The Big Lebowski was released in theatres on March 6, 1998. About 1-2 months later my now ex-wife Patti wanted us to see it. I told her "What the heck is this movie about? I don't want to see it". This was before I was into movie trailers like I have been for years now.
So we get to the theatre. I have always been big on first afternoon matinees. Less people and cheaper admission. We find the theatre, first afternoon matinee, remember, and the place is packed. I said "What the heck?"So we managed to find seats, actually not bad ones, and I mean I probably never laughed so hard in my life. From the beginning to the end. This was a great movie.
I mean this movie had bowling buddies, a sometimes whacked out Vietnam vet, a feminist who wants to get pregnant, kidnapping, ransom, stolen car, pulling a gun on a bowling opponent, porn producer thugs, throwing a ferret in with a man while bathing, nihilist who pretend to be kidnappers, a black cab driver who throws Lebowski out of the car...because he doesn't like the cabbie's favorite music...The Eagles. I could go on and on.The Big Lebowski, without a doubt, is number 1 in my top ten movie list. The characters are brilliantly written by the Coen Brothers, and are brilliantly portrayed by the actors. This is a movie that's more hilarious every time you watch it.
Cast of The Big Lebowski
Jeff Bridges........................Jeffrey Lebowski
John Goodman..................Walter Sobchak
Julianne Moore..................Maude Lebowski
Steve Buschemi..................Donnie
David Huddleston..............Jeffrey Lebowski
Phillip Seymor Hoffman....Brandt
Tara Reid............................Bunny Lebowski
John Turturro....................Jesus Quintana
Peter Stormare..................Nihilist #1
Flea.....................................Nihilist #2
Torsten Voges....................Nihilist #3
Phillip Moon......................Woo
Mark Pellegrino.................Treehorn Thug
Plus others
REVIEWS FOR THE BIG LEBOWSKI:
Reelviews.net says: The Big Lebowski ranks as one of the most audacious comedies of recent years. The Coen Brothers keeps the jokes coming, although some of them are so subtle they can easily be missed (for example, the dude writes a check in a grocery store for 69 cents). Profane, outrageous, and without inhibitions, The Big Lebowski further cements the Coen Brothers reputation as independent film makers.
Variety.com says: With everyone plugged into the Coen Brothers wavelength, the entire cast shine. Spiked with wonderfully funny sequences and some brilliantly funny notions, this film is a pseudo-mystery thriller, and simply doesn't seem to be about anything but it own cleverness.
NY Times: 87 users rate this 4 out of 5 stars.
IMDB.com ranks this #159 out of their 250 greatest movies of all time.
Rollingstone.com says: The Big Lebowski is quirky with a vengeance, unmatched since the Coen Brothers did Barton Fink and the Hudsucker Proxy.
