The Cult Classic, Dude

 Image Courtesy of the Internet Movie Database

Some art simply is not appreciated during its time of release. It is well known that Vincent Van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime, and yet he is now widely regarded as one of the greatest artists who ever lived. Likewise, when The Big Lebowski released in the United States in theaters on March 6, 1998, it only barely made back the cost of its budget in the United States. Critics thought it was good, but nothing earth-shattering. 

How then, did it develop the massive cult following that it currently has? It is simply because the film is not easily understood upon its first viewing. It takes a lot of afterthought and careful consideration after the initial viewing to figure out just what makes The Big Lebowski a great film. The Big Lebowski succeeds by merit of its acting and its hilarious yet deep satire of the foibles of both American society and the human condition.

The Big Lebowski stars Jeff Bridges as Jeff Lebowski, a lazy, lowlife bum known to his friends as “The Dude.” The Dude is down on his luck in Los Angeles, California during the Gulf War. He is an out-of-work, slothful hippy who enjoys white russians, bowling, and copious amount of marijuana. In a twisted misunderstanding,  The Dude is mistakenly roughed up by a couple of thugs who urinate on his rug and demand he pay money owed to rich pornographer Jackie Treehorn (Ben Gazzara). After realizing he was not the intended target for the attack, he is convinced by his friend and Vietnam veteran Walter (John Goodman) to go to the rich millionaire Jeffery Lebowski (David Huddleston), the actual target, and seek compensation for the rug. What follows is a veritable rabbit hole of double crosses and triple crosses that cannot be properly described in words, as The Dude gets involved in saving the millionaire’s trophy wife from apparent kidnappers.  It is a plot that must simply be seen to be believed.  However, none of it would amount to much if the cast were not strong, and the movie absolutely delivers in this regard. Jeff Bridges is perhaps at his finest as The Dude, and John Goodman as Walter is inspired. Other performances of note include Steve Buscemi as The Dude and Walter’s oblivious bowling partner Donny, Julian Moore as Jeffery Lebowski’s feminist daughter Maude, Peter Stormare, Torsten Voges, and the musician Flea as a trio of nihilists out for cash, Sam Elliot as a mysterious Stranger that narrates the whole affair, and John Tuturro as Jesus Quintana, an opponent in The Dude’s upcoming bowling tournament. 

While this film could have been worth something minimal based on the solid acting alone, it would not earn its following without its interesting themes. As previously stated, The Big Lebowski satirizes American society and human nature to great effect. As a species, people like to feel that since everyone is an individual living one's own life, certain things we held to  importance are nearly sacred. The Big Lebowski seems to give a big middle finger to all of that. It takes all of people's perceived ideals and takes them down a notch. All of the characters seem to be stuck in the past. The Dude is stuck in the Flower Power Movement, Walter is stuck in the Vietnam War, Jackie Treehorn is stuck in the Sexual Revolution, and Maude is stuck in the avant-garde movement. The film also puts into question the American ideal of success. Jeffery Lebowski may seem like he is a self-made man, but in reality, he is far from that. The nihilists in this film claim to believe in nothing, and yet seem to believe in money when they have need of it. Even religion is taken down a notch, especially in making a character named Jesus into a pedophile. This is also seen in Walter only being Jewish to be close to his ex-wife. 

With all of these questions about life being asked, what meaning is there to be gleamed from this ever-changing world in which we live in? The answer, according to the film, is that there is not any meaning, and that we should be like The Dude and simply go with the flow, like a bowling ball down an alley. In a way, The Dude is a prophet for the new millennium. With his long hair, sandals, and robe, he even dresses like one. For all of this, The Big Lebowski receives highest marks.  It is a brilliant work and should not be missed.