The Big Lebowski
The Big Lebowski () is a 1998 independent crime comedy film written, directed, produced and co-edited by Joel and Ethan Coen. It stars Jeff Bridges as Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski, a Los Angeles slacker and avid bowler. He is assaulted as a result of mistaken identity, then learns that a millionaire, also named Jeffrey Lebowski (David Huddleston), was the intended victim. The millionaire Lebowski's trophy wife is supposedly kidnapped, and millionaire Lebowski commissions The Dude to deliver the ransom to secure her release. The plan goes awry when the Dude's friend, Walter Sobchak (John Goodman), schemes to keep the ransom money for the Dude and himself. Sam Elliott, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, John Turturro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tara Reid, David Thewlis, Peter Stormare, Jon Polito, and Ben Gazzara also appear in supporting roles. The film is loosely inspired by the work of Raymond Chandler. Joel Coen stated, "We wanted to do a Chandler kind of story – how it moves episodically, and deals with the characters trying to unravel a mystery, as well as having a hopelessly complex plot that's ultimately unimportant." The original score was composed by Carter Burwell, a longtime collaborator of the Coen brothers. The Big Lebowski received mixed reviews at the time of its release. Reviews have since become largely positive, and the film has become a cult favorite, noted for its eccentric characters, comedic dream sequences, idiosyncratic dialogue, and eclectic soundtrack. In 2014, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
See them tumbling down Pledging their love to the ground Way out West there was this fella. Fella I wanna tell you about. Fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. Least that was the handle that his loving parents gave him. But he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me, and a lot about where he lived likewise. Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds But then again, maybe that's why I found the place so darned interesting. I know when night has gone That a new world's born at dawn They call Los Angeles the City of Angels. I didn't find it to be that, exactly. But I'll allow there are some nice folks there. Course, I can't say I seen London, and I never been to France, and I ain't never seen no queen in her damned undies, as the fella says. But I'll tell you what, after seeing Los Angeles and this here story I'm about to unfold, well, I guess I've seen something every bit as stupefying as you can see in any of those other places, and in English, too. So I can die with a smile on my face without feeling like the good Lord gypped me. Now, this here story I'm about to unfold took place back in the early '90s, just about the time of our conflict with Saddam and the Iraqis. I only mention it 'cause sometimes there's a man... I won't say a hero. 'Cause what's a hero? But sometimes there's a man... And I'm talking about the Dude here. Sometimes there's a man... Well, he's the man for his time and place. He fits right in there. And that's the Dude in Los Angeles. And even if he is a lazy man, and the Dude was most certainly that, quite possibly the laziest in Los Angeles county, which would place him high in the running for laziest worldwide. But sometimes there's a man... Sometimes there's a man... Well, I lost my train of thought here. But... Hell, I done introduced him enough. ...with them all for a collective action. This will not stand. This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait.
The Big Lebowski
Here on the range I belong Drifting along With the tumbling Tumbleweeds Where's the money, Lebowski? I want that money, Lebowski. Bunny says you're good for it. Where's the money, Lebowski? Where's the money, Lebowski? Where's the fucking money, shithead? It's down there somewhere. Let me take another look.
The Big Lebowski
No, don't do... - Not on the rug, man. - See? See what happens, Lebowski? You see what happens? Nobody calls me Lebowski. You got the wrong guy. I'm the Dude, man. Your name's Lebowski, Lebowski. Your wife is Bunny. My wife? Bunny? Do you see a wedding ring on my finger? Does this place look like I'm fucking married? The toilet seat's up, man!
The Big Lebowski
That rug really tied the room together, did it not? Fucking A. And this guy peed on it. Donny, please. You know, this is the fucking guy... I could find this fucking Lebowski guy. His name is Lebowski? That's your name, Dude. This is the guy who should compensate me for the fucking rug. His wife goes out and owes money all over town, and they pee on my rug? They pee on your fucking rug? Peed on my fucking rug. That's right, Dude. They peed on your fucking rug.
The Big Lebowski
This is the study. As you can see, the various commendations, awards... "Jeffrey Lebowski." ...citations, honorary degrees, et cetera. Very impressive. Oh, please feel free to inspect them. Oh. No, I'm not really... Oh, please. Please. That is the key to the city of Pasadena, which Mr. Lebowski received two years ago in recognition of his various civic... Oh! That's the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Business Achiever Award, which is given... Oh, not necessarily given every year. Hey, is this... Given only when there's a worthy somebody... ls this him with Nancy? Yes, indeed, that is Mr. Lebowski with the first lady, yes. It was taken when Mrs. Reagan... That's Lebowski on the left there? Of course. Mr. Lebowski, on the left... So he's a... You know, a handicapped kind of guy? Mr. Lebowski is disabled, yes.
The Big Lebowski
This picture was taken when Mrs. Reagan was first lady of the nation. Yes, yes. Not of California. Good shot. In fact, he met privately with the President, though, unfortunately, there wasn't enough time for a photo opportunity. Oh, Nancy's pretty good. Oh, wonderful woman. We were very happy to... These are... Oh, those are Mr. Lebowski's children, so to speak. Different mothers, huh? No, they're not... Racially, he's pretty cool? They're not literally his children. They're the Little Lebowski Urban Achievers, inner city children of promise, but without the necessary means for... Necessary means for a higher education, so Mr. Lebowski is committed to sending all of them to college. Excuse me. Oh, geez. Thank you. Thank you. Far out. Think he's got room for one more? One... Oh.
The Big Lebowski
You never went to college. Please, don't touch that. Oh, yeah, yeah. No, I did, but, you know, I spent most of my time occupying various administration buildings, smoking a lot of Thai stick, breaking into the ROTC and bowling. Tell you the truth, Brandt, I don't remember most of it.
The Big Lebowski
Well, they were looking for you, these two guys. You know, they... I'll say it again. You told Brandt on the phone. He told me. I know what happened. Yes, yes. Oh, so you know that they were trying to piss on your rug. Did I urinate on your rug? You mean, did you personally come and pee on my rug? Hello! Do you speak English, sir? G, Parla usted inglés? I'll ask you again. Did I urinate on your rug?
The Big Lebowski
No. Like I said, Woo peed on my rug. I just want to understand this, sir. Every time a rug is micturated upon in this fair city, I have to compensate the person? Come on, man. I'm not trying to scam anybody here. You know, I'm just... You're just looking for a handout like every other...
The Big Lebowski
Wait. Let me explain something to you. I am not Mr. Lebowski. You're Mr. Lebowski. I'm the Dude. So that's what you call me. You know? That or His Dudeness, or Duder or, you know, El Duderino, if you're not into the whole brevity thing. Are you employed, sir? Employed? You don't go out looking for a job dressed like that, do you? On a weekday? Is this a... What day is this? Well, I do work, sir. So, if you don't mind... No, I do mind. The Dude minds. This will not stand, you know. This aggression will not stand, man. I mean, your wife owes money... My wife is not the issue here! I hope that someday my wife will learn to live on her allowance, which is ample. But if she does not, that is her problem, not mine, just as the rug is your problem. Just as every bum's lot in life is his own responsibility, regardless of who he chooses to blame. I didn't blame anyone for the loss of my legs. Some Chinaman took them from me in Korea. But I went out and achieved anyway.
The Big Lebowski