Oh, "The Big Lebowski". I saw a fledgling college student dressed up as The Dude for Halloween and shuddered at how much his infantile countenance contrasted with his forcedly lax look inspired by Bridges' brilliance. I could tell his intentions were ill-willed when he looked at me confusedly as I said the rug really tied the room together. It made me realize that there are different contingents of Lebowski lovers out there: the Challenge doers, who get together every now and then, as in every couple of years, to drink a White Russian every time The Dude drinks one and then forget (understandably) what the movie is about until the next time a friend mentions the film; and then there are the true fans, fans who share in the indescribable faith that baffles epistemology. The second contingent consists of thinkers that wrote essays for the book, “The Year’s Work in Lebowski Studies,” an essay collection edited by Edward P. Comentale and Aaron Jaffe (Indiana University Press, $24.95). Check out the Times review here.
That first contingent are the people who really need to read this book to start cultivating their innate comprehension of the Cohen Brothers' cult film. That "Dude" is basically someone who needs to first, see the movies several more times, and second, read this book.
I'm looking forward to picking up a copy tomorrow myself. Perhaps I'll start bowling and recognizing Shomer shabbos while I'm at it.
Marmots.
Nihilism.
Genius.
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