Influence - The Coen Brothers
One influence of mine was The Coen Brothers. Their combination of dark humour and undelining tines is somthing i want tyo replicate in my film. Here is a review I did of thier 1998 film, The Big Lebowski.
Just like in Fargo, Barton Fink and any other of their
notable greats, the Coen Brothers have created a film that is not only a great
viewing for anyone looking for a great comedy/action film, but a piece that has
a range of underlining messages and themes that can be explored once we step
into this wacky, unique, but still very human world.
When "The Dude" Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) is
mistaken for a millionaire Lebowski (David Huddleston), two thugs urinate on
his rug to coerce him into paying a debt he knows nothing about. While
attempting to gain recompense for the ruined rug from his wealthy counterpart,
he accepts a one-time job with high pay-off. Along the way he enlists the help
of his bowling buddy, Walter (John Goodman), a gun-toting Jewish-convert with
anger issues, who despite his often seemingly negative outlook and actions, still
remains a good friend. Deception leads to more trouble, and it soon seems that
everyone from porn empire tycoons to nihilists want something from The Dude.
It can be easy miss due to the seemingly fast pace and
urgency the story is pursued, but this film is largely about an attitude rather
than focusing on a narrative. All The Dude wants to do is go bowling with his
friends. Unlike many others around him, he does not want to seek the ‘American
dream’ as he is already living in it. He is content and happy with what he has
in his life, even when visits his rich and powerful namesake he does not go
looking for money, but just wants to replace his rug because it “tied the room
together”. He’s an unemployed layabout who he spends his days drinking and has
not motivation whatsoever to find a job - and we love him for it. Alongside his
best friends Walter and Donny (Steve Buscemi),
we meet many other colourful characters along the way, from rival bowler Jesus
(John Turturro), rich Lebowski’s trophy wife Bunny (Tara Reid) and his ‘arty’
daughter (Julianne Moore). It’s a classic Coen brothers cast, using typical
American stereotypes we have seen in hundreds of other films and gives them a
new lease of life; throwing them into this rollercoaster of a world that we,
the audience will be there to enjoy every turn and loop.
If there is one small criticism, it is that the focus on
character and dialogue can sometimes subtract from the plot, you may even get
the feeling that sometimes the story ‘gets in the way’ of the brilliant
conversations riddled throughout. That’s not to say nothing happens in the
story, it has kidnapping, ransom money, a porno king, a reclusive millionaire,
a runaway girl, the Malibu police, a woman who paints while nude and strapped
to an overhead harness, and a fight seen between an overweight Vietnam vet and
three bumbling gangsters. By those who re just looking for film like this, it
can still be watched as a basic humour filled flick, although it would seem
much weaker if ‘consumed’ in this way.
For those who are fans of the Coen Brothers (and if you
aren’t, you really should be, it’s a perfect, pure film,
full of the quips and
quirks we have to come to love to love from the two brothers, Joel and Ethan.
Even if this is your first dipping into this brilliantly mad style of film,
it’s still a beautifully shot, wonderfully scripted piece. To fully appreciate
the film, it may take more than one viewing, but do this and you’ll be able to
fully immerse yourself in one of the all-time greats.
Best Bit: The dialogue scenes between The Dude and Walter
can be anything from hilariously true to surprisingly motivating
Worst Bit: The story may seem weak compared to some other
films, as the characters take a central stage.
5/5
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