. He is.
Click to expand...
A lot of the best art is like that. Lebowski is it's own world. In some cases people might say that as an excuse for bad writing or acting. In this case, it's legit. You probably won't meet a real life Walter, but he is pitch perfect in the world the movie takes place in. The Coens have a lot of these characters. What's the rumpus?
 
'Apple Jack said:
'Mr. Pickles said:
'Apple Jack said:
The first time I saw it Goodman drove me crazy, as I too thought he overacted. Now I think he couldn't possibly be more perfect.
Click to expand...
You've been assimilated. He is.
Click to expand...
A lot of the best art is like that. Lebowski is it's own world. In some cases people might say that as an excuse for bad writing or acting. In this case, it's legit. You probably won't meet a real life Walter, but he is pitch perfect in the world the movie takes place in. The Coens have a lot of these characters. What's the rumpus?
Click to expand...
I think Goodman was a mixed bag in this one, maybe they just overused him a tad as the rampant screaming did get old. Still, he delivered some classic lines very effectively and memorably and I think over the line, shomer shabbos, and the eulogy were all great scenes.
 
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I have watched it at least 30 times and I never tire of it. My favorite comedy of all time.

There are only 2 weak spots in the whole movie, IMO:

- The scene with the 3 guys at the bar where they sort of adlib and it doesn't go anywhere. Goodman's line here is good but the rest of it is flat.

- When Goodman smashes the corvette, we all know it isn't going to be the kid's car. Telegraphed joke

Every other second of the film is perfect.

 
'Gr00vus said:
'Apple Jack said:
'Mr. Pickles said:
'Apple Jack said:
The first time I saw it Goodman drove me crazy, as I too thought he overacted. Now I think he couldn't possibly be more perfect.
Click to expand...
You've been assimilated. He is.
Click to expand...
A lot of the best art is like that. Lebowski is it's own world. In some cases people might say that as an excuse for bad writing or acting. In this case, it's legit. You probably won't meet a real life Walter, but he is pitch perfect in the world the movie takes place in. The Coens have a lot of these characters. What's the rumpus?
Click to expand...
I think Goodman was a mixed bag in this one, maybe they just overused him a tad as the rampant screaming did get old. Still, he delivered some classic lines very effectively and memorably and I think over the line, shomer shabbos, and the eulogy were all great scenes.
Click to expand...
When I first saw it I thought the Vietnam obsession was more sad than funny but now I'm so used to the character I don't think about it that way anymore.
 
'HellToupee said:
The amount of win in this scene alone is off the charts:

Click to expand...
Those are awesome, but I am partial to: "We've been frantically trying to reach you, Dude." Philip Seymour Hoffman's delivery of that line is so awesome. Nearly as awesome later in the scene, and again delivered perfectly:"That had not occurred to us, Dude."
 
great thread. great discussion of one of my favorite flicks of all time. the coen bro's outdid themselves with this one.

:popcorn:

 
So he says, "My son can't hold a job, my daughter's married to a foockin' loser, and I got a rash on my aass so bad I can't hardly siddown. But you know me. I can't complain.

 
With this thread getting resurrected and more praise and adulation, I decided to watch Lebowski again since it had been a few years since my last viewing. Sadly, I still don't get it. Maybe it's too hip for me, I don't know. The bowling alley scenes are amusing and the OVER THE LINE bit is classic (especially to those that have bowled in leagues before). But taken as a whole, I still don't see how some folks gush over this movie as one of the all time greatest comedies ever made.

 
Ghost Rider said:
The amount of win in this scene alone is off the charts:

Click to expand...
"This is our concern Dude"

Really gets glossed over because of Dude and Walter, but PSH plays his role as well or better than the others. Utterly perfect, even his actions. When he opens the door to let Dude into the den to see the grieving Lebowski, and he gestures him in with a solemn bow. It's ridiculous how perfect he was.

 
mad sweeney said:
Really gets glossed over because of Dude and Walter, but PSH plays his role as well or better than the others. Utterly perfect, even his actions. When he opens the door to let Dude into the den to see the grieving Lebowski, and he gestures him in with a solemn bow. It's ridiculous how perfect he was.
Click to expand...
Damn straight. His many looks in the back of the limo were so freaking great. His wincing gets worse and worse as The Dude goes more and more off the rails (in their estimation) with his explanation.

