Rebuilding Rob

I’m probably going to be disloyal my generation twice in the next few sentences…

Until last night, I had never seen The Big Lebowski. To be honest, I was somewhat disappointed with it.

Tear up my Gen X card if you feel you must.

This comedy is from Joel & Ethan Cohen the powerhouse combo behind Fargo, Raising Arizona, No Country For Old Men and the True Grit remake. For those who don’t know the plot, it is the typical zaniness one would expect from a Cohen bothers comedy. ...Lebowski is case of mistaken identity run amuck. Stoner Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski is mistaken for a millionaire of the same name. When crooks break into his house and ruin his rug that “really brings the room together” The Dude is sucked into a plot that involves, debts, kidnapping, embezzlement and family drama. Hijinks ensue when The Dude, with some unwarranted help from his bowling buddies, agrees to be a “delivery man” for the other Jeffrey Lebowski.

Unlike my recent viewing of Night of the Living Dead (check out my review HERE), I was NOT able to watch this movie with 1998 eyes. I laughed out loud in a few parts and Jeff Bridges’ performance made The Dude into one of the most iconic movie characters of recent times. John Goodman nearly steals the show as The Dude’s bowling buddy and army vet, Walter. Despite all this, the mystique surrounding …Lebowski has proven to be greater than the movie itself.

But to its credit, the final 30 minutes of the movie picks up the pace; making up for the slow second act. All the loose plot points are tied up in the end; including what is supposed to be a tragic twist for The Dude and his bowling buddies, but fell flat for me personally

But through it all, The Rob abides. (I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist).

FINAL TAKE: Maybe I’ve seen one too many stoner flicks. Maybe its been too many buddy movies; but The Big Lebowski just didn’t stick the landing for me. Go ahead and watch it, if for no other reason than to understand all The Dude references your friends may make.

Thanks for stopping by Rebuilding Rob. All of your views, likes and follows are greatly appreciated! Be sure to follow me on social media as well!

• Teacher Armor and the Saturday Clearing
• The Extra Day: A Ten-Year Memory
• Of Training Wheels and Christmas Lights
• Charity Starts at Home (And I’m Back in My Childhood One)
• The Muscle of Empathy

The article “Rob’s Retro Review: The Big Lebowski (1998)” first appeared on Rebuilding Rob.