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Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, David Huddleston ... see more see more... , Philip Seymour Hoffman , Peter Stormare , Flea , Leon Russom , Sam Elliott , Tara Reid , John Turturro , David Thewlis , Ben Gazzara , Aimee Mann , Dom Irrera , Jon Polito , Asia Carrera , Peter Siragusa , Christian Clemenson , Jack Kehler , Philip Moon , James G. Hoosier , Jimmie Dale Gilmore , Richard Gant , Mark Pellegrino , Paris Themmen , Torsten Voges

The plot of this Raymond Chandler-esque comedy crime caper from the Coen Brothers (Joel Coen and Ethan Coen) pivots around a case of mistaken identity complicated by extortion, double-crosses, decepti... read more read more...on, embezzlement, sex, pot, and gallons of White Russians (made with fresh cream, please). In 1991, unemployed '60s refugee Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) grooves into his laid-back Los Angeles lifestyle. One of the laziest men in LA, he enjoys hanging with his bowling buddies, pompous security-store owner Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) and mild-mannered ex-surfer Donny (Steve Buscemi). However, the Dude's life takes an alternate route the afternoon two goons break into his threadbare Venice, California, bungalow, rough him up, and urinate on his living room rug. Why? Because Jackie Treehorn (Ben Gazzara) is owed money by the wife of a certain Jeff Lebowski. However, the goons grabbed the wrong Jeff Lebowski. With the right info, they would have invaded the home of philanthropic Pasadena millionaire Jeffrey Lebowski (David Huddleston). The Dude looks up his wealthy namesake, manages to get a replacement for his rug, and meets the millionaire's sexy young wife Bunny (Tara Reid). Later, Jeffrey ("The Big") Lebowski calls in the Dude to deliver a $1 million ransom for the return of his kidnapped wife. Fine -- except that Walter intrudes and botches the ransom drop. As events unravel, the Dude gets caught up in the schemes of Lebowski's daughter, erotic artist Maude (Julianne Moore), encounters both cops and bad guys, and drifts through an elaborate bowling fantasy sequence titled Gutterballs. The soundtrack includes Bob Dylan, Yma Sumac, Moondog, Captain Beefheart, and the Sons of the Pioneers. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Flixster Users

93% liked it

305,096 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

83 critics

R, 1 hr. 58 min.

Directed by: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Asia Carrera, Ben Gazzara, Christian Clemenson, David Huddleston, David Thewlis, Flea, Jack Kehler, James G. Hoosier, Jeff Bridges, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, John Goodman, John Turturro, Jon Polito, Julianne Moore

Release Date: March 6, 1998

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DVD Release Date: October 27, 1998

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Stats: 31,187 reviews

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The Big Lebowski The Big Lebowski The Big Lebowski Sam Elliott and Jeff Bridges John Goodman and Jeff Bridges The Big Lebowski The Big Lebowski John Goodman The Big Lebowski The Big Lebowski The Big Lebowski <i>The Big Lebowski</i> The Big Lebowski Jesus Quintara <i> The Big Lebowski</i> Nobody FUCKS with the Jesus! The Big Lebowski The Big Lebowski
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Flixster Reviews (31,187)