 
David Yudkin said:
With this thread getting resurrected and more praise and adulation, I decided to watch Lebowski again since it had been a few years since my last viewing. Sadly, I still don't get it. Maybe it's too hip for me, I don't know. The bowling alley scenes are amusing and the OVER THE LINE bit is classic (especially to those that have bowled in leagues before). But taken as a whole, I still don't see how some folks gush over this movie as one of the all time greatest comedies ever made.
Click to expand...
There are the great characters, one liners, ridiculous stoner-noir story, etc. but I think a big part of it is admiring someone who is just enjoying the ride through life without all the worries. Most of us can't be The Dude but it's a way of life many people find appealing and there's a bit of wisdom in it for everybody. For me at least that's what elevates it above your standard comedy.

 
17seconds said:
'Gr00vus said:
'Apple Jack said:
'Mr. Pickles said:
'Apple Jack said:
The first time I saw it Goodman drove me crazy, as I too thought he overacted. Now I think he couldn't possibly be more perfect.
Click to expand...
You've been assimilated. He is.
Click to expand...
A lot of the best art is like that. Lebowski is it's own world. In some cases people might say that as an excuse for bad writing or acting. In this case, it's legit. You probably won't meet a real life Walter, but he is pitch perfect in the world the movie takes place in. The Coens have a lot of these characters. What's the rumpus?
Click to expand...
I think Goodman was a mixed bag in this one, maybe they just overused him a tad as the rampant screaming did get old. Still, he delivered some classic lines very effectively and memorably and I think over the line, shomer shabbos, and the eulogy were all great scenes.
Click to expand...
When I first saw it I thought the Vietnam obsession was more sad than funny but now I'm so used to the character I don't think about it that way anymore.
Click to expand...
Walter is both funny and sad - he's the anti-Dude and shows what happens when you take life so seriously. For example, take the line "I mean, say what you like about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos." It's a funny line but the implication is that Nazism is better nihilism because there's a belief in something. Walter wants everything to have meaning - bowling, 'Nam, Jewish holidays, etc. - yet it doesn't make him happy. The Dude on the other hand doesn't worry about any of that and gets enjoyment from the small things in life without worrying about of meaning of it all.

 
I grew up with a couple of friends who were basically Dude/Walter clones. The Dude and Walter have always struck me as exaggerated caricatures of these two guys and I've always wondered if that's partially why I've always laughed at every line.

Subsequently, Walter has never once struck me as over-acted because I actually know a guy like that. Right down to taking care of his ex-wife's "Pomeranian".

 
cstu said:
David Yudkin said:
With this thread getting resurrected and more praise and adulation, I decided to watch Lebowski again since it had been a few years since my last viewing. Sadly, I still don't get it. Maybe it's too hip for me, I don't know. The bowling alley scenes are amusing and the OVER THE LINE bit is classic (especially to those that have bowled in leagues before). But taken as a whole, I still don't see how some folks gush over this movie as one of the all time greatest comedies ever made.
Click to expand...
There are the great characters, one liners, ridiculous stoner-noir story, etc. but I think a big part of it is admiring someone who is just enjoying the ride through life without all the worries. Most of us can't be The Dude but it's a way of life many people find appealing and there's a bit of wisdom in it for everybody. For me at least that's what elevates it above your standard comedy.
Click to expand...
my thoughts exactly.

