The Big Lebowski

He Went Out In Search of A Rug But Found So Much More

Director: The Coen Brothers
Release Date: 1998
Rating: 18
Running Time: 110 mins
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Actors: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Jullianne Moore

"The rug really tied the room together"

When his rug is stolen by criminals after he is mistaken for Billionaire Jeffrey "The Big" Lebowkski, The Dude (Bridges) sets off in search of the illusive man in the hope of finding the men responsible for this theft in the hope of being lead to his rug. Though from one problem spiralling into another, The Dude and his buddies Walter (Goodman) and Donnie (Buscemi) are roped into a conspiracy involving the kidnapping of The Big Lebowski's young newly wedded wife. Held at ransom for a considerable amount of money and after being sent her toe in the mail, The Dude and his friends have got to try and come up with away to rescue Mrs Lebowski before they're sent any other part of her, but also most importantly...find his rug.

There's no doubt the Coen's pride themselves on their humour, their dark yet at the same time effectively light hearted narratives, but most of all there's no doubt they pride themselves on laying out a complicated film riddled with twists and turns only really to find out the whole thing is a bit of a farce. Spun into a web of lies, deceit and foolishness, The Big Lebowski becomes a film that no one can fully understand what is going on at first viewing, but will soon turn out to be a fantastically spun comedy.

Jeff Bridges and John Goodman without a doubt make a fantastic double act as The Dude and Walter; who as a duo manage to find the line between perfect comedy, heart-warming bromance and lovers tiffs. It's obvious that the two have some deep problems: The Dude being a lazy unemployed stoner who will nearly always leave the house in just a dressing gown and underwear not giving a damn. And Walter, a short tempered ex Vietnam Vet who as a result will often act rashly and spontaneously resulting in some fantastic consequences, (throwing the blackmailers a duffle bag of dirty underwear oppose to money, smashing up a strangers car and of course biting off a mans ear). Both men share a common view that when all else fails, go bowling.

With the help of The Big Lebowski's daughter Maude (Julianne Moore), The Dude searches for the missing Lebowski and thus begins a story like no other. For me, this is still one of the funniest films of it's generation and though you may not know completely what is actually going you, you'll enjoy it none the less.

9/10