  • jmanard52
    August 27, 2011
    jmanard52
    The Dude abides. Not much else I can say but what a great movie this is. One of the all time great cult films.
  • MrMarakai
    May 23, 2012
    MrMarakai
    This film has such a massive cult following that it has even spawned a traveling, annual festival called "The Lebowski Fest", at which fans congregate dressed as their favourite characters. It has also amassed a new belief system called "Dudeism" of which you can be ordained as a... read more Dudeist priest. Now, this might be going a bit far but it's all in the name of fun, of which, this Coen brothers tale supplies plenty of.
    Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) is a cannabis smoking throwback from the seventies. He minds his own business, enjoying "bowling, driving around and the occasional acid flashback". One day, two thugs break into his home and urinate on his rug - "which really tied the room together". As he looks for answers, he finds that he has been mistaken for his namesake Jeffrey Lebowski, the Passadena millionaire (David Huddleston). Otherwise referred to as "The Big Lebowski. Looking for compensation for his rug, he pays the millionaire a visit and finds that his absent, trophy wife Bunny (Tara Reid) owes money all over town - including known pornographer Jackie Treehorn (Ben Gazarra), who sent the thugs (to the wrong house) to collect on the debt. But the thugs aren't the only ones who have gotten their Lebowski's mixed up. A trio of Nihilists threaten "The Dude" for a ransom of $1 million, claiming they will kill his wife. Reluctantly, "The Dude" gets involved, with his crazed Vietnam veteran buddy Walter (John Goodman), in trying to get the bottom of all the confusion. Does this make sense? Don't worry, "The Dude" doesn't get it either.
    Trying to even give a synopsis of the plot in this complex tale, is hard enough, but that's to the Coens' credit in concocting this elaborate modern day private detective story. In the past, the Coens payed homage to crime writer Dashiell Hammett with "Miller's Crossing" and here, they pay homage to Hammett's contemporary Raymond Chandler. It has all the elements of a classic private-eye yarn but masquerades as a zany comedy. It's so much more than that. It's a film that relies heavily on consistently sharp dialogue and each word, pause and stammer are delivered perfectly by an exceptionally brilliant cast; Bridges is a very fine actor but this is his moment of glory, in a role that is perfectly suited. He has received numerous plaudits throughout his career - for his more serious roles - but this is his most iconic. Coens regular John Goodman is also at his maniacal best as his loyal buddy, Walter. Sam Elliott is wonderfully endearing, as "The Stranger", in cowboy attire, that's narrates the whole wacky tale and a scene-stealing John Turturro is simply unforgettable as Jesus Quintana, a latino, sex-offending bowler. In fact, it's very difficult to single out a specific performance, there are so many great appearances: from the likes of Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, David Thewlis, Ben Gazzara, Jon Polito and the always marvellous Philip Seymour Hoffman. The entire cast are just sublime and deliver their, razor sharp, dialogue under the most creative guidance from the Coens. It's not just the performances that stand out though; usual Coens cinematographer Roger Deakins works with a rich and colourful pallet and the choice of music throughout, accompanies the scenes perfectly.
    I could go on and pick out every perfect detail of this classic but then I'd just be ruining it for you, even if you've already seen it. It'll do no harm to see it again - with a spliff and a beverage - and allow your "casualness to run deep".
    I have tried to find the words that do this film justice but I still don't think I have. Rest assured though, this is the most enjoyable Coens movie to date and an instant cult classic that wll take one hell of a film to topple it from my #1 spot.
  • 366weirdmovies
    May 21, 2012
    366weirdmovies
    When thugs urinate on his carpet in a case of mistaken identity, 60s burnout "the Dude" is drawn into a complicated caper involving a millionaire's kidnapped porn-star wife---in the middle of his bowling league playoffs! This quirky Coen brothers gem is, almost without a doubt, t... read morehe greatest acid-flashback bowling-noir comedy ever made.
  • fb100001581602053
    May 12, 2012
    fb100001581602053
    A perfect 10. That's a bowling joke. And a double meaning. This movie is a perfect 10. If this movie was a woman, I'd be kind of grossed out.... But a little attracted. But this movie is a movie, not a woman.
  • aquateen2
    April 8, 2012
    aquateen2
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]