David, obviously you're not a golfer.

 
cstu said:
David Yudkin said:
With this thread getting resurrected and more praise and adulation, I decided to watch Lebowski again since it had been a few years since my last viewing. Sadly, I still don't get it. Maybe it's too hip for me, I don't know. The bowling alley scenes are amusing and the OVER THE LINE bit is classic (especially to those that have bowled in leagues before). But taken as a whole, I still don't see how some folks gush over this movie as one of the all time greatest comedies ever made.
Click to expand...
There are the great characters, one liners, ridiculous stoner-noir story, etc. but I think a big part of it is admiring someone who is just enjoying the ride through life without all the worries. Most of us can't be The Dude but it's a way of life many people find appealing and there's a bit of wisdom in it for everybody. For me at least that's what elevates it above your standard comedy.
Click to expand...
What really makes it stand out for me is the contrast in character between the dude and just about everybody else. The guy who chooses to be a slacker vs. intensely serious people like Walter, the big Lebowski, Maude, etc.. A lot of us guys in our 20s-40s struggle with the idea of whether it's better to be a total slacker or a serious person in life.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
17seconds said:
cstu said:
David Yudkin said:
With this thread getting resurrected and more praise and adulation, I decided to watch Lebowski again since it had been a few years since my last viewing. Sadly, I still don't get it. Maybe it's too hip for me, I don't know. The bowling alley scenes are amusing and the OVER THE LINE bit is classic (especially to those that have bowled in leagues before). But taken as a whole, I still don't see how some folks gush over this movie as one of the all time greatest comedies ever made.
Click to expand...
There are the great characters, one liners, ridiculous stoner-noir story, etc. but I think a big part of it is admiring someone who is just enjoying the ride through life without all the worries. Most of us can't be The Dude but it's a way of life many people find appealing and there's a bit of wisdom in it for everybody. For me at least that's what elevates it above your standard comedy.
Click to expand...
What really makes it stand out for me is the contrast in character between the dude and just about everybody else. The guy who chooses to be a slacker vs. intensely serious people like Walter, the big Lebowski, Maude, etc.. A lot of us guys in our 20s-40s struggle with the idea of whether it's better to be a total slacker or a serious person in life.
Click to expand...
The thing is that those 'serious' people turn out to be frauds - Big Lewbowski has no money, Maude is selling random paint slashes as art, Treehorn acts like he's in porn for the art but really just in it for the money, the nihilists who supposedly care about nothing seem to care a lot about money.

 
17seconds said:
cstu said:
David Yudkin said:
With this thread getting resurrected and more praise and adulation, I decided to watch Lebowski again since it had been a few years since my last viewing. Sadly, I still don't get it. Maybe it's too hip for me, I don't know. The bowling alley scenes are amusing and the OVER THE LINE bit is classic (especially to those that have bowled in leagues before). But taken as a whole, I still don't see how some folks gush over this movie as one of the all time greatest comedies ever made.
Click to expand...
There are the great characters, one liners, ridiculous stoner-noir story, etc. but I think a big part of it is admiring someone who is just enjoying the ride through life without all the worries. Most of us can't be The Dude but it's a way of life many people find appealing and there's a bit of wisdom in it for everybody. For me at least that's what elevates it above your standard comedy.
Click to expand...
What really makes it stand out for me is the contrast in character between the dude and just about everybody else. The guy who chooses to be a slacker vs. intensely serious people like Walter, the big Lebowski, Maude, etc.. A lot of us guys in our 20s-40s struggle with the idea of whether it's better to be a total slacker or a serious person in life.
Click to expand...
agreed.

also... going deeper with the people that see the movie as pointless, i think that's the point.

nihilism is a big theme throughout the flick. the dude himself seems to be a nihilist, as he denies the possibility of meaning with most things he partakes in, including life. then there's the big lebowski, a man who's life is dedicated to the pursuit of meaning in power and wealth. he's paralyzed from the waist down... so without reason/knowledge, he isn't able to pursue the things he lives for. the big lebowski is the antithesis of the dude, who lives freely and doesn't need meaning. throughout the film the dude's friends as well as ememies impose their meanings into every situation and the dude takes them on the chin and keeps on abiding.

so for those that cannot find meaning in the film... again... that's the point and the coen brother's are geniuses for it.

