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Volume CXXXIII, Number 3 |
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The Dude takes up weekend residence in Smith Auditorium
DAVIN MICHAELS
COLUMNIST
This weekend, the Film Society brings to campus for your viewing pleasures a comedic classic, The Big Lebowski (1998).
The Big Lebowski is the story of L.A.'s ultimate slacker and bowling aficionado, Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), who is about to find a reason to take action for once in his life. One day, two thugs come to his house and mistake him for a millionaire by the same name. The thugs demand money owed by the other Lebowski's wife, and before realizing they have the wrong man, one of them takes the liberty of urinating on The Dude's carpet in order to show him who is boss.
The Dude then sets out on an epic journey with his bowling buddies Walter and Donny (John Goodman and Steve Buscemi) to meet the millionaire Lebowski and demand a replacement for his damaged rug. The Dude finds himself in the middle of a web of kidnapping, bribery, and intrigue, and is recruited to be the new liaison between Lebowski and the bad guys.
If the description of the movie does not make you laugh hysterically out loud, then you probably won't take too well to this film. It is a film that is played straight by the actors, yet full of over-the-top humor and nonsense. The Dude has become a role model for many college kids and prospective slackers across the nation. As both an excessively raucous comedy and a college cult film, the movie has been put in the same conversation as comic classics such as Super Troopers, Office Space, and Half-Baked. This film might distinguish itself from those mentioned, however, in that it presents a smarter kind of stupid.
The writing and the acting in this film set it apart. The story line is pretty ridiculous but very cleverly-written. Jeff Bridges steals the whole movie with his remarkable portrayal of The Dude and his extremely witty affectations. There is also an extremely talented supporting cast including Julianne Moore, John Turturro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Tara Reid.
The film was written by Ethan and Joel Coen and directed by Joel Coen. The Coens are also responsible for such classics as: The Man Who Wasn't There (2001), O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000), Fargo (1996), Raising Arizona (1987), and Blood Simple (1984). The brothers walk the fine line between comedy and dark drama and extend the boundaries of storytelling in each of their creations.
The film will be showing in Smith Auditorium in Sills Hall at 7:00 p.m.
on Friday and Saturday nights.
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