The lack of commercial success does not always indicate the low quality of the feature film. Many film critics claim that the worst work of the Cowen brothers is the crime comedy Big Lebowski, which was released in 1998. The actors, nevertheless, played "excellently", and the jokes that abound in the script of the picture acquired the status of people. So, who got the main and secondary roles in this humorous film project?
A few words about the plot
The work "Deep Sleep", written back in 1939 by Chandler, became the basis for the script in which the film "Big Lebowski" was shot. However, the comedy drama can hardly be called an adaptation of this work, since many details have been modified, new characters have been added, unexpected plot twists have been invented. The action of the tape takes place in 1991 in Los Angeles.
The film "Big Lebowski" introduces viewers to an unusual character who responds to the nickname "Dude." The hero enjoys life, joyfully accepting all her gifts and not worrying about the lack of a permanent job. It is quite enough for him to drink and arrange bowling contests with his friends, and paying a small unemployment benefit allows him to pay bills. Unfortunately, Jeffrey’s peaceful existence ends when criminals confuse him with another person. The rich man bears the same name as Lebowski, so the bandits are convinced that it’s Dude who owes them a large amount of money. A method of pressure on him should be a kidnapped woman, who is taken by the gang for her wife Lebowski.
Who played the main character
Actor Jeff Bridges, telling reporters about filming in a crime comedy, calls the role of "Dude" his main creative achievement. Not surprisingly, if it weren’t for the Cowen brothers ’picture, which received wide resonance and won many fans, the 70s star could hardly have triumphantly returned to the big movie. Interestingly, in the film, his character wears mostly his own things.
Of course, Jeff is far from the only star in the comedy Big Lebowski, whose actors for the most part are well known to the public. However, he got the most difficult role, with which he coped flawlessly. In the past, the character of Bridges managed to make many attempts to improve the world. However, tired of the meaninglessness of such an activity, the hero chose a passive existence for himself, turning into a “Dude,” who loves only to play bowling. Critics are united in the fact that Jeff created an interesting image of a nonsense, indifferent to people and traditional life values such as status in society, wealth.
John Goodman and his hero
Is there a better way to demonstrate to the audience all the unusual character than to surround him with even more extraordinary people? “Dude” is not the only interesting hero of the film project “Big Lebowski”. The actors who played Jeffrey's friends were able to make their characters lively and unusual.
Few viewers who liked the crime comedy failed to remember Walter Sobchak. This is the name of a friend of the central character, whose image was masterfully created by John Goodman. He played a Vietnam battle veteran who is concerned about post-traumatic syndrome. The imbalance makes Sobchak a hero of endless comic events, but this does not prevent him from remaining a loyal friend.
By the age of 63, John Goodman managed to star in about a hundred diverse projects. Walter Sobchak is not the only bright role that allowed the actor to be remembered by the audience. Interestingly, the status of a star was given to him by another Cowen film - “Raising Arizona”. Goodman is also known to the audience for his roles in the films "Barton Fink", "King Ralph", "Fear of Spiders."
Steve Buscemi and his character
Walter Sobchak is not the only friend of the protagonist of the comedy Big Lebowski, whose actors and roles after almost two decades have been of interest to the audience. Dude also spoke closely with a guy named Donny, who was on his bowling team. It is interesting that Theodore is completely unaware of the adventures of his friend, so he constantly finds himself in ridiculous situations. Unfortunately, Donnie's life ends sadly.
Steve Buscemi is the performer of this role. The actor over the years of filming had a chance to work with a lot of director-stars. Among them are not only the Cowen brothers, but also Tarantino, Jarmusch, Rodriguez. You can see it in such famous films as “Mad Dogs”, “Pulp Fiction”, “Fargo”, “Mystical Train”.
The namesake of the protagonist
Obviously, the audience is also interested in the character for whom the bandits took Jeffrey Lebowski. Dude's namesake was excellently played by David Huddlestone. His hero in this picture was the grumpy owner of a huge fortune, for many years forced to be in a wheelchair, becoming one of the victims of the Korean War. Interestingly, people reminiscent of “Dude” and his friends, cause “big” Lebowski only contempt.
David Huddlestone is an actor who recently celebrated his 85th birthday. First of all, this person is known for his comedic gift, most often starred in humorous films. However, David has serious dramatic roles. Viewers can remember the American on the set of the films "Santa Claus", "Sparkling Saddles", "Indomitable."
The family of the "big" Lebowski
The wife of the namesake Jeffrey, allegedly abducted by a criminal group, was played by actress Tara Reid. Her character Bunny worked in the field of porn before her marriage. It was her love of expensive things that made her husband remain to be due to bandits. It is curious that Charlize Theron claimed the role of Bunny, but the directors preferred Reed.
There is a “big” Lebowski and daughter Maud, in the role of which is Juliana Moore. Her heroine is fond of writing avant-garde paintings, believes in feminist postulates. The girl constantly quarrels with her father, whom he reproaches for excessive vanity.
Other interesting heroes
The list of unusual characters will not be complete if you do not include the hero played by Ben Gazzara. The actor, also known for the films “Dogville”, “Buffalo 66”, embodied the image of a person who creates and sells films related to the category of porn. Once upon a time, Bunny Lebowski starred in his works, then turned out to be a large amount of money owed to the former employer.
Philip Seymour Hoffman is another crime comedy star. In his performance, the assistant to the sick millionaire turned out brilliantly, putting wealth above all else on his own and on his master. You can admire his game by watching such films as “The Talented Mr. Ripley”, “The Smell of a Woman”. Unfortunately, Philip Seymour Hoffman died at the age of 46.
This is how the most interesting characters of a fascinating comedy story look like.