The Big Lebowski
1998
****
Director: Joel Coen
Cast: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, David Huddleston, John Turturro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tara Reid , Sam Elliott, David Thewlis, Ben Gazzara, Peter Stormare,
Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski, is a jobless slacker whose life revolves around bowling and smoking weed. Due to mistaken identity, he gets involved in the kidnapping of a trophy wife, which threatens his easygoing lifestyle. This dark Coen brothers comedy has become a cult favourite, but although the film is funny, it would not be one of my personal picks from their body of work. Jeff Bridges is absolutely brilliant as the Dude, who is one of the most endearing protagonists in cinema history. Sadly I can't say the same for some of the other characters and performances (John Goodman, Julianne Moore, and Peter Stormare). The dialogue is colourful, but the blackmail plot is long and overconvoluted.