ETA: there's so much depth in the film that it's almost impossible to understand it completely. another thing i've noticed is that each character is like the epitome of themselves - walter - the vietnam vet, the dude - the bum lower class stoner, bunny - the gold digger, maude - the feminist, the nihilists, the big lebowski... on and on. everything about them is so exaggerated... it's really interesting to analyze the film. i've seen it so many times yet i never really get tired of it.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
werdnoynek said:
17seconds said:
cstu said:
David Yudkin said:
With this thread getting resurrected and more praise and adulation, I decided to watch Lebowski again since it had been a few years since my last viewing. Sadly, I still don't get it. Maybe it's too hip for me, I don't know. The bowling alley scenes are amusing and the OVER THE LINE bit is classic (especially to those that have bowled in leagues before). But taken as a whole, I still don't see how some folks gush over this movie as one of the all time greatest comedies ever made.
Click to expand...
There are the great characters, one liners, ridiculous stoner-noir story, etc. but I think a big part of it is admiring someone who is just enjoying the ride through life without all the worries. Most of us can't be The Dude but it's a way of life many people find appealing and there's a bit of wisdom in it for everybody. For me at least that's what elevates it above your standard comedy.
Click to expand...
What really makes it stand out for me is the contrast in character between the dude and just about everybody else. The guy who chooses to be a slacker vs. intensely serious people like Walter, the big Lebowski, Maude, etc.. A lot of us guys in our 20s-40s struggle with the idea of whether it's better to be a total slacker or a serious person in life.
Click to expand...
agreed. also... going deeper with the people that see the movie as pointless, i think that's the point. nihilism is a big theme throughout the flick. the dude himself seems to be a nihilist, as he denies the possibility of meaning with most things he partakes in, including life. then there's the big lebowski, a man who's life is dedicated to the pursuit of meaning in power and wealth. he's paralyzed from the waist down... so without reason/knowledge, he isn't able to pursue the things he lives for. the big lebowski is the antithesis of the dude, who lives freely and doesn't need meaning. throughout the film the dude's friends as well as ememies impose their meanings into every situation and the dude takes them on the chin and keeps on abiding. so for those that cannot find meaning in the film... again... that's the point and the coen brother's are geniuses for it. ETA: there's so much depth in the film that it's almost impossible to understand it completely. another thing i've noticed is that each character is like the epitome of themselves - walter - the vietnam vet, the dude - the bum lower class stoner, bunny - the gold digger, maude - the feminist, the nihilists, the big lebowski... on and on. everything about them is so exaggerated... it's really interesting to analyze the film. i've seen it so many times yet i never really get tired of it.
Click to expand...
Well said. Love this movie but haven't watched it for a few years. Gonna go watch it again now.
 
werdnoynek said:
17seconds said:
cstu said:
David Yudkin said:
With this thread getting resurrected and more praise and adulation, I decided to watch Lebowski again since it had been a few years since my last viewing. Sadly, I still don't get it. Maybe it's too hip for me, I don't know. The bowling alley scenes are amusing and the OVER THE LINE bit is classic (especially to those that have bowled in leagues before). But taken as a whole, I still don't see how some folks gush over this movie as one of the all time greatest comedies ever made.
Click to expand...
There are the great characters, one liners, ridiculous stoner-noir story, etc. but I think a big part of it is admiring someone who is just enjoying the ride through life without all the worries. Most of us can't be The Dude but it's a way of life many people find appealing and there's a bit of wisdom in it for everybody. For me at least that's what elevates it above your standard comedy.
Click to expand...
What really makes it stand out for me is the contrast in character between the dude and just about everybody else. The guy who chooses to be a slacker vs. intensely serious people like Walter, the big Lebowski, Maude, etc.. A lot of us guys in our 20s-40s struggle with the idea of whether it's better to be a total slacker or a serious person in life.
Click to expand...
agreed. also... going deeper with the people that see the movie as pointless, i think that's the point. nihilism is a big theme throughout the flick. the dude himself seems to be a nihilist, as he denies the possibility of meaning with most things he partakes in, including life. then there's the big lebowski, a man who's life is dedicated to the pursuit of meaning in power and wealth. he's paralyzed from the waist down... so without reason/knowledge, he isn't able to pursue the things he lives for. the big lebowski is the antithesis of the dude, who lives freely and doesn't need meaning. throughout the film the dude's friends as well as ememies impose their meanings into every situation and the dude takes them on the chin and keeps on abiding. so for those that cannot find meaning in the film... again... that's the point and the coen brother's are geniuses for it. ETA: there's so much depth in the film that it's almost impossible to understand it completely. another thing i've noticed is that each character is like the epitome of themselves - walter - the vietnam vet, the dude - the bum lower class stoner, bunny - the gold digger, maude - the feminist, the nihilists, the big lebowski... on and on. everything about them is so exaggerated... it's really interesting to analyze the film. i've seen it so many times yet i never really get tired of it.
Click to expand...
What the #### you talking about?
 
