The man and his myth: Joel and Ethan Coen's The Big Lebowski
Published January 18, 2004
If The Dude is taken is an ideal, there is a revealed level of change between what the is admired in the group the film is meant to appeal to. There is both a sense of accepted (if not glamorized) mediocracy - the character is unemployed, is easily beaten and uses drugs and alcohol to no end - and the stereotypical assertiveness (although confused) and heroism. The Dude isn't perfect, yet is glamorized because of it - and still essentially "wins" in the end.
The Coen brothers' films have always had a real element of noir in them, and The Big Lebowski is no different. The plotline is engaging enough - and may not be the full appeal for me - but their noir roots tug too much at the end. The film generally is split into many ends - a bowling competition that never amounts to anything, a visualization of drug usage that is somewhat force-fed into the overall plot, a romanticizing of The Dude and a noir. When one element becomes the film's focus, it feels out of place. There is a juggling act between co-existing pieces that isn't handled completely well.
The Big Lebowski might be a part of their noir lineup of unexpected characters and settings - but serves more interesting as a portrait of a mythological social majority character, and how he relates to his peers.
- The man and his myth: Joel and Ethan Coen's The Big Lebowski
- Published: January 18, 2004
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- Section: Video
- Writer: John Lars Ericson
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I don't really care if the Dude is lazy or not, he's awesome. Long live the Dude.
I think the laziness is precisely why The Dude is so admired. Which is why I find it intriguing that he's the hero for the white, working-class heterosexual men in the film - and for them, in general. Quite the opposite from the downright assertive nature of your stereotypical white, heterosexual male hero.
The Dude beats Gordon Gekko (Wall Street) any day of the week.
I love this movie. And I really thought John Goodman's character was hilarious.
I really, really hope the Coens make a sequel.
But that's just my opinion Man.
The Dude abides. I'd take comfort in that. It's good to know he's out there -- The Dude -- takin' it easy for all us sinners.
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/11836)
"Fuck it Dude, let's go bowling."
"Sometimes you eat the bar, and sometimes the bar eats you."
"Life does not stop and start at your convenience, you miserable piece of shit."
"Nobody fucks with the Jesus."
"The Dude abides."
"Hey, careful man. There's a beverage here."
Words to live by.
I just read something that could be seen as a philosophy of the Dude: What is the Meaning of Autonomy Today?
Subjectivation, Social Composition, Refusal of Work. It has some esoteric, academic language--what irony that it represents the philosophy behind the Dude? Or maybe the Dude is just lazy.
I can say that there have been times when I have wanted to be the Dude, walking into the grocery store in my robe and cheap slippers and paying for a 68 cent carton of cream with a check that will probably bounce. Then again, doing nothing is only fun when you have something that you are supposed to do.