# The Big Lebowski: What's the big deal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 23, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778 "2008-09-23T01:51:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/41 "2008-09-23T15:01:34Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](#): > > John Turturro’s performance as Jesus (he’s only in 3 minutes of the movie). Jesus Quintana: Let me tell you something, pendejo. You pull any of your crazy shit with us, you flash a piece out on the lanes, I’ll take it away from you, stick it up your ass and pull the fucking trigger 'til it goes “click.” The Dude: Jesus. Jesus Quintana: You said it, man. Nobody fucks with the Jesus. > [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](#): > > Lastly, and most important is that you need to have a sense of humor. Amend that to “you need to have a quirky since of humor and appreciation of the bizarre.” If your idea of a funny movie is limited to Norah Ephrem rom-coms, the Coen Brothers aren’t for you (although the insufferably dull _Intolerably Cruelty_ got close). > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > John Goodman’s performance is underappreciated in that movie. Not by me; not only is he completely, scene-chewingly, brilliantly over the top, he also reminds me in appearance, speech, and manner of a guy I used to work with (although, to my knowledge, he did not bowl). But heck, there wasn’t one bad performance in the whole film. I agree with **The Other Jeffrey Lebowski** : it helps to be familiar with the entire genre of _film noir_; ditto with _The Man Who Was Not There_, which is utterly deadpan in its humor and seemed to slide right by most viewers. Frankly, this is true of _Blood Simple_, too, as well as the vastly underrated John Dahl film, _The Last Seduction_. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/42 "2008-09-23T15:12:49Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > John Goodman’s performance is underappreciated in that movie. He’s brilliant in it. That movie turned my opinion on John Goodman around 180 degrees. I’d never liked him before I saw The Big Lebowski. Granted, I don’t think anything he’s done since then is THIS good, but he’s terrific as Walter. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/43 "2008-09-23T16:36:47Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I’d never liked him before I saw The Big Lebowski. Granted, I don’t think anything he’s done since then is THIS good, but he’s terrific as Walter. Not to diss **The Big Lebowski** , definitely one of my faves for all of the reasons alreasy enumerated ( and yes it took me multiple viewings to really appreciate it ), but IMHO Goodman’s finest performance was in another Coen vehicle, **Barton Fink**. A perfect blend of earnest salt-of-the-earth charm mixed with a hint of subtle menace. It’s an unnerving performance and if you ask me it should have easily been oscar-nominated for Best Supporting Actor, along with or even if necessary instead of, Michael Lerner ( who did a fine job and was the one actually nominated from the film ). ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/44 "2008-09-23T16:47:14Z")
The scene where Goodman tries to dump the ashes only to have the wind blow it to the Dude’s face leaves me crying every time. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/45 "2008-09-23T16:48:49Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Not to diss **The Big Lebowski** , definitely one of my faves for all of the reasons alreasy enumerated ( and yes it took me multiple viewings to really appreciate it ), but IMHO Goodman’s finest performance was in another Coen vehicle, **Barton Fink**. A perfect blend of earnest salt-of-the-earth charm mixed with a hint of subtle menace. It’s an unnerving performance and if you ask me it should have easily been oscar-nominated for Best Supporting Actor, along with or even if necessary instead of, Michael Lerner ( who did a fine job and was the one actually nominated from the film ). Agreed. Lerner was great, but Goodman was even better. He is terribly underrated. I will never forget his performance as Madman Munt. Hey, the brothers are already shooting another movie which is set in their home state and concerns a Jewish family: [http://movies.about.com/od/moviesinproduction/a/serious090808.htm](http://movies.about.com/od/moviesinproduction/a/serious090808.htm) Not that I think this is really autobiographical, but their parents were both university professors, and the movie is being filme in and around where the brothers grew up. Intriguing. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@The\_Tof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tof)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/46 "2008-09-23T17:02:29Z")
It’s funny- I’ve loved this movie for so long that until I saw it mentioned so many times here- I would hardly believe myself that I also wasn’t sure what to make of it on my first run through. I’m not even sure why I watched it again, except I have so many friends who loved it, I must have thought to give it another go. Honestly, I’m not one to be all… “Because I Love it it’s great, and if you don’t enjoy it you’re just pathetic.” If you don’t like enjoy it, and you’ve given it an honest try… well, it’s just not your thing. The Coen’s are like that. It’s funny, my parents just saw it for the first time the other day. I was at their house, and they asked me… “Have you seen The Big Lebowski?” I say, “Yeah! It’s one of my favorite movies!” They respond with how strange it is… and I reply stunned… ."But how can you not find it funny when… " I think I mentioned when they fill up Steve Buscemi’s ashes in the coffee can (“It’s our most modestly priced recepticle.” “Just because we’re bereaved doesn’t make us SAPS!”) And we then went on to discuss funny parts for 5 minutes. My point is, I definitely think this is a movie that just grows on you, and it’s still funny to me after dozens of viewings. Compare that to say “Borat…”, to me was amazingly funny the first time I saw it. When I saw it pop up on DVD- I rented it for a second viewing, and ended up turning it off. In the meantime-- I’ve got a beverage here, man. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/47 "2008-09-23T17:12:22Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > The scene where Goodman tries to dump the ashes only to have the wind blow it to the Dude’s face leaves me crying every time. In accordance with what we think he may have wanted… I have the feeling that that very same line is going to be uttered at my mom’s (eventual) funeral. ---
