The scene in the bar serves two purposes, I think. Yes, it was a bit odd because you don't really think that a Japanese-American would have the same Minnesota accent as everybody else, but of course, he would. But then, when you find out the truth of the character, it reinforces the idea of duplicitous characters who act one way but have their ulterior motives.

I'll agree that it didn't need to be there. Hell, Steve Buscemi's leg didn't even need to be there.

I suppose you guys are right. Still, as Mark f said, we didn't NEED the scene. If it was cut, we wouldn't miss a thing. However, I couldn't imagine "The Big Lebowski" having anything cut out. Even the crazy bowling dream would be missed!

As far as TBL goes, one of my favorite scenes is when The Dude is taking a cab ride, and the cabbie is finishing telling a joke that involves "a rash" as the punchline. The Dude just smiles lazily, "Yeah, man, I got a rash.."

See...I just don't find the Dude's utterances funny. The writing doesn't move, doesn't dance. It just trips over its 2 left feet...ok, maybe thats a little harsh, duuuuude..

The bar scene in Fargo did always bother me. I never thought about it the way it's been described, and even then I gotta think it's a little weak. It's like Huck Finn and it's last ten or so chapters - stick out like a sore thumb, but the strength of the majority is so strong it's still easily a classic.

Actually I think the bowling dream is maybe my favorite part. It's so cool, the look on The Dude's face the whole time (he looks so gone) the music and the flying around, haha. That or all the Creedence stuff, <3 Creedence.

quote:

Originally posted by Commontone:
As far as TBL goes, one of my favorite scenes is when The Dude is taking a cab ride, and the cabbie is finishing telling a joke that involves "a rash" as the punchline. The Dude just smiles lazily, "Yeah, man, I got a rash.."

I think you have that one confused. I believe the above is when he's in the back of the limo. The cab scene is even better though! He's just been hit on the head with the coffee mug and "Peaceful Easy Feeling" by The Eagles is playing on the radio.

DUDE: Jesus, man, can you change the station?

DRIVER: Fuck you man! You don't like my fucking music, get your own fucking cab!

DUDE: I've had a--

DRIVER: I pull over and kick your ass out, man!

DUDE: --had a rough night, and I hate the fucking Eagles, man--

DRIVER: That's it! Outta this fucking cab!

Maude: You can imagine what happens next.

Dude: He fixes the cable?

Great film I think, one of my favourites.

"It was Lenin who said.. the em-"
"I am the walrus."
"No, no, the empathy of the mass-"
"I am the walrus"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP DONNY, VLADAMIR LENIN! V I LENIN!"

I guess I watched the Big L with fairly low expectations - it was critically bashed about here. And as a result I loved it. I don't fit the demographic of under 25; I don't agree that its the films demographic anyway.

Fargo was also great. Those two films are definitely in my favourites.

I appreciate your input, but I didn't actually mean to say that ONLY 25 year olds love it. I did say that it's an easy movie to love. The first hour is pretty much on a roll, but I don't consider it more than a bon bon. It's tasty and yummy, and if you really love the two main characters, I guess it could be Bliss.

However, I still find flaws with it, especially compared to some other Big movies.

Surely you mean Tom Hanks' Oscar-nominated, brilliant role as a kid-adult in the Penny Marshall-directed, classic Big?

quote:

Originally posted by FragileKidA:
Surely you mean Tom Hanks' Oscar-nominated, brilliant role as a kid-adult in the Penny Marshall-directed, classic Big?

I believe mark was referring to the Adam Sandler vehicle, Big Daddy. Rumor has it that he's a big fan.

Both of you are idiots. He obviously meant the 1988 sci-fi classic Biggles, featuring Peter Cushing in his last film role.

How do you know he didn't mean "BIG" as in popular? Or, "BIG" cult classics? Well, there's only one person who knew what he meant & that's the man, himself. Guess we won't know 'til he spills the beans, but this may be a mystery that carries until the end of time.

"I am not Mr. Lebowski! You're Mr. Lebowski! I'm the Dude! So, that's whatcha call me. You know? Uh, that or, um, his Dudeness, or, uh, Duder, or, uh, you know? El Duderino. If you're not into the whole brevity thing."

