Movies of 1998 Bracket Game: There’s Something About Mary Vs. The Big Lebowski
The first time I saw The Big Lebowski I thought it was a mildly entertaining trifle, but by the time I’d completed a second viewing I was already fully devoted to its madcap world of losers and misplaced egos. Joel and Ethan Coen’s spoof of traditional Los Angeles-based noir was not initially a hit with movie-goers, but once it hit video, The Big Lebowski began to become one of those movies that is extremely beloved and personalized to its biggest fans. Just four years after the film’s release, an annual “Lebowski Fest” began being held in Louisville, Kentucky and has since expanded to other cities, including a similar “The Dude Abides” event held in London, England. These events bring together fans from all over for bowling tournaments, trivia contests, costume contests, and other social gatherings. In 2005, fans of the movie even began a faux religion based around the philosophy of the Jeff Lebowski character, called “Dudeism” which draws some of its parodic strength from sounding a little like “Taoism.” The film is popular enough that a spinoff movie based entirely on the pederast character played by John Turturro has been filmed without the Coen’s participation and appears to currently be in post-production. In addition to being an expansion on the Jesus Quintana character, the film will be a remake of and share the title of Bertrand Blier’s 1974 movie Going Places, which was centered around the story of three sexually depraved characters. Although this new film will not include any other characters from The Big Lebowski, the cast does feature well-known actors Bobby Cannavale, Audrey Tautou, Susan Sarandon, and Sonia Braga.share