In other Coen news
If you are fan of analysis of The Big Lebowski (if you are reading this I assume you are) I advise you to get thee hence to The Big Lebowski, a new volume in the authoritative BFI Film Classics line, by J.M. Tyree and Ben Walters.
In addition to a comprehensive overview of Lebowski‘s place in the noir tradition, the essay by Tyree and Walters does an excellent job of rooting out and exposing some of the more baffling layers of meaning in the movie and includes thoughtful, revealing passages on the sexual politics of the Coens’ movies (where men are always trying to “act like men,” and failing, as women succeed by acting like women), Walter’s fetish for strict adherence to rules (his military life gave him meaning, meaning he hasn’t found since), the familial aspects of the Dude/Walter/Donny team, and the significance of Jesus’s relationship to Walter (Jesus representing Christ, Walter representing the Pharisees, men who observe the trappings of Judaism while caring nothing about it), and much much more.
I was wondering when BFI was going to get around to doing a Coen Brothers film. They picked a great one to start with.
You know, I love analysis of art and how it reveals the hidden messages buried underneath (either intended or unintended) that can help you to reevaluate life. And then, on the other hand, I love sitting back and watching a movie about a stoner, a Vietnam vet, and fake kidnappings without wondering the significance of the color of the convertible that Bunny is driving.
In short, art is fine to pick apart, but it’s also fine to just sit back and not over think it.
If it helps you any, the BFI book notes at some length that the final “purpose” of Lebowski is to simply make people laugh — a goal which it sees as religious in nature.
um
explain how
the jesus
is
um
jesus?
christ was a pedophile?
Oh, well you’ll just have to read the book then, won’t you?
that’s just what you would want me to do, read…