David Yudkin said:
With this thread getting resurrected and more praise and adulation, I decided to watch Lebowski again since it had been a few years since my last viewing. Sadly, I still don't get it. Maybe it's too hip for me, I don't know. The bowling alley scenes are amusing and the OVER THE LINE bit is classic (especially to those that have bowled in leagues before). But taken as a whole, I still don't see how some folks gush over this movie as one of the all time greatest comedies ever made.
Click to expand...
The first time I saw it, I had the same reaction.

Now, it's one of my all time favorites.

The key, IMO, is not the plot (as enjoyable as it is), but to enjoy the characters - after a couple of viewings, they become old friends, you can always count on them to have the same idiosyncrasies, problems, blind spots, and redeeming qualities, yet you'll continually catch new nuances in them.

It's really about the characters. Once you love them, then the dialog truly becomes golden.

 
After watching Lebowski again, I forgot how similar the story was to Fargo. In both films, people with financial problems set up some sort of kidnapping and amateur criminals all around botch things up. The characters may be completely different, but the premise in each film is similar. Yet I loved Fargo and was ambivalent about Lebowski.

 
Sigmund Bloom said:
I have no idea how to explain it J, but Lebowski was an instant classic in my group. Quoting the movie is like a language in itself, and there are lines from the movie that fit a wide range of things that come up in life. Rarely does a day go by that doesn't remind me of something in Lebowski (I can say the same for the Wire, Simpsons, and Seinfeld). Certain lines have become mantras - from the scene where they make the drop: "Nothing is ****** here dude, nothing is ******, you're being very un-dude" - in my group, you can say that to someone who is overreacting to a situation and they laugh and get the message and instantly realize that nothing really is ******. Does that make sense? It's hard to get at with words, why this movie is worshipped - but I'm trying.A lot of the good points have been hit already - the dialogue and the characters being HUGE parts. I also love the essence of the story. A dude is just living his unmolested life and a case of mistaken identity pulls him into this foreign world where nothing makes sense. Now, in the Joseph Campbell hero's quest sense, he SHOULD undergo a transformation - thats what happens in movies - but what's so beautiful about the movie is that he doesn't. "**** it, Dude, Let's go bowling" - in the end, they just do what they always do. For a lot of people, that is a much more accurate depiction of life than a story where people transcend or overcome.
Click to expand...
For the record, this was beautiful.

 
David Yudkin said:
After watching Lebowski again, I forgot how similar the story was to Fargo. In both films, people with financial problems set up some sort of kidnapping and amateur criminals all around botch things up. The characters may be completely different, but the premise in each film is similar. Yet I loved Fargo and was ambivalent about Lebowski.
Click to expand...
Out of curiosity, have you ever had an extended period of your life where you were a complete slacker?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
David Yudkin said:
After watching Lebowski again, I forgot how similar the story was to Fargo. In both films, people with financial problems set up some sort of kidnapping and amateur criminals all around botch things up. The characters may be completely different, but the premise in each film is similar. Yet I loved Fargo and was ambivalent about Lebowski.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I like fargo. I love lebowski.
 
