December Movie Pick: 'The Big Lebowski'

 

Another hit that took 25 years to appear on my radar. Finally, I saw 'The Big Lebowski,' or as he wants to be called, the Dude. Man, this film was off the charts. Everything in it is bananas. First, let's give a big applause to the Dude, who, from yesterday when I saw the movie till now, has skyrocketed on the charts of my favorite characters in history and space and time. The swagger that the Dude possesses is to strive for. Even though he often is in trouble due to his casual existence, his dominar of life holds him as a hero in my heart. He is his biggest enemy, and that is shown when he tries to stop the world from coming into his house; he nails a doorstopper, only shortly after to realize that the doors open in the opposite direction. Coming home later, he trips on his invention and falls on the floor, ending this big metaphor of how we often create our own problems. The way he carries himself after every falling, though, is impressive, and he possesses a rare attractiveness that makes everything around him intriguing. As Julianne Moore's character Maude, I also found him to be really irresistible. His behavior is contagious; I feel like I should put on a robe and fix myself a 'White Russian.' Even though I don't drink alcohol now, he made this drink look delicious. Coffee and Vodka sound like a headache in a glass, yet his 'Caucasians' looked outstanding; the whole look was imagined. And he feels like some mythological creature that lives inside you at the same time. We know that guy; I've met those guys a couple of times before. I've been these guys a couple of times.

What I also found to be extraordinary in this movie was Maude, played by Julianne Moore. Man, when she swung from that ceiling with the guys helping her spread paint on that painting, it was like an angel of comedy. This is how you appear in a room! Her controlling behavior on the background of this unpredictable chaos that is the Dude delivered such a funny contrast. The dynamic between those two was so realistic. At first glance, they seemed like extreme versions of two different species, yet they found each other magnetic and attractive. Just like his cocktails, vodka, and coffee apparently work perfectly together. The way she sent him to a doctor to check if he is an appropriate male was another level of mischief. But even though Moore had serious villainess characteristics here, playing side by side with Jeff Bridges, aka the Dude, she was allowed to be, offering an interesting commentary on masculinity and feminism. Because of their unmatched independency, they could've existed with one another unbothered by the other's eccentricities.

Nihilism was a big subject during this film, and I appreciate going there. Showing the bad parts of this nihilistic behavior as well as making it so attractive at the same time really delivered a non-biased commentary, leaving the choice to the audience. 

Iliya Badev