The Big Lebowski (1998) - Joel and Ethan Coen

Black comedy, bowling, and film noir don't necessarily seem like the most likely combo for a film, but damn it if that isn't exactly how to describe this film, which has become a modern classic since its original, somewhat forgettable release. Fargo was monstrous in its success, and I'm sure audiences at the time may have thought of this film as a step down. In the years since this film has probably become more ingrained in the popular culture, and certainly has carried a much greater cult following complete with Lebowski bowling tournaments, and several T-shirts of the Dude (Jeff Bridges), Walter (John Goodman), and even Jesus (John Turturrro). Nearly all of the Coen brothers films are based upon plot and this film is no different. However this film unwinds in a much more luxurious pace than the frantic twists and turns of previous films. 

The Dude gets thrown into the mix as a partial genius slash complete buffoon who just happens to get pretty lucky repeatedly. Bridges seems to be challenging the slightly clumsy Philippe Marlowe of Elliot Gould in The Long Goodbye. As he tells Maude (Julliane Moore) "I'm keeping my mind limber with a wide regimen of drugs". Many critics thought the film was severely dumbing it down for audiences with lots of drug references, and Lebowski seems to have a White Russian in his hand any time he doesn't have a bowling ball. The film makes up for a buffoonish main character with a rather intricate plot that is full of double crosses and at least as many parties as a Chandler novel. 

Still no doubt in my mind, and many other viewers the highlight of the film comes from the all too brief supporting work of John Turturro, a Coen regular who the two reportedly saw in a play where he played a Hispanic a decade before. Since that time they had been looking for a role to give him to fit that bill. His Jesus comes complete with hairnet and a purple jump suit, and every line of dialogue he has in the film is quotable. Not to mention Walter's line after he bowls "Dude, 8 year olds". Turturro has shined in supporting work, and has become something of a modern Anthony Quinn being called on to play nearly every ethnic group in the book. The film is a delight and like Raising Arizona probably the most compulsively rewatchable Coen Brothers film. If nothing else you can see what Tara Reid looked like before drugs and plastic surgery made her a freak show.