The Big Lebowski: The Special Edition

Welcome, movie freak. Assuming you're hovering over the aforementioned Coen Brothers title, wondering whether to whack it into the basket and check the hell out of here, I must insist that you to do just that. If ever a movie rewarded repeat viewing, it is The Big Lebowski. If ever a movie managed to walk a line, previously uncharted, at least since the thirties, between austere and stupid, it is The Big Lebowski. If ever a movie managed to make you love, and I mean REALLY LOVE, a 'loser', then it is The Big Lebowski.
There is so much to love here, it demands that you watch it repeatedly. The frightening focus of John Goodman's performance; the fearlessness of Steve Buscemi in playing an entirely thankless part; ditto Jon Turturro with knobs on; the career-best (and that's saying something) portrayal of The Dude by Jeff Bridges (wearing some of his own clothes. Yes! The cardigan is his!) The writing! The goddamned writing!
God bless the internet, there's a zillion other… more »

Welcome, movie freak. Assuming you're hovering over the aforementioned Coen Brothers title, wondering whether to whack it into the basket and check the hell out of here, I must insist that you to do just that. If ever a movie rewarded repeat viewing, it is The Big Lebowski. If ever a movie managed to walk a line, previously uncharted, at least since the thirties, between austere and stupid, it is The Big Lebowski. If ever a movie managed to make you love, and I mean REALLY LOVE, a 'loser', then it is The Big Lebowski.
There is so much to love here, it demands that you watch it repeatedly. The frightening focus of John Goodman's performance; the fearlessness of Steve Buscemi in playing an entirely thankless part; ditto Jon Turturro with knobs on; the career-best (and that's saying something) portrayal of The Dude by Jeff Bridges (wearing some of his own clothes. Yes! The cardigan is his!) The writing! The goddamned writing!
God bless the internet, there's a zillion other movies you could pick up today. This is one of the ones you really SHOULD pick up today.

After the slight disappointment of the Oscar winning 'No Country for Old Men', and despite the praise laid on that film by critics, the genius of Joel and Etan Coen only truely becomes apparent when producing their own material - adaptations and major studio collaborations as shown in the 'Ladykillers', 'Intolerable Cruelty' and 'No Country...' indicate they these guys shouldn't be constrained by either studios or other people's material. Despite being a flop in its day, 'The Big Lebowski' has become a monster cult hit and deservedly so, this is one of the few comedies that gets better with repeated viewings and virtually every line in the film's almost 2 hour running time is a quotable hilarious gem. This film is so consistantly amusing that it stands with the greatest comedy produced on film anywhere and at anytime. No matter what some critics might say, this is just as smart and as funny as anything Billy Wilder did at the top of his game. With a farcical structure aping the… more »

After the slight disappointment of the Oscar winning 'No Country for Old Men', and despite the praise laid on that film by critics, the genius of Joel and Etan Coen only truely becomes apparent when producing their own material - adaptations and major studio collaborations as shown in the 'Ladykillers', 'Intolerable Cruelty' and 'No Country...' indicate they these guys shouldn't be constrained by either studios or other people's material. Despite being a flop in its day, 'The Big Lebowski' has become a monster cult hit and deservedly so, this is one of the few comedies that gets better with repeated viewings and virtually every line in the film's almost 2 hour running time is a quotable hilarious gem. This film is so consistantly amusing that it stands with the greatest comedy produced on film anywhere and at anytime. No matter what some critics might say, this is just as smart and as funny as anything Billy Wilder did at the top of his game. With a farcical structure aping the Raymond Chandleresque world of film noir and with Bridges and Goodman arguably being the funniest film double act since Laurel and Hardy...yes, I did say L and H...this is a masterclass in comedy, given a quirky, dazzlingly look by the genius Coen boys...there may be films as funny as this, but you'd be hard pressed to find something consistantly funnier...my only gripe with the UK release is where did the BBFC get an '18' certificate for this film from? OK, there's a lot of what 'the stranger' refers to as 'cuss words' in the flick, but despite the kidnapping plot, there's little violence, except of the slapstick variety...if, like me, you were disappointed by 'No Country...' there's no better time to watch or re-watch this fantastic romp to remind you of just how great the Coen's are...this film is sunshine on a silver disc and I defy anyone not to come away with the biggest fixed grin on their face after viewing...