Absolutely nailed by the Coens (and Bridges).

Rating: 9/10 (24 April 2002)

Similar to the measured brilliance of Fargo, the Coen Brothers, Joel and Ethan, again delivered a perfectly structured and aimed tribute to the slacker in all of us.
The slacker in question is Jeff Lebowski, self-proclaiming himself 'The Dude'. Jeff Bridges gives a startling performance far from his usual troubled, semi-action roles like Blown Away and Arlington Road and proves himself to be one of the most consistently underrated actors in Hollywood. The Dude reigns supreme in his own personal sphere of Creedence, White Russians and, above all, bowling. The performance, I think, can be favourably compared to his last great role in Fearless and Jeff Bridges can be proud of his work.
As can John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, (even) Julianne Moore and, most hilariously John Turturro's cameo as Jesus the uptight, paedophilic rival who represents everything The Dude dismisses. It seems a brilliant quality in a director (I'm talking about Joel Coen here) to consistently extract good performances from any actors, regardless of their standing in Hollywood.
I could keep on about the relaxed directing or the inspired music selection, both perfectly complementing the ideals vaunted by the film... but I won't. Every aspect of this (and every other Coen Bros.) film is succintly placed within the whole.
It is this film particularly that makes the Coens directors/writers ones to watch. And remember to take the advice proffered to the heart... The Dude (in all of us) abides.