The Big Lebowski

[nolanfan34]

What is there to get? The movie certainly had some funny parts, but I don't think it was really making a compelling or interesting point, per se.

Reminded me of English classes in high school or college, where people extracted "meaning" out of random situations and themes, because they really wanted to find something deep in the book, story, etc.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't that I didn't like the movie, I thought it was good, but top-10, give me a break.

[IndieMatty]

Top 10 may be exaggerating, but it is one of my favorites.

I'll try to write something more to explain where I am coming from, but I am at work..

[IndieMatty]

Check out the Reviews on IMDB, usually good stuff there. Here is the most overtly "Deep" review. Theres a ton more on there that explain the movie, and a bunch from people, who didn't recognize how special it was until their third or fourth viewing.

[ QUOTE ]
It's a travesty that most critics only read The Big Lebowski at its most superficial level and called it a modern take on a Raymond Chandler potboiler. I simply can't begin to perceive how one could sit down in front of this cinematic pop-poetry, as it plates gold on the silver screen, and not feel so incredibly alive. The dream sequence Busbee Berkley musical numbers are unique and awe-inspiring; the humor is rich, subtle, and clever in the way it satirizes politically correct arrogance; the free-flowing story avoids (even pokes fun at) nonessentials like plot points and pay-offs. But what really makes this film such a masterpiece, such a panacea, is the incredible humanism, the care that the Coen brothers put in developing The Dude (Jeff Bridges), Walter (John Goodman), Donnie (Steve Buscemi-tremendously endearing), and Brandt (magnificently played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman). Looking at the films use of Sam Elliott to play The Stranger, who constantly rambles about the many wonders of The Dude (among other things), it is clear that the film is an ode to a Dudist way of life. And in a time where so many film promise that they have the answer to the worlds problems and end up as slick, stylistic show-off films, what more could one ask for than a good-hearted film like this? Not to mention the performance by Jeff Bridges, which ranks among the best performances of the nineties; he has a relaxed slouch, a goofy smile, an enthusiastic dance, and his buttons can only be pushed by Walter, who John Goodman plays with charm and fury. The Coen brothers have always been considered 'cold' filmmakers, but there is nothing here but warmth and humanity (as is the case with the Coens' Fargo). What we have here is one of the greatest achievements in modern cinema and if you can't see that, grab a White Russian, hit the bowling ally, and find your inner-Dude as soon as possible.

[/ QUOTE ]

BigL User Comments

[ThaSaltCracka]

so what you and that review are saying is that if you think the film is stupid then its probably because you are to stupid to realize how un-stupid the film is, right?

[IndieMatty]

I'm not calling you stupid. But there is such a thing as "Intelligent Humor", where your average Jay Leno viewer will not be able to "get it", and yes that is because they are slightly less intelligent.

[ThaSaltCracka]

intelligent humor is an oxymoron

[The once and future king]

Of course it isnt.

Are you suggesting that all humour has to be stupid.

Intelligent stupidity is an oxymoron but humour can be catagorised in many ways.

Agree about the film, but not this comment.

[ThaSaltCracka]

[ QUOTE ]
Are you suggesting that all humour has to be stupid.

[/ QUOTE ] no, I am suggesting that "intelligent" humor is bull [censored]. People assume that if you don't laugh at an "intelligent" joke its because you are to stupid to "get" it, which is bull [censored]. The person probably isn't laughing because they didn't find it funny. There is this sort of pompous attitude when it comes to humor, that if you don't like the witty, "intelligent" humor of say Rushmore its because you probably like the "dumb-downed" humor of Dumb and Dumber .

Personally, I find Jeff Daniels explosive diarreah funnier than Bridges quirkiness, which I think apparently means I am stupid.

[spamuell]

[ QUOTE ]
intelligent humor is an oxymoron

[/ QUOTE ]

That is retarded.

Unless you were being cleverly ironic and therefore being humourous while at the same time self-deprecating. In which case, bravo TSC, bravo.

[Senor Choppy]

[ QUOTE ]
so what you and that review are saying is that if you think the film is stupid then its probably because you are to stupid to realize how un-stupid the film is, right?

[/ QUOTE ]

That pretty much sums it up.