BIG LEBOWSKI 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION (DVD) (2DISCS/WS/ENG SDH/SPAN/FREN) DVD

The Big Lebowski
The plot of this Raymond Chandler-esque comedy crime caper from the Coen Brothers (Joel Coen and Ethan Coen) pivots around a case of mistaken identity complicated by extortion, double-crosses, deception, embezzlement, sex, pot, and gallons of White Russians (made with fresh cream, please). In 1991, unemployed '60s refugee Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) grooves into his laid-back Los Angeles lifestyle. One of the laziest men in LA, he enjoys hanging with his bowling buddies, pompous security-store owner Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) and mild-mannered ex-surfer Donny (Steve Buscemi). However, the Dude's life takes an alternate route the afternoon two goons break into his threadbare Venice, California, bungalow, rough him up, and urinate on his living room rug. Why? Because Jackie Treehorn (Ben Gazzara) is owed money by the wife of a certain Jeff Lebowski. However, the goons grabbed the wrong Jeff Lebowski. With the right info, they would have invaded the home of philanthropic Pasadena millionaire Jeffrey Lebowski (David Huddleston). The Dude looks up his wealthy namesake, manages to get a replacement for his rug, and meets the millionaire's sexy young wife Bunny (Tara Reid). Later, Jeffrey ("The Big") Lebowski calls in the Dude to deliver a $1 million ransom for the return of his kidnapped wife. Fine -- except that Walter intrudes and botches the ransom drop. As events unravel, the Dude gets caught up in the schemes of Lebowski's daughter, erotic artist Maude (Julianne Moore), encounters both cops and bad guys, and drifts through an elaborate bowling fantasy sequence titled Gutterballs. The soundtrack includes Bob Dylan, Yma Sumac, Moondog, Captain Beefheart, and the Sons of the Pioneers. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Cast Jeff Bridges as The Dude John Goodman as Walter Sobchak Julianne Moore as Maude Lebowski Steve Buscemi as Donny David Huddleston as The Big Lebowski Philip Seymour Hoffman as Brandt Peter Stormare as Nihilist Flea as Nihilist Leon Russom as Malibu Police Chief Sam Elliott as The Stranger Tara Reid as Bunny Lebowski John Turturro as Jesus Quintana David Thewlis as Knox Harrington Ben Gazzara as Jackie Treehorn Aimee Mann as Nihilist

Crew John Dexter - Art Director John Lyons - Casting John Cameron - Co-producer Mary Zophres - Costume Designer Jeff Rafner - First Assistant Director Joel Coen - Director Tricia Cooke - Editor Roderick Jaynes - Editor Tim Bevan - Executive Producer Eric Fellner - Executive Producer Carter Burwell - Composer (Music Score) Rick Heinrichs - Production Designer Roger Deakins - Cinematographer Ethan Coen - Producer Chris Spellman - Set Designer Allan Byer - Sound/Sound Designer Janek Sirrs - Special Effects Supervisor Joel Coen - Screenwriter Ethan Coen - Screenwriter

The Big Lebowski
Those who preferred the cut-and-dry, linear plotline of the Coen brothers' Fargo (1996) might be advised to stay away from the duo's gleefully absurd follow-up, The Big Lebowski. The film doesn't have much use for established storytelling techniques; it's more of a series of bizarre vignettes, which might be a problem if they weren't so funny. The title character, brilliantly played by Jeff Bridges, is a latter-day, stoner version of Philip Marlowe; it's one of the many homages the Coens make to films of decades past. The supporting players -- including John Goodman as Lebowski's buddy, and John Turturro as the wonderfully profane bowling champ Jesus -- are excellent as well. Lebowski performed tepidly at the box office, perhaps because of the inevitable post-Fargo backlash. Much like the Coens' earlier cult classic Raising Arizona (1987), it's the kind of film that audiences either love or hate. ~ Matthew Doberman, All Movie Guide
 

(no awards)

General Specifications: Language Options: English, French, Spanish Subtitle Options: English, French, Spanish Sound Processing: DD5.1: Dolby Digital w/ sub-woofer channel DDS2.0: Dolby Digital w/ 4 channels of sound from a 2-channel stereo mix. Additional Features: Disc 1: An Exclusive Introduction The Dude's Life The Dude Abides: The Big Lebowski Ten Years Later Production Notes Theatrical Trailer Disc 2: The 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 MPAA Rating: R DVD Discs Included: DVD Sides: DVD DVD Region Code: Content Length: 118 min