The Story of a Dude
I watched the Coen Brother’s The Big Lebowski (1998) and I thought it was a great movie! I decided to treat myself lol by paying the $2.99 and rent the movie from Amazon and I’m happy I did. This is considered a film noir and according to Encyclopædia Britannica, “Film noir, ( French: “dark film”) is a style of filmmaking characterized by elements such as cynical heroes, stark lighting effects, frequent use of flashbacks, intricate plots, and an underlying existentialist philosophy. The genre was prevalent mostly in American crime dramas of the post-World War II era.” (*See citation). This particular film which was produced nearly 3 decades after the genre really hit it off with the movie watching crowed. Obviously, times had changed and along with what the people wanted to see in a movie. I would like to start off with the movie poster that was used to advertise the film to the public.
This doesn’t really represent the noir genre that I have started to get accustomed to with the black and white element, with a hint of mystery and suspicion. I would say it almost gives off a comical look and I would credit that to the time period change correlated to the peoples wants. Looking at this poster made me look forward to the movie in the sense that it is going to be comical and light. The alternate movie poster portrays a completely different message.
This is Dude. He looks like he is mean mugging the camera making him look like a total badass. This is more classic noir in my opinion. This poster DOES portray that dark, mysterious, crime feel that many would expect. Both of these posters really give off a different message and I think that is an appropriate discussion question.
Moving on, The movie had a mix of dark and light scenes that keep you guessing whats going to happen next. The Build up of LA allowed for an advancement in the noir genre concerning this movie. With bigger, more modern buildings and structures, it allowed to explore different dimensions of crime and mystery, but on the other hand, comedy as well!
My last quick thought is in the opening scene with the tumble weed rolling down the street in the gentle wind… I would say that was a metaphor for the friend’s bowling team and death. Dude, Walter and Donny were a great team. Im sorry to see they couldn’t all make it out together.
“film noir”. Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.
Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2015. Web. 15 Feb. 2015
<http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/206993/film-noir>.
Great scene, one of my favorites from the movie. It does have strong language. Enjoy!