I like the idea of keeping something so important a mystery until the end of time, but everyone's theories so far are pretty right-on.

Haha, everything after mark's post and before yours Monkey was a "big" joke--so to say. I am pretty sure that when mark said that he found "flaws when compared to other Big movies" he meant movies with the word "big" in the title. And I am drawing this from his quote on the first page of the thread:

quote:

Originally posted by mark f:
I have to ask, do you even understand the title? The Big Lebowski is a post-modern, stoner film noir update of Bogie's/Hawks' The Big Sleep, but The Big Sleep is far superior.

So after I said that he MUST have meant the brilliant Tom Hanks film Big it was just a big joke.

quote:

Originally posted by FragileKidA:
I am pretty sure that when mark said that he found "flaws when compared to other Big movies" he meant movies with the word "big" in the title. And I am drawing this from his quote on the first page of the thread

Soooo, does that mean "The Big Hit" isn't as flawed as "The Big Lebowski"?!

quote:

Originally posted by Monkey_Boy:
How do you know he didn't mean "BIG" as in popular? Or, "BIG" cult classics? Well, there's only one person who knew what he meant & that's the man, himself. Guess we won't know 'til he spills the beans, but this may be a mystery that carries until the end of time.

"I am not Mr. Lebowski! You're Mr. Lebowski! I'm the Dude! So, that's whatcha call me. You know? Uh, that or, um, his Dudeness, or, uh, Duder, or, uh, you know? El Duderino. If you're not into the whole brevity thing."

So we're on the wrong track, and your actual fave is Pretty Woman, huh?

You know, i'm pretty shocked at the reaction to this posting. I never thought it was in doubt that The Big Lebowski was one of the greats. Not only is it funny enough to make me laugh out loud several times during the film, but its subtle humor entertains much longer. If you think the humor is sophmoric go back and watch it again; look at all those scat jokes, nut shots, and disgusting perverse humor situations. Remember those? No, you don't, because they're not in it anywhere. I thought the dialogues humor was superb, sometimes subtle, sometimes obvious, but always prevalent througout the movie. Also, many people don't realize that it even is a detective movie until the end.
However, the movie has layers as well. Listen to Sam Elliot as The Stranger in the beginning.
"Now, i won't say a hero, 'cause whats a hero? But sometimes, sometimes theres a man...well, he's the man, for his time and place. And thats The Dude, in Los Angles."[Around the time of our conflict with sadaam and the iraquis.] The Dude and Walter identify the two prevalent mindsets of the early 90's, That of the aging hippies coming to grips with the fact that the 60's really and truly are over "I suggest you do what your parents did! Get a job sir! Your revolution is over! Condolences! The bums lost! the bum-" and the ex hawk and military vietnam enthuisats, trying to re-live every situation or conflict through justification with their past expeirences. "I did not watch my buddies die FACE DOWN IN THE MUD IN VIETNAM SO THAT STRUMPET! THAT TART! COULD GO AROUNd-". Even Donnie, the everyman who just wanted to be left alone but gets caught up between the two, is a sign of the aging times. Also notice the many references to the Gulf War throughout the moive. The guy who runs the bowling place who looks exactly like sadaam, and in the dream sequence IS sadaam hussein. The quote "Check out our situation with this camel fucker in the rag" and "I am talking about DRAWING A LINE IN THE SAND DUDE! ACROSS THIS LINE YOU DO NOT CROSS!", the member of the armed services solitarily bowling at the end, and various other sublte references. Nothing in this movie is done without purpose. However, if you don't want to discifer the whole thing, just listen to sam elliots monolouge in the beginning. It pretty well spells it all out for you. In summation, i love this movie not just because of the great humor, relatable characters and hilarious social commentary, but also because of its layers, and how it-like The Dude-is often passed over for its grubby exterior and stoner charm.
The Dude abides.

Definitely true. Hey, I love the Dude! I just think his sequel could probably be much (SACRILEGE!!) better.