**Author:** ![Dosipede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dosipede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dosipede)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/48 "2008-09-23T17:14:13Z")
I hear a lot of people say they didn’t like it the first time around, then it grew on them. Not so for me. I thought it was awesome from the first weekend I saw it in the theater, and it’s only gotten better from there. How can you not laugh when he drops is roach on his lap while driving, tries to douse the burning with his beer, all while being followed by a mysterious man in a blue Volkswagen, and ultimately crashes into a trash can on the street, a jarring collision that lifts the Torino’s front tires entirely off the ground? Movie’s all right. Dude’s car got a little dinged up. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/49 "2008-09-23T17:15:31Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I’ve tried to watch and enjoy this movie several times. I just don’t find it funny and I usually love the Coen brothers. Am I just not cool enough to ‘get it?’ > > \*Raising Arizona \*is probably my favorite Coen movie with \*Fargo \*not far behind Are you male or female? 😕 Women _tend_ to not get it. No Country for Old Men sucked donkey dick. No, wait- it didn’t- as at least sucking a donkey dick is a clearly understandable act. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/50 "2008-09-23T17:22:17Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > No Country for Old Men sucked donkey dick. No, wait- it didn’t- as at least sucking a donkey dick is a clearly understandable act. I think I can get on board with that line of thinking. Big Coen Bro’s fan. Love _Lebowski_. It’s my favorite Coen Bro’s film, with _Raising Arizona_ practically tied. I also loved _O Brother Where Are Thou?_ and I thought _Ladykillers_ was effing brlilliant … hell I even enjoyed _Fargo_. But I just didn’t get _No Country …_. On the other hand, this is the Coen Brothers we’re talking about. I reserve the right to love it if I can force myself to watch it again. And let me leave with this thought: “Nihilists! Fuck me. I mean, say what you like about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it’s an ethos.” ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/51 "2008-09-23T17:23:56Z")
Count me in as another who just hated it. I’m a woman, but I don’t like chick flicks, and usually tend to like a lot of “guy” movies, so I figured I’d like it, but nope. Hated it from the get-go. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/52 "2008-09-23T17:25:03Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Not to diss **The Big Lebowski** , definitely one of my faves for all of the reasons alreasy enumerated ( and yes it took me multiple viewings to really appreciate it ), but IMHO Goodman’s finest performance was in another Coen vehicle, **Barton Fink**. I’ve seen most of their movies, but not that one. (I think I’ve missed that one, Blood Simple and Burn After Reading.) I’ll have to get around to it. > [@pepperlandgirl](#): > > In accordance with what we think he may have wanted… That scene is just a masterpiece of bumbling comedy, start to finish. ---
**Author:** ![TNWPsycho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@TNWPsycho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TNWPsycho)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/53 "2008-09-23T18:03:49Z")
I didn’t really like the plot of the movie, seems to me like its been done many times. But the dialogue is what made it for me. Not to mention the quirky characters like Jesus, Donny, and Walter. Final rating: Great movie ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/54 "2008-09-23T19:30:21Z")
Dude: I need my Johnson! Donny: What do you need that for Dude? I am SO headed for Hollywood video today ---
**Author:** ![JohnM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/848f3c/32.png) [@JohnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnM)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/55 "2008-09-23T19:34:00Z")
> [@davidw](#): > > The best part is that Walter was actually right, and it was someone else’s toe. Yep, and do you know who nihilist girl was? Singer-songwriter Aimee Mann. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/56 "2008-09-23T19:45:52Z")
> [@davidw](#): > > The best part is that Walter was actually right, and it was someone else’s toe. I love that Walter really does turn out to be a badass at the end too. He’s not all talk. “They won’t hurt us, Donny. These men are cowards.” ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/57 "2008-09-24T00:01:43Z")
> [@JohnM](#): > > Yep, and do you know who nihilist girl was? Singer-songwriter Aimee Mann. Holy fuck! ---
**Author:** ![Typo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5fc32e/32.png) [@Typo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/58 "2008-09-24T00:16:58Z")
I just recently saw this for the first time, actually. I was cooking at the time so I couldn’t really focus on the “plot,” which probably helped. Every so often I’d catch a bit of dialogue and wind up laughing - I remember the nihilist line particularly cracked me up. Walter was great. I swear I’ve known Walter. No, I didn’t love it and I’m not sure I _quite_ get why it’s so highly regarded by many, but I’d probably catch it again just for the heck of it. O Brother remains my favorite Coen, then Fargo, then TBL, then Raising Arizona. Haven’t seen No Country yet. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/59 "2008-09-24T02:38:33Z")
One of the nice features of the 10th Anniversary Edition (besides the bowling ball case) is Jeff sharing his photos from life on the set. On all his films, Bridges plays photojournalist, and passes out books of his images to the crew. He uses a panoramic Widelux camera and gets some really cool shots. ---
**Author:** ![Shamozzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778/60 "2008-09-24T04:02:47Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I think it’s one of the dumbest stupidest wastes of time on celluloid. > [@Scumpup](#): > > I’ve tried and failed twice to watch it all the way through. It’s the most teeth-grindingly irritating and stupid movie I can think of. I loved every other movie by the Coen brothers that I’ve ever seen; even the much-despised **The Ladykillers**. **The Big Lebowski** as a whole irritates me too much to watch, and the specifically the character of The Dude makes me want to kick a hole in my TV every moment he is on screen. > [@Anaamika](#): > > Count me in as another who just hated it. I’m a woman, but I don’t like chick flicks, and usually tend to like a lot of “guy” movies, so I figured I’d like it, but nope. Hated it from the get-go. “Shut the fuck up, Donnies” (Or would that be _Donnii_?) Of course, I’m 100% kidding :):)🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-lebowski-whats-the-big-deal/464778.md?page=4)