The Big Lebowski

Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant! That the Coen brothers can create lovely characters is something I’ve known for a long time, but they have really outdone themselves here. Big Lebowski is something that Czech filmmakers should watch to realise that there is another kind of easygoing comedy than the good-old “about ordinary people”. Yeah, and if I had to choose between the Dudeists and the Fargoists, I would join the former. (29.11.2008)

The absurdity across the board applied directly and only to Dude Lebowski himself keeps me quite grounded for once instead of cheering. It's not that Jeff Bridges isn't cool, or that I don't want to go bowling or taste White Russian, but this time I didn't have as much fun as I expected, even though it is filmed in the way in which only the Coen brothers can do it. And maybe that's the problem... my problem. (07.01.2007)

Ein Film mit einer der schönsten, traurigsten und bescheidensten Figuren der Geschichte - Steve Buscemis Donny. Neben dem lauten Walter-Jeff-Duo kommt der arme, unterdrückte Donny kaum zu Wort (Halt die Klappe, Donny!), und doch ist er ein stilles Zeugnis für die Genialität der Coen-Brüder als Charakterschöpfer. Ich persönlich stimme dafür, den Film ehrfurchtsvoll von The Big Lebowski in "Quiet Donny" umzubenennen, denn dieses bescheidene Gesicht von Steve Buscemi rührt mich zu Tränen. Eine wunderbare Komödie, wunderbar konstruiert und mit einem unverwechselbaren Humor. (27.01.2004)

I found Lebowski’s “fight for his peed-on rug" really entertaining and I enjoyed myself more than I have for a long time... But then I didn’t see it for a couple of years, and so maybe I idealized it too much, because when I at last got a chance to see it again, apart from a couple of ageless moments, it seemed really rather mediocre to me. Every single actor here is incredible, no doubt about that. It still has more snappy lines per foot of film than any other movie, but somehow it lacks “soul". But maybe in a few years I’ll see it again and it will again convince me that it is entertainment that has no equal. (03.12.2006)

Acting is great, humor is fine, but overall, there is a big question mark. Everyone is scruffy, lisping, and just strange, and I somehow can't enjoy the story and sometimes even the lines amidst all of it. From a film, with the reputation of a Coen masterpiece, I would expect more than just - however fast-paced - amusing bizarreness. (20.07.2006)

Not all superheroes wear capes – some wear bathrobes. When I grow up, I want to be like the Dude. Until them, I will imbibe his wisdom and a White Russian during the regular annual review of the holy scripture of Dudeism on New Year’s Eve at the Aero cinema in Prague.  ——— Otherwise, The Big Lebowski is not only grand entertainment that never loses its appeal, which is thanks to the brilliant casting of an outlandish bunch of likably oddball characters, but it is also the most cunning and most clever neo-noir film that Joel and Ethan Coen have come up with. (01.10.2023)

A perfect gob-smacker which starts completely innocently and as the minutes go by it gradually turns into a complex story full of twists. The cast is a story in itself because whoever appears on the screen gives their best ever performance. My personal favorite is no doubt John Goodman in the role of The Dude’s friend Walter (stepping over the foul line and the final fight are simply the best :-). (20.10.2006)

The Big Lebowski is a perfect showcase of the local low social class of slobs, slackers, rednecks and people with stupid views who are warped by some bad situation or event in their lives, like the war in Vietnam. Solid social criticism, but I missed why it is a cult-classic. (02.06.2019)

It took me quite a while to realise what a creative and clever style of humour The Big Lebowski has. The script seems to be nothing but a showcase for all those amazing actors to display the bizarreness and exaggeration of their creations, but lacking substance. Yet the plot is packed to bursting with so many excellent gags, subtly hinted at or potential twists and a unique parody of many established narrative techniques, all while perfectly retaining its own distinctive face and, most importantly, never ceasing to surprise – rarely have I felt such a palpable joy in a film's sheer narrative, in the creation of witty retorts or one-liners, or in the direction of the actors themselves, whose performances really beg for their own lengthy commentary. Jeff "The Dude" Bridges clearly moves up to one of my favourite movie characters, John Goodman complements him brilliantly, and at times Philip Seymour Hoffman, who has this funniest role in his life, also speaks out vehemently. There is no need to talk about the amazingly inventive cinematography or the wicked soundtrack, they are par for the course with the Coens... 90% (06.05.2011)

While a lot of movies struggle with the problem of pretending to be about something and actually being about nothing, The Big Lebowski is about something, it just makes everything seem like it's about nothing -) (22.11.2010)

The story is crafted to perfection; it perfectly combines a wet carpet, a kidnapping, blackmail, and vaginal art; there are well-written and well-cast characters, with one supporting role actually becoming a cult figure – yes, it’s Jesus Quintana. The Coen brothers (who are still brothers, even though it's no longer trendy) almost made me want to throw on a bathrobe, mix a White Russian, put on my headphones, and listen to the sounds of a bowling tournament or whales singing. (27.09.2021)

A movie about how even being a slacker can sometimes be about life. And above all, it is absolutely bizarre fun that will dazzle you with its unique sense of humor. Yet, it's still just about one damn carpet... More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2013/09/big-lebowski-1998-80.html (22.09.2013)

Wild, but beautifully wild. The Coen brothers clearly scored with this unique piece of work. Truly very few films are THIS WELL DONE. - You can imagine where it goes from here. - He fixes the cable? (21.04.2009)