The Big Lebowski Remains Perhaps the Biggest Cult Classic of the Last Thirty Years: 10 Reasons Why the Dude Remains Such an Endearing—and Enduring—Character:

 

With the new documentary about The Big Lebowski coming out about the enduring cult classic, we should look at 10 Reasons the Dude remains such an enduring figure: 

1. We all want to be the Dude for he is not some elitist or hyped-up movie character. He is an Everyman, which is to say he is a man completely stripped of pretension.
2. The Dude is not a sell-out. No one or no thing owns him. He is his own man and he seems to embody Steely Dan’s song manifesto “Deacon Blues”: “This brother is free. I’ll be what I want to be.”
3. The Dude does not have inflated narcissistic expectations like too many Americans. He just wants his few creature comforts like bowling with his buddies and drinking his favorite libation, a white Russian.
4. The Dude has integrity. He does not wear different masks to manipulate others.
5. The Dude is not a ruthless social Darwinist who would step on others to gain his own advantage. He is loyal to his Dude Code.
6. The Dude does not try to be cool or impress others so that ironically he is truly cool.
7. The Dude captures our incredulity at life’s absurdities. No face in film can capture better the Dude’s “WTF” expression.
8. The Dude is a loyal friend who does not make a big deal about his loyalty because for him loyalty is an unspoken part of his Dude Code.
9. The Dude is his own man but he is not burdened with the narcissistic urge to conform others into his own image. He accepts that everyone is different.
10. The Dude is comfortable enough in his own skin to traipse the grocery store aisles in his robe and slippers and not make a big deal out of it. No studied casualness for him. He is utterly and truly casual.

 

 

Comments

[Angelo]

I saw this movie once, when it first opened---in a theater. I've never watched again on video or television. Maybe I should. I hear people rave about it and about the character. My recollection is that I panned the movie badly. Ironically, I thought the character lacked authenticity (which seems to be what others rave about---that he WAS authenic in the role). I thought some of the sequences were pointless and didn't add humor. In any case, I seem to be outnumbered.

[Jeffrey McMahon]

A movie is like a date. Either you connect with your date or you don't.

I can watch this film and Sideways over and over.

[Terry, the Twin Ferrite Ogler]

Anyone tried the CCRadio-2?

http://www.ccrane.com/radios/am-fm-radios/ccradio-2.aspx

[Angelo]

Films I can watch over and over include The Graduate, Pulp Fiction, Resevoir Dogs, Fargo and of course A Christmas Story.

[gerald]

angelo,, add "five easy pieces" to your list and im with you.

"the dude abides"

[Jeffrey McMahon]

Maybe the dude is a California thing.

Terry, I've reviewed the CCR-2 for this blog. Strong AM, so-so FM, so-so speaker sound.

[Terry, the Twin Ferrite Ogler]

Thanks Jeff!

[herculodge]

Terry, I should add the radio seems pricey. I think the Sangean PR-D5 is offering the same performance at about half the price.

[Frank]

The Dude abides forever as do all of the little Lebowski's

[dorpmuller]

"MARK IT ZERO!!" Fav movie of all time here!

[Jeffrey McMahon]

I wonder if the Big Lebowski fulfills some spiritual yearning people have. I think it does for me.

[Ed K.]

Has anyone been hearing the Dude's voice on any commercials lately?? I thought that was below the Dude's standards. Then again it was never explained on how the Dude made any money. THIS WILL NOT STAND, MAN!!!!

[gerald]

"it really tied the room together donnie."

[Angelo]

How does Kramer make money to afford an apartment in NY on Seinfeld? Was that ever explained on the show?

[Ed K.]

Also, how did Richard Kimble (The Fugitive) or David Banner (The Incredible Hulk) make any real money while on the run?? You really don't see shows like these anymore on TV!
By the way, is there any truth in the rumor of a sequel to The Big Lebowski???