"That rug really tied the room together, did it not?"

Rating: 9/10 (26 September 2006)

About thirty years ago I read the word 'micturate' in a story, and it was so intriguingly curious I began using it in conversation with a couple friends of mine (for it's intended appropriate reason of course, like "Pull over the car, I have to micturate"). I never came across it in high school, college, or anywhere else. It never came up in a TV show, stage play or a film. It's like the word was invented for the sole purpose of never using it. Never once did I ever hear anyone except the members of my trio use the term. Until today. The 'real' Lebowski (David Huddleston) uses the word upon introduction to the Jeff Bridges Lebowski, actually the past tense 'micturated', but close enough. Pretty nuts to get excited about, right?
Well if the movie didn't have me right there, I was bound to Coen Brothers fandom with the on screen arrival of Jesus Quintana (John Turturro). It's been a while since I've seen anything as flamboyantly over the top as his introductory first strike capability. If that small bit of inspired genius doesn't grab you, you probably won't go for the rest of the flick either. "The Big Lebowski" is a raucous Seinfeld episode on speed, or at least the equivalent of a buzz on too many white Russians.
Quite honestly, I was all prepared for the Big L to be John Goodman, but it didn't take long for that slight hint of disappointment to evaporate. Jeff Bridges is a worthy Lebowski in all of his underachieving glory, perfectly complemented by the boisterous brains of the outfit, Walter Sobchak (Goodman). It's too bad Donny (Steve Buscemi) didn't make it to the finale, but hey, not everyone gets to go out in a can of Folger's. Something subliminal there? - why not Maxwell House, 'good to the last drop'. In a tribute to one of filmdom's masters of malapropisms, Walter's speech honors Donny's memory from 'La Joya to Leo Carillo" - I had to play that one three times.
The Big L simply demands viewing more than once, I'm sure I missed a bunch the first time around. It's the story of 'The Dude', a man uniquely qualified to claim his time and place in Los Angeles of the early Nineties. I'm not quite sure, but I think there's an unspoken message here.