The Big Lebowski
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Big Lebowski is a 1998 comedy film directed by Coen brothers, starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore. It drew a wide audience and shaped its genre.
Plot
The Big Lebowski is a 1998 neo-noir crime comedy film written, directed, produced and co-edited by Joel and Ethan Coen, and starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, and John Turturro. It follows the life of Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski, a Los Angeles slacker and avid bowler who is assaulted as a result of mistaken identity, and becomes embroiled in a kidnapping and ransom scheme focused on a millionaire who shares his name.
The film is loosely inspired by the work of Raymond Chandler. Joel Coen said, "We wanted to do a Chandler kind of story—how it moves episodically and deals with the characters trying to unravel a mystery, as well as having a hopelessly complex plot that's ultimately unimportant." The score is by Carter Burwell, a longtime collaborator of the Coen brothers.
Production
Written by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, the film was produced by PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. Carter Burwell composed the score. Roger Deakins handled the cinematography. The film runs 117 minutes. The crew and editing refined every shot.
Reception
On a budget of $15,000,000, The Big Lebowski grossed $47,010,480 worldwide at the box office. A critic consensus praised its screenplay and score.
Legacy
Its legacy endures through a remake, a sequel and a lasting franchise; later cinema cites its influence and symbolism.
See also
References
- "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time". topfilms100. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- Ebert, Roger. The Great Movies. Broadway Books.
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