The Big Lebowski (1998)
A stoner movie for intellectuals?
Presentation:
This is one of the Coen Brother’s lighter films, which perfectly encapsulates their dark humor. This film is quite humorous with signature off beat sensibilities, which I attempt to describe as stoic ridiculousness but in a more mainstream format. The film centers on Jeff Bridge’s bumbling character, a useless stoner fumbling his words with uh’s and um’s. At times this dialogue is too overdone, we get it, he’s a moron even one hour in. The cinematography is good with Roger Deakins work, which has great angles and several very fantastical dream sequences. It’s a pretty fun movie in tone, but like all Coen films quite dark in themes.
Story:
What really happened is purposely ambiguous. It's a nearly impossible he said she said to illustrate the meaningless of events, and in this regard succeeds quite triumphantly.
Conclusion:
Similar to their other films most notably A Serious Man, we have similar elements of a tragic hero spiraling into despair with nihilistic themes. Perhaps the lighthearted nature of a guy that doesn’t care about anything but bowling and get wasted actually perfectly encapsulates this idea. It should certain resonate with those that drift through life without a care or purpose, emboldening the idea that nothing really matters in the end. This is the core of Coen films and just like all their films, it doesn’t matter, because it’s the laughs and ridiculousness on the way that makes it all worthwhile. Or perhaps you’ll find it all a waste of time if you can’t appreciate the artistic open ended style of the Coen Brothers.
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A stoner movie for intellectuals?