The Big Lebowski is 25 years old and returns to the cinema: phrases and philosophy

TO 25 years apart, from today the Coen brothers’ cult film returns to Italian cinemas, restored in 4K The Big Lebowski. Irresistible noir comedy from 1998, starring Jeff Bridges in the iconic role of the “Drugo”, slackers in dressing gowns and White Russian, who finds himself embroiled in a kidnapping case.

The Big Lebowskithe plot of the film and curiosities

Set in 1991, the film has for protagonist Jeffrey Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), known as “Drugo”, a slacker bachelor who spends his days smoking joints, listening to music and bowling with his two friends Walter (John Goodman) and Donny (Steve Buscemi). One day he is attacked in his own home by two men who order him to pay the debt his wife owes to the porn mogul Jackie Treehorn. Only after beating him do the two henchmen realize having the wrong person and not being in the home of the Jeffrey Lebowski they thought they were.

Encouraged by his friend Walter, the following morning Dude shows up at the house of his namesake: Jeffrey Lebowski is a wealthy philanthropist paralyzed in a wheelchair. Dude tells him about the attack he suffered because of his wife, Bunny’s debt (Julianne Moore). They he also asks for compensation for his ruined carpet: Your request is immediately rejected.

A few days later the rich Lebowski, on the verge of desperation, summons Dugo: his wife was kidnapped and the kidnappers demanded a large sum of money from him as a ransom. Not wanting to involve the police, Lebowski tasks Drugo with delivering the briefcase containing a million dollars to the kidnappers.

Dude, who initially has no intention of accepting the job, is eventually convinced by the promise of a generous reward. Since then, the situation gets completely out of hand. Between the fumes of marijuana and alcohol, he will find himself at the center of a very intricate story.

The icon Jeffrey Leboski, from robes to White Russian

Indolent, habitual, unkempt beard and perpetually soaked in White Russian, Jeffrey Lebowski is a character who has entered the collective imagination for many reasons. One for all, his post grunge lookswith a touch hippie chic before it became fashionable. Wears dressing gowns, huge sweaters, inappropriate slippers and knee-length trousers as if they were the first things found in the wardrobe. His clothes that are always too large are the emblem of her laziness. Interesting trivia, it was Jeff Bridges who personally provided for the “recovery” of the costumes: directly from his wardrobe.

Who inspired Jeff Bridges for the character of the Dude?

The character of Dude (originally “Dude”) is largely inspired by Jeff Dowd, an American film producer and political activist met by the Coen brothers when they were trying to find a distributor for their first film, Blood Simple – Easy blood of 1984. Dowd had been a member of a radical pacifist movement, loved drinking White Russian cocktails, and was nicknamed “Drugo”.

Another source of inspiration was a friend of the Coens, Peter Exline, a Vietnam War veteran who lived in an apartment more like a junkyard but was very proud of his little rug.

To better prepare for the role, Bridges met several times with Dowd but ultimately drew heavily on himself when I was a young hippie in the 60s and 70s and I was using drugs.

Initially, the Coens had considered Mel Gibson for the lead role but the star of Lethal Weapon he didn’t take the proposal too seriously. When they contacted Jeff Bridges, the actor was reluctant, worried about becoming a bad example for his teenage daughters. He let himself be convinced after reading the brilliant script. And the rest is history.

The rest of the cast: from John Turturro to Julianne Moore

If the film has become a timeless cult it is not only thanks to the extraordinary Bridges but also to the fantastic supporting characters that embellish the story even more. Starting from the only female protagonist, the splendid one Julianne Moore who plays the bored wife of the other Lebowski, the rich one. With red bob and bangs, Maude is a feminist and an avant-garde artist always ready to show herself naked. The character is inspired in part by Yoko Onopartly a Carole Schneemannan icon of American performance art of the last century.

But the interpretation of John Turturro, alias, also remained in history Jesus Quintananumber one opponent of the Drugo bowling team. Hispanic with a kitsch look – always wrapped in a lilac onesie, hairnet on his head and nail polish on his little finger –, Jesus uses his tongue to lubricate bowling balls. Inspired in part by a performance the Coens had seen Turturro give at the theater in 1988 in a show called Mi Puta VidaJesus is became such an icon that it “deserved” a spin-off entitled in 2019 Jesus Rolls – Quintana is back!.

Last, but not least, the Dude’s two best friends: Walter (John Goodman) the quarrelsome war veteran, dressed like a hunter always ready to shoot, and the solitary Donny (Steve Buscemi), continually silenced or ignored by friends. Very funny and borderline characters which the Coens wrote specifically for the two great American character actors.

The phrases and “philosophy” of The Big Lebowski

With such an iconic story and characters, it’s no surprise that, a few years after the film’s release, in the United States, a religion inspired by the film was even “founded”. The Dudeism promotes the philosophy and lifestyle embodied by our Dude. It exalts laziness and tries to distract people from contemporary frenzy and dissatisfaction.

It is a sort of Taoism updated and purged of all medical doctrine: encourages flexibility of the mind, “taking it philosophically” when faced with life’s difficulties. It goes without saying that simple everyday pleasures like (in Lebowski’s case) taking a bath, listening to Creedence Clearwater Revival and bowling with friends are preferable to the anxiety of having to chase success.

25 years later, the film continues to be celebrated consistently also through the Lebowski Fest, a gathering of fans which every year is found in Louisville and other American towns. During the festival screenings of the film, bowling games and White Russian drinking are organised and parades of fans dressed as their idol. The opportunity is also excellent for enthusiasts quote cult phrases in bursts that the film has handed down.

From Sam Elliott’s opening monologue («Sometimes you meet a man who is the right man at the right time in the right place, where it needs to be») to «Take it as it comes» pronounced at the end of the film, a mantra summarizing the Dude’s entire philosophy. Without forgetting the legendary line, referring to the ruined carpet and often repeated throughout the film, «It set a tone for the environment».

iO Donna © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED