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Written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, The Big Lebowski opens to mixed reviews. Set in Los Angeles, Jeff "the dude" Lebowski is a shambolic, 10-pin bowling stoner who, in a case of mistaken identity, finds himself and his two bowling cronies, Walter and Donny, sucked into a farcical, quasi-Chandler-esque kidnap and ransom imbroglio with a whacky rogue's gallery that includes, among others, a trio of "nihilists", a smarmy porn merchant, and a clucky, avant-garde painter looking to get impregnated. A sublime, comic masterpiece hoisted to rarified cult classic status by the great Jeff Bridges and a supporting cast that includes John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, David Huddleston, John Turturo and, in a stand-out cameo, the great Sam Elliott. The Coens at the top of their game.
