High-quality comedy

Rating: 10/10 (31 August 2001)

Definitely one of my favorite movies and easily one of my favorite comedies, the Coen brothers' _The Big Lebowski_ delivers great laughs often with great subtlety. As such, the jokes may not go over well with everybody. But rarely have I seen such a well-done comedy with such well-placed, memorable quotes.
To name a few: "This aggression will not stand, man." "But they're amateurs." "Leads? Yeah, I'll just check with the guys in the crime lab downtown. They've got four more detectives working on the case. Leads!" "That's not her toe, dude." "Papers . . . business papers." "Yeah, well, that's your opinion, man." "Ah, that must be exhausting." "Some brown rust coloration." "Donny, you're out of your element!" "Phone's ringing, dude." "Well, there isn't a literal connection, dude." "He fixes the cable?" "No, Walter, it didn't look like Larry was about to crack!" And on and on and on. . . . All recognizable and well-loved by those who've seen this many times.
_The Big Lebowski_ most likely derives its title from the 1940s film-noir _The Big Sleep_, considering that each have a meandering plot, though _The Big Lebowski_ is of the comedic, laid-back variety (laid-back, just like the Dude) where you really needn't complain about the plot or lack thereof. Just sit back and relax with a White Russian and just have fun with this one as it takes you through the world of the Dude.
9 out of 10.