Abraham said:
David Yudkin said:
After watching Lebowski again, I forgot how similar the story was to Fargo. In both films, people with financial problems set up some sort of kidnapping and amateur criminals all around botch things up. The characters may be completely different, but the premise in each film is similar. Yet I loved Fargo and was ambivalent about Lebowski.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I like fargo. I love lebowski.
Click to expand...
Same here. Cool observation though.
 
I watched this for the first time last night. I look forward to watching it again soon.

I like the cameo by Asia Carrera in Logjammin'.

 
werdnoynek said:
17seconds said:
cstu said:
David Yudkin said:
With this thread getting resurrected and more praise and adulation, I decided to watch Lebowski again since it had been a few years since my last viewing. Sadly, I still don't get it. Maybe it's too hip for me, I don't know. The bowling alley scenes are amusing and the OVER THE LINE bit is classic (especially to those that have bowled in leagues before). But taken as a whole, I still don't see how some folks gush over this movie as one of the all time greatest comedies ever made.
Click to expand...
There are the great characters, one liners, ridiculous stoner-noir story, etc. but I think a big part of it is admiring someone who is just enjoying the ride through life without all the worries. Most of us can't be The Dude but it's a way of life many people find appealing and there's a bit of wisdom in it for everybody. For me at least that's what elevates it above your standard comedy.
Click to expand...
What really makes it stand out for me is the contrast in character between the dude and just about everybody else. The guy who chooses to be a slacker vs. intensely serious people like Walter, the big Lebowski, Maude, etc.. A lot of us guys in our 20s-40s struggle with the idea of whether it's better to be a total slacker or a serious person in life.
Click to expand...
agreed.

also... going deeper with the people that see the movie as pointless, i think that's the point.

nihilism is a big theme throughout the flick. the dude himself seems to be a nihilist, as he denies the possibility of meaning with most things he partakes in, including life. then there's the big lebowski, a man who's life is dedicated to the pursuit of meaning in power and wealth. he's paralyzed from the waist down... so without reason/knowledge, he isn't able to pursue the things he lives for. the big lebowski is the antithesis of the dude, who lives freely and doesn't need meaning. throughout the film the dude's friends as well as ememies impose their meanings into every situation and the dude takes them on the chin and keeps on abiding.

so for those that cannot find meaning in the film... again... that's the point and the coen brother's are geniuses for it.

ETA: there's so much depth in the film that it's almost impossible to understand it completely. another thing i've noticed is that each character is like the epitome of themselves - walter - the vietnam vet, the dude - the bum lower class stoner, bunny - the gold digger, maude - the feminist, the nihilists, the big lebowski... on and on. everything about them is so exaggerated... it's really interesting to analyze the film. i've seen it so many times yet i never really get tired of it.
Click to expand...
Disagree a little on the Dude denying the possibility of meaning. He liked that rug man, cause you know, it really tied the room together.

 
David Yudkin said:
With this thread getting resurrected and more praise and adulation, I decided to watch Lebowski again since it had been a few years since my last viewing. Sadly, I still don't get it. Maybe it's too hip for me, I don't know. The bowling alley scenes are amusing and the OVER THE LINE bit is classic (especially to those that have bowled in leagues before). But taken as a whole, I still don't see how some folks gush over this movie as one of the all time greatest comedies ever made.
Click to expand...
Alright, it's f**king zero. Are you happy now, you crazy ####?

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Sabertooth said:
First half of Lebowski was hilarious. Then it kind of lost me.
Click to expand...
I'm kind of in the same boat. But I find that most comedies--even the great ones--tend to be like that. For some reason, the writers/directors feel a need to tell a story rather than just commit to the comedy. That's why I think Animal House is the greatest comedy of all time.

 
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