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."
Does the female form make you uncomfortable, Mr. Lebowski? Is that what this is a picture of? In a sense, yes. My art has been commended as being strongly vaginal, which bothers some men. The word itself makes some men uncomfortable. Vagina. Oh, yeah? Yes, they don't like hearing it and find it difficult to say, whereas without batting an eye, a man will refer to his dick, or his rod or his johnson. "Johnson"? All right, Mr. Lebowski, let's get down to cases. My father told me he agreed to let you have the rug, but as it was a gift from me to my late mother, it was not his to give. Now, your face.
The Big Lebowski
As for this kidnapping. Huh? Yes, I know all about it, and I know that you acted as courier. Let me tell you something. The whole thing stinks to high heaven. Yeah, right, but let me explain something about the rug. Do you like sex, Mr. Lebowski? Excuse me? Sex, the physical act of love. Coitus. Do you like it? I was talking about my rug. You're not interested in sex? You mean coitus? I like it, too. It's a male myth about feminists that we hate sex. It can be a natural, zesty enterprise. However, there are some people, it is called satyriasis in men, nymphomania in women, who engage in it compulsively and without joy. Oh, no. Oh, yes, Mr. Lebowski. These unfortunate souls cannot love, in the true sense of the word. Our mutual acquaintance, Bunny, is one of these. Listen, Maude, I'm sorry if your stepmother is a nympho, but, you know, I don't see what this has to do with... You have any Kahlua? Take a look at this, sir.
The Big Lebowski
Hi. Hello. Mein dispatcher says there is something wrong with dein Kabel. Yeah. Come on in. I'm not really sure exactly what's really wrong with the cable. That's why they sent me. I am an expert. The TV's in here. You recognize her, of course. Helga, bring my tools- That's my friend Sherry. She just came over to use the shower. The story is ludicrous. My name is Karl. lch bin expert. You must be here to fix the cable. Lord, you can imagine where it goes from here. He fixes the cable? Don't be fatuous, Jeffrey. Little matter to me that this woman chose to pursue a career in pornography, nor that she has been banging Jackie Treehorn, to use the parlance of our times. However, I am one of the two trustees of the Lebowski Foundation, the other being my father. The foundation takes youngsters from Watts and... Shit, yeah. The achievers. Little Lebowski Urban Achievers, yes, and proud we are of all of them. I asked my father about his withdrawal of $1 million from the foundation aooount, and he told me about this abduction, but I tell you it is preposterous. This compulsive fornicator is taking my father for the proverbial ride. Yeah, but my... I'm getting to your rug. My father and I don't get along. He doesn't approve of my lifestyle and, needless to say, I don't approve of his. However, I hardly wish to make my father's embezzlement a police matter. So I'm proposing that you try to recover the money from the people you delivered it to. Well, I could do that. If you successfully do so, I will compensate you to the tune of 10% of the recovered sum. A hundred... Thousand. Yes. Bones or clams or whatever you call them. Yeah, but what about my... Your rug, yes. Well, with that money you can buy any number of rugs that don't have sentimental value for me. And I am sorry about that crack on the jaw. Oh, that's fine. That doesn't even... Here's the name and number of a doctor who will look at it for you. You will receive no bill. He's a good man and thorough. That's thoughtful but... Please see him, Jeffrey. He's a good man and thorough.
The Big Lebowski
I gotta tell you, Tone, man, earlier today I was really feeling shitty, man. Really down in the dumps. Lost a little money... Hey, you know what? Forget about it, huh? Forget about it. Yeah, fuck it, man. You can't be worried about that shit. Life goes on, man. Well, home, sweet home, Mr. L.
The Big Lebowski
Well, we... I don't... They did not receive the money, you nitwit! They did not receive the money! Her life was in your hands! This is our concern, Dude. No, man. Nothing is fucked here. Nothing is fucked? No, man. The goddamn plane has crashed into the mountain! Man, come on. Who are you gonna believe, those guys or... We dropped off the damn money. We?
The Big Lebowski
I, the royal we. You know. The editorial... I dropped off the money exactly as per... Look, man, I've got certain information. All right? Certain things have come to light and... You know, has it ever occurred to you that instead of, you know, running around, blaming me... You know, given the nature of all this new shit, you know, this could be a lot more complex... I mean, it's not just... It might not be just such a simple... You know? What in God's holy name are you blathering about? Well, I'll tell you what I'm blathering about. I've got information, man. New shit has come to light. And, shit, man, she kidnapped herself. Well, sure, man. Look at it. You know? A young trophy wife, in the parlance of our times, you know. She owes money all over town, including to known pornographers. And that's cool. That's cool. I'm saying she needs money, man. And, you know, of course they're gonna say they didn't get it because she wants more, man. She's gotta feed the monkey. I mean... Hasn't that ever occurred to you, man? Sir?
The Big Lebowski