Pederasts, nihilists and rugs

Rating: 6/10 (5 September 2017)

"The Big Lebowski" is an American 2-hour film from 1998, so this one will have its 20th anniversary next year. It is of course by the Oscar-winning Coen Brothers and even without gigantic awards attention, this is definitely a contender for their most known as it has turned into a real cult classic over the years. This is also thanks to the cast, not just to the script. There are 3 performers in here who won acting Oscars, namely Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore and of course Jeff Bridges who plays the central character in here and who is really good at it, even if I might give the edge to John Goodman (Argo, Roseanne) here in terms of who I'd pick as the film's MVP. But there's also people in here that you would not necessarily expect like Tara Reid or Flea. And then there's Coen regulars like Stormare, Buscemi (both Fargo) and Turturro (Barton Fink). A lot of fun for sure. The Coens once again succeed in writing even the minor characters in a way where they stay in mind thanks to their mannerisms and behavioral patterns. Very well done and this tendency has elevated many Coen films. And as absurd as these characters may seem, there is still something authentic to them. You never get the impression that you are actually watching actors here.
The result are many hilarious scenes like at the bowling alley early on (e.g. the gun scene) or also all the scenes with the Dude and Lebowski. I had to laugh so hard at some of these. Yes the film maybe got a bit worse in the second half and maybe the story took two or three plot twists or roads that may have been too absurd, but at this point it doesn't really matter anymore as you are truly sucked in by the entertainment. It's also not a film where you really wonder what will happen to the protagonists or care about them deeply. Instead you just enjoy the moment and what is happening to them this very instant. Good acting, strong writing, hilarious scenes, I was really close to giving this one a ****/***** and declaring it one of the very best of 1998, which it is without a doubt in the first 60 minutes. As for the entire thing, lets stick with three stars for now. I might change my opinion on rewatch though. Until then I (highly) recommend checking it out if you are one of the very few (like myself until today) who have not yet seen it. Also a must-see for bowling lovers.