Review by Adam Stephen Kelly
Stars Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi,
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tara Reid, John Turturro | Written by Joel Cohen & Ethan Cohen
UK Certification 18 | UK RRP £24.99 | BD Region ABC | Runtime 119 minutes | Directed by Joel & Ethan Cohen
There's no denying that The Big Lebowski has a massive cult following. It has even spawned its own festival that has seen the film shown at gatherings all over the US, and indeed the UK. But I'm afraid I'm not one of the masses.
Now that isn't to say that I don't like the film, as I do. It's a lot of fun, and features Jeff Bridges' craziest performance to date as the eponymous Dude, who gets caught up in a case of mistaken identity that sees him thrown into the deep end of a kidnapping, with plenty of comedic consequences.
Is it the Coen brothers' best film? I don't think so – and by quite a way – but it is warm, funny and meaningful. The Dude may just be their most memorable – and quotable – character, though, with John “You see what happens when you find a stranger in the alps?” (PG version) Goodman's turn as Vietnam vet Walter perhaps a close second.
It'll also make you want to try a White Russian.
This is an excellent release, however, packaged as a Blu-ray Digibook that's bursting with special features. The remaster is top-notch. Fans are absolutely going to eat this up. Man.
EXTRAS ★★★★ Worthy Adversaries: What's My Line Trivia; An Exclusive Introduction; The Dude's Life: the cast and crew discuss the titular character; The Dude Abides: The Big Lebowski Ten Years Later; Making of The Big Lebowski; The Lebowski Fest: An Achiever's Story; Flying Carpets and Bowling Pin Dreams: The Dream Sequences of The Dude; Interactive Map; Jeff Bridges Photo Book; Photo Gallery; U-Control interactive features; 24-page colour booklet.