Not as great as everyone seems to think

Rating: Null/10 (16 April 2004)

I'm not sure what the big fuss is about this film. I didn't connect with the main characters: whilst there was sympathy there, I did not feel the empathy for the main character we've come to expect from Hollywood. The framing device for the film detracted for it and made it odd from the start.
The basic plot of the film is that a layabout has his life intruded by the problems of another man, he's exploited but, through forces out of his control, for instance his irritating layabout friend, manages to outwit the baddie and, at the end of the film, things are fairly much status quo, apart from Lebowski being a rug and a friend down. The answer to this predicament? Go bowling! What is this film about? It's not a feel-good film, it's not a feel-bad film, it's not a go-out-and-change-your-life film. If anything, it serves to prove the futility and banality of much of life, yet does nothing with this chance. A wasted opportunity, a wasted film budget and a wasted hour and a half. Ok, that's a bit harsh. The film is not bad as such, it's just been hyped somewhat and I expected a lot more. Watch it by all means, just don't expect to get too much out of it: a couple of funny moments, that's really about it.