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| Image source: travelandleisure.com |
One of the most-loved films to come out of the 1990s is the crime comedy “The Big Lebowski.” Directed by the Coen brothers, the film stars Jeff Bridges as Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski, a slacker from L.A. who gets into a wild and surreal adventure after being mistaken for a millionaire of the same name.
Interestingly, the movie did horribly at the box office, receiving mixed reviews from critics and fans who didn’t know what to make of it. Over time, people started liking it more, especially for its uniquely depicted characters and witty, no-holds-barred dialogues. In fact, it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2014.
An interesting offshoot of the cult classic film is the rise of Dudeism, described quite conveniently as either a religion, philosophy, or lifestyle inspired by “the dude.” Followers describe Dudeism as a modern form of Chinese Taoism, but many consider it a mock religion for its use of tons of comedic references from the film. There’s even a day to commemorate “The Day of the Dude,” which is the 6th of March.
Whether one takes Dudeism seriously or not, it is nonetheless a powerful manifestation of how a popular movie can change a culture or lead to the forming of a quasi-culture. It speaks volumes of the enduring appeal of “The Big Lebowski.”
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| Image source: mentalfloss.com |
Those who laugh at the idea might want to remember that other Hollywood sagas like “Star Wars” or “Star Trek” have their own legions of devout fans who live fun and charmed lives based on over-the-top characters.
Hi there, Danny Crenshaw here, a 25-year-old student at University of Washington School of Law. I am a huge fan of movies from the ‘90s. For more reviews of classic flicks from the decade, visit this blog.
