Brilliant Comedy on par with Annie Hall and Dr. Strangelove

Rating: 10/10 (17 July 2001)

*WARNING minor spoilers* The Big Lebowski, virtually ignored by the mainstream and a relative commercial failure, is the Coen Brother's most hilariously clever comedy to date. The film combines the best of slapstick, hilarious dialogue, extremely well-drawn and complex characters, an excellent plot, and social commentary of the highest calibur to create perhaps the best comedy of all time. Jeff Bridges is absolutely brilliantly lazy in his quasi-passive burnt-out character, while John Goodman provides perhaps one of the most impressive performances as a shafted disgruntled reactionary "'Nam" veteran. John Turturro provides the most immediately up-front hilarious character as a bowling 'paedharass', Jesus Quintana: "That's right, Nobody f***s with the Jesus!" I've watched this movie four or five times to date, and have yet to grow wary of the virtual infinity of perfectly repeatable lines. And if you are offended by incessant swearing, well, all I can say is: "You are entering a world of pain."