    It's a fact that the 1990's wasn't the best decade for witty and smart comedy movies, but The Big Lebowski was an exception. It's a real shame the critics didn't embrace it because it's truly deserving o... read moref it's cult status. There's excellent chemistry between Bridges, Goodman and Buscemi and it's surprising "mumble" core style of comedy is just plain funny. In fact, it's so good that I can completely ignored the plot inconsistencies. It's not a solid movie, it's all over the place, but it is absolutely hilarious.
  • fb1664868775
    March 25, 2012
    fb1664868775
    I mean, c'mon, how can anyone not like this movie. The Dude has now become iconic.to slackers worldwide.
  • jamers2011
    December 5, 2011
    jamers2011
    Super fun movie, man! Very funny film with awesome characters. Jeff Bridges and John Goodman are so great. I'm still not a huge Coen Brothers' fan, but this was definitely entertaining. I recommend it!
  • fb100002535597619
    October 13, 2011
    fb100002535597619
    This is one of the best comedies I have ever seen. The film offers sharp, witty humor, fun and interesting characters, and an absurd but fun plot.
  • ajv2688
    September 23, 2011
    ajv2688
    This movie is very very 90s, and with the mixture of thriller conventions, edgy independent styles, and a bit of extravagance, you get the Coen bros. style. Overall, I didn't like this movie much, it wasn't as funny as I thought it would be, nor was it very exciting. It's not a... read more bad movie, though, there are a lot of interesting scenes. If you're a fan of the Coen bros, you should see it.
  • CreedsDelight
    September 21, 2011
    CreedsDelight
    'The Big Lebowski' is not only a terrific film, it's a celebration. This is the number one cult classic of all time, and I truly cannot imagine anything else taking it's place. I guess there is no real reason for this to be in my top five favorite comedies, but each time I watch ... read moreit, it just clicks with me and I can't seem to get enough of it. The Coen Brothers (granted, they both wrote it but only Joel was the credited director) have crafted something of pure greatness, as well as all of their films that have followed. They both are very talented writers and with 'Lebowski', they have created the most quotable lines ever ("All the dude wanted was his carpet back", "Shut the fuck up Donnie") that become more funny after every viewing. The noir selections of this are well-intended and shot terrifically. I hate to admit it, I am guilty. I just saw this for the first time not too long ago, but even if I'm a newbie 'Lebowski' fan, and I'm not as a big a fan as others, I am confident to say that this was a terrific film that is suitable and clearly intended for multiple viewings. For many people, this is the film that made them fall in love with film. While I can't say that because I fell in love with film decades prior to seeing this, but I do understand why this is such a celebrated film. It has received so much praise from audiences and critics alike, that it has spawned a documentary and even costume screenings. The cast assembled here is perfectly picked and unbelievably charismatic. There is so much to say, but I'll start with the obvious; this is Jeff Bridges greatest performance. Jeff is so magnificent in his portrayal of the bowler/slacker Jeff Lebowski, but everyone calls him "The Dude, His Dudeness, or El Duderino" (by far my favorite line from this). John Goodman stars as Walter Sobchak, a retired veteran whose mind is "stuck" in Vietnam. Goodman is extremely well casted, and knows how to deliver his angry lines ("This is what happens when you fuck a stranger in the ass!"), but always seems to want to go bowling after all that happens throughout the film. Steve Buscemi plays Donnie, the innocent one, who according to Walter, needs to shut the fuck up. Donnie is apart of the bowling trio, and Buscemi is great, but his character isn't very important until the third act. Julianne Moore is Maude Lebowski, offering yet another fantastic role from this film. Maude is a free spirit, as well as a sexually insane feminist. The only issue I ran into with this character was that Moore was marketed as one of the key players in the film, and while she has some screen time, definitely not enough to be considered a bigger character than Donnie. Come to think of it, John Turturro's character Jesus had maybe five minutes or less of screen time, yet his name is on the poster. Being a very likable actor, there was no way that I wasn't going to love Sam Elliot in this. Elliot is one of the funniest characters in the film delivering an intentional over the top performance as The Stranger who delivers one of the most important lines in the end. I want to mention one more role, and that was Phillip Seymour Hoffman's character, Brandt, who was the assistant to The Big Lebowski. Hoffman's character is just so innocent and likable that I can't help but smile every time I see his character attempting to be the biggest kiss-ass to The Big Lebowski. He's particularly funny when he begins to call Jeff "The Dude" while intentionally making his character as over the top and ridiculous he can be. All of these characters are ultimately met with pleasing results. As I mentioned, there is no real reason why this is one of my favorites of all time, it just clicks with me. It's not expected that a small film about a case of mistaken identity would be this astounding and re-watchable, but it manages to be ridiculously fun. As I watch it over and over again, I realize how ridiculous and stupid 'The Big Lebowski' is, but you know what? I enjoy it each and every time. The dude abides.

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Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy
November 7, 2007
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Adds up to considerably less than the sum of its often scintillating parts. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
April 27, 2007
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

The result is a lot of laughs and a feeling of awe toward the craftsmanship involved. I doubt that there'll be anything else like it the rest of this year. Full Review

Rick Groen
April 25, 2003
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

A typical Coen brothers film is like no film you've ever seen. Full Review

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

As tempting as it is to completely dismiss The Big Lebowski, it's hard to do because the Coens are able to create wickedly funny eccentrics and possess the ability to energize certain actors to inhabi... Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

The Big Lebowski is a mess. But what a glorious, wonderfully-entertaining mess it is. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
January 1, 2000
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

The Dude and Sobchak begin as caricatures too, but they're allowed to grow into something deeper, if only because the humanist economy of the Coens' surrealist vaudeville allows for a couple of human ... Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It's weirdly engaging, like its hero. Full Review

Edward Guthmann
January 1, 2000
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

There are more ideas here, more wacko side characters and plot curlicues than the film can support, and inevitably it deflates from having to shoulder so much. Full Review

Andrew O'Hehir
January 1, 2000
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com

A genial spoof about life on the unhinged margins of L.A. that's a lot more carefully constructed than it pretends to be. Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

This plot need not be taken too seriously. Watching it amble along is enough of a treat, since the Coens populate this story with oddballs and bowling balls of such comic variety.

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Facts

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    • The Dude: I can't be worrying about that shit. Life goes on, man.
    • Walter Sobchak: The ringer cannot look empty.
    • Malibu Police Chief: I don't like your jerk-off name, I don't like your jerk-off face, I don't like your jerk-off behavior, and I don't like you... jerk-off.
    • Walter Sobchak: Has the whole world gone CRAZY? Am I the only one around here who gives a shit about the rules? You think I'm fuckin' around, MARK IT ZERO!
    • Walter Sobchak: Look, Larry. Have you ever heard of Vietnam?
    • The Dude: Ha hey, this is a private residence man.
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The Big Lebowski Trivia

  • Who has starred in the following movies? - Resevoir Dogs - Con Air - Armageddon - The Big Lebowski - Fargo  Answer »
  • In The Big Lebowski, what classic rock group does the Dude hate?  Answer »
  • What Character was played by Tara Ried in The Big Lebowski?  Answer »
  • From which film is the following quote taken from? "You want a toe? I can get you a toe, believe me. There are ways"  Answer »
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