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."
Mr. Lebowski is prepared to make a generous offer to you to act as courier once we get instructions for the money. Why me, man? He believes the culprits might be the very people who soiled your rug and you are in a unique position to confirm or disconfirm that suspicion. He thinks the carpet pissers did this? Well, Dude, we just don't know.
The Big Lebowski
That creep can roll, man. Yeah, but he's a pervert, Dude. Yeah. No, he's a sex offender with a record. He did six months in Chino for exposing himself to an eight-year-old. When he moved to Hollywood, he had to go door-to-door to tell everyone he was a pederast. What's a pederast, Walter? Shut the fuck up, Donny.
The Big Lebowski
So whenever these guys call... What if it's during a game? Oh, I told them if it was during league play... What's during league play? Life does not stop and start at your convenience, you miserable piece of shit. Ifigure... What's wrong with Walter, Dude? I figure it's easy money, you know. It's all pretty harmless. She probably kidnapped herself.
The Big Lebowski
What do you mean, Dude? Rug-peers did not do this. Look at it. A young trophy wife marries this guy for his money. She figures he isn't giving her enough, you know. She owes money all over town. That fucking bitch! It's all a goddamn fake, man. It's like Lenin said, you look for the person who will benefit and, you know... I Am the Walrus? You know, you'll...
The Big Lebowski
You know what I'm trying to say. I Am the VVa/rus. That fucking bitch! Oh, yeah! I Am the Walrus. Thafis... Shut the fuck up, Donny! V.l. Lenin, Vladimir llyich Ulyanov! What the fuck is he talking about? Fucking exactly what happened to those... That makes me fucking sick! Well, what do you care, Walter? Those rich fucks. This whole fucking thing. I did not watch my buddies die face down in the muck so that this fucking strumpet, this fucking whore, could waltz around... I don't see any connection with Vietnam, man. Well, there isn't a literal connection, Dude. No, Walter, face it, there isn't any connection. Your roll. Have it your way. Your roll. But my point is... My point is... QUINTANA: Are you ready to be fucked, man?
The Big Lebowski
I see you rolled your way into the semis. Dios mio, man. Liam and me, we're gonna fuck you up. Yeah? Well, you know, that's just like your opinion, man. Let me tell you something, pendejo. You pull any of your crazy shit with us, you flash a piece out on the lanes, I'll take it away from you and stick it up your ass and pull the fucking trigger till it goes click. Jesus. You said it, man. Nobody fucks with the Jesus. Eight-year-olds, Dude.
The Big Lebowski
La-Ia-Ia, Ia-Ia-Ia, Ia-Ia-la La-Ia-Ia, Ia, Ia, Ia, Ia La-Ia-Ia, Ia, Ia, Ia, Ia La-Ia-Ia, Ia, Ia, Ia, Ia La-Ia, Ia-Ia La-Ia-Ia La-Ia-Ia, Ia-Ia-Ia La-Ia, Ia-Ia The man in me will do Nearly any task And as for compensation There's little he would ask Take a woman like you To get through To the man in me Storm clouds are raging All around my door I think to myself I might not take it anymore Take a woman like your kind To find the man in me But, oh What a wonderful feeling Just to know That you are near Sets my heart a-reeling From my toes Up to my ears The man in me will hide sometimes They called about 80 minutes ago. They want you to take the money, drive north on the 405. They will call you on the portable phone with instructions in about 40 minutes. One person only. They were very clear on that, or I'd go with you. One person only. Vvhathappened to your jaw? Oh, nothing, man.
The Big Lebowski
What the... Have they called yet? What the hell is this? My dirty undies, Dude. The laundry. The whites. Walter, I'm sure there's a reason you brought your dirty undies, man. That's right, Dude. The weight. The ringer cannot look empty. Walter, what the fuck are you thinking, man? You're right, Dude. I got to thinking. I got to thinking, why should we settle for a measly fucking 20 grand... We? What the fuck, "we"? You said you just wanted to come along. My point, Dude, is why should we settle for 20 grand when we can keep the entire million? Am I wrong? Yes, you're wrong. This isn't a fucking game, man. Oh, but it is a game. You said so yourself. She kidnapped herself. I said I thought...
The Big Lebowski