The Huge Lebowski is among the most iconic movies of the Nineteen Nineties (and that’s saying loads). With equal components crime conspiracy, comedy, slice of life, and high-concept thriller, this can be a film that scratches an itch solely the Coen Brothers can pull off.
The character of “The Dude” is among the most quoted, memed, imitated, and referenced movie characters amongst film lovers. And people — what you won’t know is that this iconic character, the man who made us all wish to attempt White Russians and purchase up to date throw rugs, is the truth is primarily based on an actual particular person. Or somewhat, a number of actual individuals.
In immediately’s episode, we take a deeper take a look at this fan-favorite comedy, break down the making of it, and in the end attempt to reply an important query: What the f* occurred to The Huge Lebowski?!**
Launched in 1998, The Huge Lebowski follows Jeff Lebowski, a.ok.a. The Dude — an L.A. bowler with no need for a gradual job, private hygiene, or perhaps a wholesome way of life. He spends his days smoking weed and bowling along with his buddies. Ya know — the nice life.
When The Dude will get mistaken for a unique Jeff Lebowski — one who has hundreds of thousands of {dollars}, a butler, and Tara Reid for a spouse — our hero will get pulled face-first right into a conspiracy of epic proportions involving kidnapping scams, German nihilists, and Julianne Moore.
This isn’t a scorching take, however this film has a downright excellent forged. We’ll get into that quickly — however the place the story actuallybegins is behind the digicam, with Joel and Ethan Coen — the Coen Brothers.
These guys want no introduction, however in case you didn’t know, they’re the filmmakers behind Elevating Arizona, Barton Fink, Fargo, and No Nation for Outdated Males — plus a bunch of different nice motion pictures.
Now, the Coens normally write the flicks they direct, and in 1991, whereas they had been in manufacturing on Barton Fink, they began kicking round concepts for a unique movie. Impressed by novelist Raymond Chandler, the brothers wished to heart their story round completely different social courses and their distinctive motives — however with a contemporary twist.
Ethan Coen stated what they had been after was a film the place their unlikely hero embarks on a mission that’s deep, advanced, and in the end… unimportant. I believe that sums this film up completely.
As for the principle character, they knew the script would solely work if the protagonist was lovable, tragic, dazed, confused, and utterly unbothered by the chaos round him.
And people, I wasn’t kidding once I stated The Dude was primarily based on actual individuals.
Jeff Lebowski is usually primarily based on Seattle Seven movie producer Jeff Dowd, who was identified by his pals as “The Dude” and beloved the occasional White Russian. However what was Dowd like? Was he strolling round L.A. in a bathrobe and slumming it along with his buddies?
No — that was Peter Exline, the opposite inspiration for The Dude.
The Coens met Exline in movie college and stated he lived in a dump of a home, however had a throw rug in his lounge that — say it with me — actually tied the room collectively. These had been direct quotes from each the film and the Coens’ actual recollections. They knew that they had all of the makings of a genuinely fascinating character. The thought to make the movie centered round The Dude’s interest — bowling — got here from Exline’s participation in a group softball league. The Coens switched the game to bowling, which they noticed as a extremely social pastime excellent for dialogue-heavy scenes.
It appeared like the celebs had been aligned — a terrific character idea, glowing repute from earlier movies, and curiosity from the potential forged — however there was an issue.
Because the script developed, the brothers misplaced steam round web page 40. So, they took a break and made Fargo — one in all their most profitable movies (and for good purpose). After Fargo’s success, they returned to The Huge Lebowski, accomplished the screenplay, and simply obtained the inexperienced gentle from Polygram and Working Title Movies, who had been nonetheless counting their cash from Fargo.
And identical to that, casting started.
First up, the MVP supporting characters:
John Goodman was all the time the imaginative and prescient for Walter — The Dude’s trusty however unhinged sidekick with hardcore PTSD. No one else was thought of; this was a John Goodman function via and thru.
Similar story for Steve Buscemi as Donnie — the Coens wrote the function for him. Donnie’s lovable and harmless nature makes him the proper comedian distinction.
John Turturro performs Jesus Quintana, a rival bowler who steals the present in his few scenes. He was a straightforward get for the Coens after Barton Fink. Jesus would even get his personal spinoff movie, The Jesus Rolls — which, I’ll admit, I hadn’t heard a lot about till researching this video.
We even have Tara Reid, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and David Huddleston as the opposite Jeff Lebowski. Funnily sufficient, that function was initially provided to Anthony Hopkins (who wasn’t eager about enjoying an American), then Jack Nicholson (who solely wished to do it if he may play Moses), and even Gene Hackman (who was taking a break from performing). All issues thought of, I’m glad we obtained Huddleston.
When it got here to casting The Dude, Jeff Bridges wasn’t the primary selection. The Coens initially provided the function to Mel Gibson, who reportedly “didn’t take it seriously.”
Bridges was provided the function subsequent, however hesitated — nervous it would set a nasty instance for his younger daughters. Certainly one of them, a giant Coen fan, satisfied him to take the assembly. After studying the script and speaking to the filmmakers, he couldn’t flip it down.
He signed on — and the remainder is historical past.
There’s no proof Bridges was truly stoned throughout filming, however I wish to think about he was. Enjoyable truth: most of The Dude’s wardrobe got here from Bridges’ personal closet. He even hung out with Jeff Dowd to nail the character’s physicality — the slouch, the shuffle, the relaxed intestine.
Bridges has stated The Dude is the character most like himself in actual life — although he claims he’s a bit extra “creative.”
Now, for the film’s normal look and tone — the Coens wished one thing retro that harkened again to the Nineteen Sixties and ’70s Los Angeles aesthetic. The retro bowling alley, the pastel shade palette, and the soundtrack all reinforce that heat, laid-back vibe. It’s attractive.
Regardless of its polished look, The Huge Lebowski wasn’t a big-budget movie. The Coens had been granted $15 million — modest for a studio comedy. Taking pictures in L.A. saved prices, as they may use actual places as an alternative of constructing units. Roger Deakins, the cinematographer, stated they aimed for a grounded, up to date look that might distinction with the film’s wild dream sequence — which, let’s be trustworthy, is mainly one of many coolest music movies of all time.
Filming lasted about three months, with almost a type of spent taking pictures at Hollywood Star Lanes in Los Angeles. Each bowling sequence was filmed there — besides the dream sequence, which was shot in a transformed airplane hangar. In accordance with everybody concerned, the shoot was as enjoyable and free-spirited because the movie itself. That real chemistry reveals in each scene — The Dude’s simple rapport with everybody (besides the opposite Lebowski), the relaxed pacing, and the easy humor.
When the film was launched, although, it was a monetary disappointment — grossing solely $19.5 million worldwide. It technically made cash, however advertising and marketing prices meant it barely broke even. What appeared like a sure-thing Fargo follow-up grew to become misplaced in obscurity… till residence video.
As soon as The Huge Lebowski hit VHS and DVD, it exploded. Individuals had been shopping for copies, lending them to pals, and spreading the phrase. Over time, the film constructed a large cult following, retroactively remodeling right into a “classic” that feels prefer it was all the time beloved. As a result of let’s face it — this film issues. It’s one of many Coens’ finest, however in 1998, hardly anybody knew that.
From a chill man who beloved his rug and his White Russians, to a wild conspiracy worthy of a detective novel, to inspiring a real-life increase in bowling leagues in 1999 — The Huge Lebowski went on the final word hero’s journey.
And I assume that is what the f*** occurred to The Huge Lebowski.
