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The Big Lebowski

  • 19981998
  • RR
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
791K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
447
101
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Julianne Moore and Jeff Bridges in The Big Lebowski (1998)
Theatrical Trailer from Gramercy Pictures
Play trailer0:31
3 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Comedy
  • Crime

Ultimate L.A. slacker Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for a rug ruined by debt collectors, enlisting his bowling buddies for help whi... Read allUltimate L.A. slacker Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for a rug ruined by debt collectors, enlisting his bowling buddies for help while trying to find the millionaire's missing wife.Ultimate L.A. slacker Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for a rug ruined by debt collectors, enlisting his bowling buddies for help while trying to find the millionaire's missing wife.

IMDb RATING
8.1/10
791K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
447
101
  • Directors
    • Joel Coen
    • Ethan Coen(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Ethan Coen
    • Joel Coen
  • Stars
    • Jeff Bridges
    • John Goodman
    • Julianne Moore
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Joel Coen
    • Ethan Coen(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Ethan Coen
    • Joel Coen
  • Stars
    • Jeff Bridges
    • John Goodman
    • Julianne Moore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1.4KUser reviews
    • 200Critic reviews
    • 71Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #200
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 18 nominations

    Videos3

    The Big Lebowski
    Trailer 0:31
    The Big Lebowski
    A Guide to the Films of the Coen Brothers
    Clip 1:56
    A Guide to the Films of the Coen Brothers
    Movies vs. Films, and the Best of Both With O'Shea Jackson Jr.
    Video 1:20
    Movies vs. Films, and the Best of Both With O'Shea Jackson Jr.

    Photos164

    Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Big Lebowski (1998)
    Jeff Bridges and John Goodman in The Big Lebowski (1998)
    Steve Buscemi, Jeff Bridges, and John Goodman in The Big Lebowski (1998)
    Jeff Bridges and John Goodman in The Big Lebowski (1998)
    Ethan Coen and Joel Coen in The Big Lebowski (1998)
    Julianne Moore and Jeff Bridges in The Big Lebowski (1998)
    Jeff Bridges and John Goodman in The Big Lebowski (1998)
    Jeff Bridges and Sam Elliott in The Big Lebowski (1998)
    John Turturro in The Big Lebowski (1998)
    Steve Buscemi, Jeff Bridges, and John Goodman in The Big Lebowski (1998)
    Peter Stormare, Flea, and Torsten Voges in The Big Lebowski (1998)
    Jeff Bridges in The Big Lebowski (1998)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jeff Bridges
    Jeff Bridges
    • The Dudeas The Dude
    John Goodman
    John Goodman
    • Walter Sobchakas Walter Sobchak
    Julianne Moore
    Julianne Moore
    • Maude Lebowskias Maude Lebowski
    Steve Buscemi
    Steve Buscemi
    • Theodore Donald 'Donny' Kerabatsosas Theodore Donald 'Donny' Kerabatsos
    David Huddleston
    David Huddleston
    • The Big Lebowskias The Big Lebowski
    Philip Seymour Hoffman
    Philip Seymour Hoffman
    • Brandtas Brandt
    Tara Reid
    Tara Reid
    • Bunny Lebowskias Bunny Lebowski
    Philip Moon
    Philip Moon
    • Treehorn Thug #1as Treehorn Thug #1
    Mark Pellegrino
    Mark Pellegrino
    • Treehorn Thug #2as Treehorn Thug #2
    Peter Stormare
    Peter Stormare
    • Nihilist #1, Uli Kunkelas Nihilist #1, Uli Kunkel…
    Flea
    Flea
    • Nihilist #2as Nihilist #2
    Torsten Voges
    Torsten Voges
    • Nihilist #3as Nihilist #3
    Jimmie Dale Gilmore
    • Smokeyas Smokey
    Jack Kehler
    Jack Kehler
    • Dude's Landlordas Dude's Landlord
    John Turturro
    John Turturro
    • Jesus Quintanaas Jesus Quintana
    James G. Hoosier
    • Quintana's Partneras Quintana's Partner
    Carlos Leon
    Carlos Leon
    • Maude's Thug #1as Maude's Thug #1
    Terrence Burton
    • Maude's Thug #2as Maude's Thug #2
    • (as Terrance Burton)
    • Directors
      • Joel Coen
      • Ethan Coen(uncredited)
    • Writers
      • Ethan Coen
      • Joel Coen
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    When "the dude" Lebowski is mistaken for a millionaire Lebowski, two thugs urinate on his rug to coerce him into paying a debt he knows nothing about. While attempting to gain recompense for the ruined rug from his wealthy counterpart, he accepts a one-time job with high pay-off. He enlists the help of his bowling buddy, Walter, a gun-toting Jewish-convert with anger issues. Deception leads to more trouble, and it soon seems that everyone from porn empire tycoons to nihilists want something from The Dude. —ahmetkozan
    • rug
    • nihilism
    • pornographer
    • mistaken identity
    • death of friend
    • 370 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Hay quienes tratan de ganarse la vida sin mover un dedo... otros tienen que cortarlos. (Mexico)
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Crime
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for pervasive strong language, drug content, sexuality and brief violence
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, John Goodman stated that The Dude referring to The Big Lebowski as a "human paraquat" was one of the only improvised lines to make it into the final film. Virtually every other line, including every "man" and "dude", was scripted.
    • Goofs
      When The Dude is at Jackie Treehorn's and he rubs the pad of paper with a pencil revealing Treehorn's drawing of a naked man, The Dude tears the page off the pad and quickly crumples and shoves the paper into his pocket. Later while in the Chief of Police of Malibu's office and the Chief is going through The Dude's wallet, the same paper he tore off of Treehorn's pad is neatly folded in the wallet, with no sign of previous crumpling.
    • Quotes

      The Dude: [repeated line by The Dude and others] That rug really tied the room together.

