Dudism, and the Pursuit of Dude

So last semester I was in the class "Leisure and Society", and we were assigned a group project where we needed to analyze a movie of our choice and how it related to recreation or leisure. It didn't take long for the group that I was in to choose The Big Lebowski. The movie just exudes leisure, especially through the life of the protagonist, The Dude, portrayed by Jeff Bridges. Initially we chose the movie just because they like to bowl a lot, but soon we discovered that the movie had a pretty interesting impact on the world since it's debut.

Normally when people say the worship a movie or a character in it, they are usually just joking around, but in the case of this movie, some wouldn't be lying. A religion, based on the lifestyle of The Dude, was founded and that religion is known as... Dudism. Sure at first it seems like a joke, but then you realize that some people are actually serious about this. They have books, had specials on Dateline, and offer up the chance to become an ordained Dudist priest (which is hilarious in it's own right).

Basically, Dudism is based on a modern form of Taoism, with it's main principle being to take it easy, man. A religion where everyone lounges around in a funemployed state and rolling with the punches is definitely an interesting idea, and one that more one person has gotten behind. In short, media can have impact in unusual and unexpected ways. I'm sure the Coen brothers had no idea that a religion would spawn from the movie, but such is life. In any case, Dudism was born, and I personally feel that it is a cool faith to follow or practice, but that's just, like, my opinion, man.

The Big Lebowski

A lazy hippie's favorite rug was urinated on, and from there, the story only gets weirder. That basically sets up one of my now favorite movies, "The Big Lebowski." I have seen the Coen Brothers' comedy twice before and after watching it a third time, I now am certain that it is one of my favorite movies.

The movie is about an aged hippie, Jeff Lebowski (Jeff Bridges of "Crazy Heart" and "True Grit") who prefers to be called the Dude, or "his Dudeness, Duder, or El Duderino if you are not into the brevity thing." Two men break into the Dude's house, looking for Jeff "The Big" Lebowski, demanding money from Bunny, the wife of the latter Lebowski, and pee on the Dude's rug. After this case of mixup, the Dude gets involved in the life of his rich, sophisticated counterpart. The Big Lebowski, who hates bums, pays the Dude to drop off the ransom for his kidnapped trophy wife, Bunny (Tara Reid from the "American Pie" films). Soon, he gets involved with nihilists, a feminist artist, a pornographer, a high school kid, all while going bowling with the veteran Walter, played phenomenally by John Goodman, and the naive, but nice Donny, the hilarious Steve Buscemi.

The Dude, probably one of the best comedic characters created in the last 20 years, a memorable protagonist, loves white russians, bowling, and relaxing, makes this movie a home run in my opinion. Walter and Donny are great sidekicks. Every character is quirky, giving the movie more life; Walter is jewish and observes Shomer Shabbas and doesn't bowl (or roll as he calls it) on Saturdays, and Jesus (a bowling rival played by John Turturro) talks in the third person and is a registered sex offender.

The movie is a complicated mystery, a modern comedic "Big Sleep," that is always engaging and fascinating. I have seen it three times now and each time I notice new things about the film. It is another classic in the Coen Brothers filmography.

And remember, The Dude abides.

These Interesting Times

Something that I always think about is that I'm so lucky to be alive during these very "interesting times" (the Chinese would consider this a curse). Sometimes I wonder what would I be doing if I lived during the Renaissance. Would I have approached Leonardo or Michelangelo? beg them to take me as an intern in their workshops? I probably would have. We take for granted that we share this particular time with some outstanding geniuses and then it happens that they are suddenly gone and you missed the opportunity to meet them, or talk and learn from them.

On the other hand, because I am talking about artists, writers, and in particular filmmakers (the ones I consider artists) we are lucky that they left a body of work which allows us to continue this dialog.

Sidney Lumet died last year at the age of 86. He is one of the directors that made an everlasting impression in my life and career. He made over 50 films of which many are masterpieces of American Cinema. The first one I saw in the early 60's was The Pawnbroker which left me stunned with its raw power and its fearless look into ills of society that were not the stuff of Hollywood movies, but then again, he was a New Yorker and his films were as unadorned as the City can be.

After that film I made sure I saw everyone of them. In just two years Fail Safe and The Hill came out. I was in film heaven, a very angry heaven!

Maybe you have seen Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, Prince of the City, The Verdict, or his last one, appropriately called, Before the Devil Knows you are Dead. He worked with some of the best and most important actors that any director could wish to work with, and got extraordinary realistic performances out of them.

He made history, and he lived during our time.