A celebration of the unique nature of the lazy

Rating: 10/10 (25 September 2001)

To say the Big Lebowski is merely a comedy is to disregard what has to be one of the best scripted films to appear during the last 20 years. Only the Coen Brothers possessed the bravery, foresight and genius to bring this celebration of the slackers and lowlifes to the screen.
The strength of the Big Lebowski does not lie in its cinematography or its occasional special effects (which are excellent), but rather in its refusal to conduct itself like any other main stream film. Repeatedly the film falls back upon the interaction between the characters. Who can forget the various bowling alley dicussions between the Dude, Walter and Donny? The way that through one conversation we are able to see deep into the far-out psyche of each character as they strive to plod along in their mudane and under-funder existence.
The Coens attention to detail is another prominent feature of the film. Its the little things that count. Such as the bullishly Jewish Walter's firm which is known as Sobchak Security, or SS for short. Or maybe the Donnys inability to get a word in edgeways. I have seen the film many, many times now, and each time I have seen something new, which can only serve as a testament to the Coens abilities as film makers.
The plot of the Big lebowski is made so ridiculous that it could only be made 'real' by having a group of completely ridiculous characters. The Coens refuse to leave even the most incidental character without some kind of strange background or character quirk. Just see Brandt or the aggressive police sergent for examples.
The Big Lebowski serves as a celebration of the lazy and unambitious. In the Dude we find solace. He makes you think: Why do i have to bother dealing with things? Why stress over things that do not matter?
As i believe a reviewer in Empire put it: In an ideal world all films would be made by the Coen Brothers.