The Big Lebowski

It took me quite a while to realise what a creative and clever style of humour The Big Lebowski has. The script seems to be nothing but a showcase for all those amazing actors to display the bizarreness and exaggeration of their creations, but lacking substance. Yet the plot is packed to bursting with so many excellent gags, subtly hinted at or potential twists and a unique parody of many established narrative techniques, all while perfectly retaining its own distinctive face and, most importantly, never ceasing to surprise – rarely have I felt such a palpable joy in a film's sheer narrative, in the creation of witty retorts or one-liners, or in the direction of the actors themselves, whose performances really beg for their own lengthy commentary. Jeff "The Dude" Bridges clearly moves up to one of my favourite movie characters, John Goodman complements him brilliantly, and at times Philip Seymour Hoffman, who has this funniest role in his life, also speaks out vehemently. There is no need to talk about the amazingly inventive cinematography or the wicked soundtrack, they are par for the course with the Coens... 90% (06/05/2011)

The story is crafted to perfection; it perfectly combines a wet carpet, a kidnapping, blackmail, and vaginal art; there are well-written and well-cast characters, with one supporting role actually becoming a cult figure – yes, it’s Jesus Quintana. The Coen brothers (who are still brothers, even though it's no longer trendy) almost made me want to throw on a bathrobe, mix a White Russian, put on my headphones, and listen to the sounds of a bowling tournament or whales singing. (27/09/2021)

A perfect gob-smacker which starts completely innocently and as the minutes go by it gradually turns into a complex story full of twists. The cast is a story in itself because whoever appears on the screen gives their best ever performance. My personal favorite is no doubt John Goodman in the role of The Dude’s friend Walter (stepping over the foul line and the final fight are simply the best :-). (20/10/2006)

The absurdity across the board applied directly and only to Dude Lebowski himself keeps me quite grounded for once instead of cheering. It's not that Jeff Bridges isn't cool, or that I don't want to go bowling or taste White Russian, but this time I didn't have as much fun as I expected, even though it is filmed in the way in which only the Coen brothers can do it. And maybe that's the problem... my problem. (07/01/2007)

The Dude as a movie character is an incredible slacker with a capital "S", if I knew him personally I don't know how I would get along with him. The Big Lebowski is a quick whirlwind of storylines that are kicked off by one f*cking rug - it already sounds crazy, let alone after watching the whole movie. Jeff Bridges and John Goodman were absolutely brilliant in their roles, and the icing on the cake was the supporting role of my favorite, Julianne Moore. All in all, a pretty sharp film in places about a guy who has a couple of truly exhausting days. (21/07/2012)