Misses the Mark

Rating: 5/10 (21 March 2010)

The Coen brothers, Joel and Ethan, have fired several shots here at another one of their obscure targets. In this instance, unlike the triumphs of "Miller's Crossing" and "Fargo", "The Big Lebowsky" misses the mark on most counts.
It is hard to work out what the lads were actually up to here. This film contains the "Coen" regulars such as a reluctant hero and a double twist in the plot, yet so much appears to be misplaced. Strange dreams containing trampolining nudes and giant bowling alleys, and a narrator come stranger played by Sam Elliott are all a little confusing. Maybe the Coens always wanted to work with the legendary Elliott; as for the weird dreams, well that's anybody's guess.
Jeff Bridges is ideal as the dated "dude", a throw back to the sixties when drugs and hippies were cool. Playing his close friend, John Goodman surprises as the short-fused Vietman-vet who specialises in getting the dude deeper into trouble. Other bizarre roles go to the sex-deviant bowler (John Turturro) and Peter Stormare as the ringleader of a German kidnapping group. Steve Buscemi, always fun, gets too little time on screen playing the third of the dude's trio.
It is a shame "The Big Lebowsky" didn't have the focus Coen brothers films normally have. The pic just tends too much towards fantasy to have any real impact.
Friday, November 27, 1998 - Astor Theatre StKilda