    • Crazy credits
      Baby Wranglers: Howls/Giggles/Marmots
    • Alternate versions
      The version which premiered on USA Network in September, 2000 has been severely cut (aside from the usual edits for content). Among the story lines excised are virtually all the scenes involving Jesus Quintana (John Turturro), the private eye from Minnesota (Jon Polito) looking for Bunny Lebowski and the scene where Maud is trying to conceive The Dude's child.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Making of 'the Big Lebowski' (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      The Man In Me
      Written and Performed by Bob Dylan

      Published by Big Sky Music (SESAC)

      Courtesy of Columbia Records

      By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

    User reviews1.4K

    Review
    Top review
    That Rug Really Tied the Room Together
    Acting is one of the most key elements to success or failure of a film. Some film types can survive without superb acting. These motion pictures can entertain the viewer with special effects or intense action scenes. A film based on heavy dialog and back-story can not survive with out excellent actors. One such movie that meets the dialog-based criterion is The Big Lebowski. The film follows Jeff 'The Dude' Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) and his two close friends through a not so normal chain of events. The story is augmented by the supporting characters Walter (John Goodman) and Donny (Steve Buscemi). Written by Joel and Ethan Coen, the creative forces behind Fargo, the intriguing story succeeds because of the actors' impeccable skill.

    As with many other films by the Coen brothers The Big Lebowski is an odd array of out of the ordinary characters slapped right in the middle of an improbable situation. The Dude is an unlikely hero living in the city of Los Angeles who becomes embroiled in a botched kidnapping. This is not the average kidnapper comedy that has been seen a thousand times before. The Coen brothers take a fresh look at an old tired subject. The story they have created is intriguing and entertaining, but the true entertainment comes from the unique characters. Walter, played by John Goodman, is a Vietnam veteran who seems to have some parts of post traumatic stress syndrome. Donny, another one of The Dude's close friends, is a quiet unassuming character who often interjects into conversation, but no one pays close attention to what he says.

    As well as these characters are written, they would not be as effective had they been played by other actors. This effectiveness of acting can be seen in the opening scene at the bowling alley where the supporting characters are first introduced. This scene is comprised of Donny, Walter, and The Dude sitting at their lane in the bowling alley discussing the attack on The Dude by some hired thugs (7min 25 sec). The Dude is approaching the situation in his usual lackadaisical way. Jeff Bridges conveys The Dude's overall demeanor in his laid back, sauntering, walk. Although being laid back, Bridges is direct in his speaking showing that The Dude is not the average confused old stoner. Bridges facial expressions during this scene show The Dude is distressed about the loss of his rug which 'tied the room together.'

    Donny seems to be an outside observer in this scene and throughout much of the film. Buscemi conveys his character's attention during discussion by following the flow of the conversation with his head. He looks from The Dude to Walter and from Walter to The Dude depending on who is talking. He may seem to be paying attention, but his asking of simple questions dispels this assumption. Another technique Buscemi uses is while he is observing the conversation he furrows his brow as if in deep thought and contemplation. This look of concentration is juxtaposed with the look of confused happiness, an empty smile, Buscemi uses when Donny makes a point in the conversation. These techniques which are introduced by Bridges and Buscemi early in the film are used throughout the entire picture.

    Although Bridges and Buscemi do an excellent job of introducing their characters traits to the viewer, Goodman superbly shows his character's inner traits. Throughout the conversation it is apparent due to dialog that Walter is becoming upset. Goodman conveys this anger with facial expressions and body movement. In the early part of the conversation Goodman puts on a stone face to show that Walter is firmly set in his position. The Dude begins to agitate Walter as the conversation continues. Goodman shows this agitation by furrowing his brow, leaning forward while talking, and turning progressively redder. As Goodman continues, his speaking becomes more staccato and flustered. When The Dude refers to one of the attackers as 'the china man,' Walter continues on his tirade momentarily then quietly addresses the non politically correct nature of The Dude's comment. Changing from this aggravated manner of speaking to a more politically correct and lower tone shows that Walter has some sudden mood swings and a short fuse, as he returns to his tirade quickly.

    This scene exemplifies the acting skills of John Goodman, Jeff Bridges, and Steve Buscemi. The characters in this story have been given interesting and entertaining dialog by the writers, but it is up to the actors to make the characters exude a certain feeling or trait. In each of their roles the three main actors add a level of feeling to the characters that is lacking from many of the offerings of the dark comedy genre. Goodman's portrayal of Walter as the 'know it all' with a short fuse is downright hilarious. Jeff Bridges steps out of his usually serious persona to portray a character as laid back as they come, 'quite possibly the laziest in Los Angeles county.' Steve Buscemi is as entertaining as ever. His depiction of Donny, the character to rarely speak, adds depth to an otherwise bland side character. After viewing this film one can see why actors who can actually practice their craft are worth their weight in gold.
    helpful•188
    159
    • track1646
    • Dec 13, 2004

    FAQ5

    • What is micturationed?
    • Is "The Big Lebowski" based on a book?
    • What's that song that is heard throughout the movie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 6, 1998 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
      • Hebrew
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Bá Tước Lebowski
    • Filming locations
      • Ralphs Supermarket, South Pasadena, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Polygram Filmed Entertainment
      • Working Title Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $18,254,458
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,533,844
      • Mar 8, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $46,969,081
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 57 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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