The Big Lebowski

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Where can i find a discussion, theme, analysis of the Big Lebowski? It opens like a western, why? Why does Steve B. die at the end? How does the movie reflect the characteristics of a tragedy?

>>By Jake   (Monday, 16 Dec 2002 03:18)



steve b dies at the end otherwise the whole film would have just gone round in a big circle which it does really anyway but at least its funny and the dude and walter are the perfect odd couple don't you think

>>By the dude   (Sunday, 26 Jan 2003 19:41)



...or his dudeness, or El Duderino if you're not into all this berevity shit.

>>By shi ttyarse   (Thursday, 13 Mar 2003 14:08)



I thought Buscemi dying was sort of jarring and wasn't a good idea in the larger sense.

As for why the movie opens as a western, I don't think it's intended to be a western per se. The music and the opening scene both focus your thoughts on tumbleweeds. Tumbleweeds are symbolic for The Dude. The western theme also brings in Sam Elliott and his role as the cowboy stranger. But you know about 20 seconds in that it's not a western, so I don't think it was intended to evoke that so much.

>>By Liam O'Brien   (Sunday, 30 Mar 2003 13:24)



Can anyone tell me the name of the president that is seen bowling in a poster in this film? I have watched this movie several times now and I see cannot find this scene.

>>By Jassy   (Thursday, 1 May 2003 20:21)



its truman

>>By joe   (Thursday, 8 May 2003 02:16)



It's actually Richard Nixon.

>>By Jim   (Sunday, 11 May 2003 04:03)



It is Nixon.....Nixon was an avid bowler and was actually the one who had the bowling alley built in the White House.

>>By Maude   (Thursday, 22 May 2003 03:38)



Im writing a paper on the musical aspect of the lebowski, I would love any input or suggestions to focus on and what not

>>By chrystal   (Monday, 2 Jun 2003 03:01)



http://x-stream.fortunecity.com/fleetst/71/

This is one of the best sites for Coen Brothers movies. If the link per chance doesn't work google: Coen Brothers You Know For Kids. That will get you there too. I will confess that I have seen TBL at least 15 times, probably more. I love that movie, as well as Fargo, which I have seen almost as many times and I have all the other Coen Brothers movies as well. Least favorite is the Hudsucker Proxy, but still, I have seen that one more than once. The Coens are my favorites movie makers and there are no others like them. I wish I could sit in on their conversations when they start thinking about making a movie, and while they are writing it. It must be hilarious.

As for the musical aspect of TBL, the Dude has this thing about Creedence Clearwater Revival and hates The Eagles. When he loses his rickety old car, he is more concerned about the Creedence tapes. Why the Dude did not like the LA based Eagles and preferred the SF Bay Area based Creedance is in my opinion a matter of political philosophy; of commercially oriented band versus stoner band, but I could be wrong. Another interesting thing is that the Coens use the Eagles' "Hotel California", but not BY the Eagles but by the Gypsy Kings instead. A litle in-joke perhaps.

Then of course there is Kenny Rogers' (still with the First Edition, and not a country music person at all) "I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in" which was a totally stoner song in the 60s, and you might say an "anthem" for the Dude.

Good luck with your paper!! And try to see all the Coen Brothers movies!!

>>By magouche   (Tuesday, 6 Jan 2004 17:36)



The movie may open like a western but it's key references are in film noir. The Coen brothers have referred to the movie as 'Bowling Noir', which I find fantastically funny. The structure is obviously rooted in the noir traditions of double cross, behind double cross, behind double cross. It's interesting to note how many of their films involve either double crosses, or ransoms, or kidnaps, all of them noir staples. Fargo has all three, as does the Big Lebowski and Raising Arizona. O Brother where art thou? has all but the kidnap as does The Man Who Wasn't There. Millers Crossing is full of double crosses (as far as I recall).

It's clear that the Coens influences are rooted in the traditions of cinema from the 30s and 40s, the Hudsucker Proxy is a clear homage to the movies of that time (and highly underrated IMHO). The classics of noir are from this era, and that is what informs their sensibilities. What I find so incredible about them is that within this genre they have such a range, from the comic genius of TBL, to the slow build tension of Fargo, up to the depth and pacing of The man who wasn't there.

Does this sound too pretentious? If it does, my apologies. I only wan't to add that I cannot help but laugh every time that Phillip Seymour Hoffman says 'Dude', no matter how many times I watch the film. I'm laughing just thinking about it.

>>By Dibs   (Thursday, 8 Jan 2004 14:32)



No no no you don't sound pretentious at all, I am so there. "Bowling Noir", what a thighslapper. Had not really made the "cross" connection, good point, and so obvious in hindsight, now that you explained it. I love Philip Seymour Hoffman in ANYTHING... what a range, and you are right, no one says ah... pauze... Dude, like he does!

>>By magouche   (Saturday, 10 Jan 2004 13:47)



This is definitely without any doubt my favorite movie, just watched it the other night for the millionth time. I just wanted to take some time to recite some of my favorite quotes...

"Well, that's just like...your opinion man."

"That had not occured to us dude."

"I've had a really bad day and I hate the f****** Eagles!"

Dude: "The creep can roll man..."
Walter: "Yeah but he's a pervert"
Dude: "Yeah"
Walter: "No he's a pedophile with a record. He served 6 months in Chino for exposing himself to an 8 year old. When he moved to Hollywood he had to go door to door to tell everyone that he was a pederast."
Donny: Walter, what's a pederast?"
Walter: "Shut the f*** up donny."

>>By jackietreehorn   (Thursday, 19 Feb 2004 04:46)



Could this be the greatest movie of all time? Probably not, but it should be!!!!

You mix one hell of a caucasian Jackie!

>>By Ben Hollywood   (Friday, 27 Feb 2004 05:37)



"Phone's ringing, Dude"

"Thank you, Donny"

>>By AxnJxn   (Monday, 1 Mar 2004 16:54)



I havent seen the movie ion a while a long while not including when a horrible edited version appears on comedy central but i think my favorite quote and one I use sometime is "Donny your out of your element." "Your like a small child who just walked into a movie" and of course "This is what happens when you F--- a stranger in the A--!"

>>By Billy Pilgrim   (Tuesday, 2 Mar 2004 05:48)



"Let me tell you something pendejo, if you pull any of your crazy shits with us, if you flash your piece out one the lanes ... I'll take it away from you and stick it up your ass and pull thr fucking trigger till it goes 'clic'"

>>By ak_wopah   (Monday, 6 Dec 2004 03:36)



Nothing should be different in this movie. It's perfect exactly the way it is. Nothing works together more in this world than the flow of this movie. It's inspired and inspiring. I love it with all of my red heart. I could watch and re-watch this everyday for at least 6 or 7 years in a row. I know it.

>>By ifucinski   (Sunday, 3 Jun 2007 07:47)



Yep, it's a brilliant film. I really need to see it again.

>>By Flagg   (Monday, 4 Jun 2007 17:13)



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