Polished Performances
• Actor: Jeff Bridges
• Character: The Dude
• Film: The Big Lebowski
Jeff Bridges is a hugely respected actor that has no less than 6 Oscar nominations to his name – with one win for his turn in Crazy Heart in 2010. It should be noted that all of these nominations came from dramatic roles and that he’s actually hugely under appreciated in his ability to do comedy. Leave it then to the Coen brothers to tap into that comedic gift and provide him with his most hilarious (and now most iconic) role as Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski in their 1998 cult classic The Big Lebowski.
There’s a lot of facets to The Dude, man. “A lot of ins, a lot of outs”. To put it simply, though, he’s a lazy, grass smoking hippie who’s partial to drinking White Russians, going bowling and having the occasional acid flashback. The Dude likes to take life easy for all us sinners but when his house is broken into by a couple of thugs who stick his head in a toilet bowl, demand money from him and then proceed to piss on his rug (which “really tied the room together”) it sets forth a chain of complex events.
The Dude is not an unintelligent man but he most certainly lives a simple life under the constant influence of cannabis which can make him seem aloof and a bit slow on the catch-up. It’s this absent mindedness that Bridges captures to absolute perfection.
Throughout the film, it can be easy to be swayed by the louder and more flamboyant and colourful side characters but when all is said and done, it’s Bridges that’s the films essential core. He’s required to convince you that he’s not fully comprehending the narrative events. When you look at Bridges – and consider the complexities of the plot – every pause, every stammer and every perplexed look is a masterclass of comedic subtlety and you can genuinely empathise with his bewilderment. This is a character that will greatly appeal to those that understand the joys of cannabis and Bridges’ performance couldn’t be more in tune as to the effects of the drug.
Apparently the role was written with Jeff Bridges in mind and it’s absolutely perfect casting. With the help of the Coens’ sublime writing, Bridges concocts a cinematic icon and despite being such a diverse actor, it’s the role he has now become most synonymous with. He immediately identified with the character, so much so, that he questioned whether the Coens had actually followed him around high school. He let himself go physically, to achieve the layabout look, and would wear his own clothes throughout the film.
Bridges has been so effective in the role that The Dude has become a bit of a worldwide phenomenon. The film has spawned a festival known as Lebowski Fest which is held every year and the character has birthed a religion, known as Dudeism, which is largely devoted to spreading the philosophy and lifestyle of the film’s main character. It was founded in 2005 and is also known as The Church of the Latter-Day Dude, an organisation that has ordained over 350,000 “Dudeist Priests” all over the world via its website.
If that’s not enough, in 2006, two species of African spider were named after the film and character: Anelosimus biglebowski and Anelosimus dude.
Few characters have ever had as much of an impact in popular culture and that’s the beauty and complexity of The Big Lebowski. It isn’t really about plot. It’s about character and that character is predominantly The Dude. And Jeff Bridges is the embodiment of that casualness that runs deep.
Oscars? – Absolutely nothing. Neither the film nor any of the actors were even sniffed at come Oscar time. Maybe it’s because it came off the back of the Coens’ Oscar winning Fargo or maybe it’s because The Big Lebowski was ahead of its time and the Academy didn’t quite know what hit them. They are known for failing to recognise comedy. Either way, time has proven that Bridges has rarely been better and his work here deserved at least a nomination.
(For more Polished Performances head over here)
October 17, 2016 at 5:57 pm
Fuckin’ they’ve named spiders after the dude and the movie? Ahaha!!! That’s amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 17, 2016 at 6:10 pm
I know, man. It’s crazy, but I fuckin’ love it. Who doesn’t love The Dude?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 17, 2016 at 7:39 pm
I don’t want to know those people who don’t!;) But seriously, great post. I was wondering when this role might pop up. You just have to include it
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 17, 2016 at 7:42 pm
I hear you, man! The Dude is one of the all time great characters and Bridges absolutely nails it. There are so many characters to choose from The Big Lebowski but The Dude had to get the first shout! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 18, 2016 at 7:41 pm
Da Jesus would be a great next choice! God I love John Turturro in that movie
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 18, 2016 at 9:03 pm
I had a long hard think of whether to choose The Dude or Jesus, mate. In the end, I went with the central character but Jesus will definitely feature one day. Turturro is just sublime.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 17, 2016 at 8:56 pm
Solid post Mark and I agree with just about every word you’ve written here. While a lot of credit should go to the Coens’ writing, I don’t think any other actor could have pulled off the Dude quite like Bridges.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 18, 2016 at 9:00 pm
Thanks mate. Totally agree on the Coens’ writing. Apparently there was no room for improvisation. All that we hear was written word for word. That said, Bridges is still in full command of the dialogue. It’s a marvellous performance and genuinely very, very funny.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 18, 2016 at 9:24 pm
It is a great performance for sure. In fact, pretty much all the performances in Lebowski are perfect, especially John Goodman’s role as Walter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 19, 2016 at 9:57 am
Not a bad performance in the entire film. The side characters are also superb; Hoffman, Jon Polito, Ben Gazzara, Sam Elliot. Too many to choose from.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 17, 2016 at 10:13 pm
One of my favourites. His favourite too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 18, 2016 at 9:02 pm
It is still my all time favourite film, Jay. No film has came close to toppling it from my #1 spot.
LikeLike
October 24, 2016 at 9:29 am
What a performance! Jeff Bridges rocks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 17, 2016 at 11:48 am
Indeed Vinnie. Bridges is always reliable and The Dude is one of his best.
Sorry for the late reply, man. Blog took a back seat for while.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 17, 2016 at 2:09 pm
Bridges is the man. And never apologise for taking a break.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 17, 2016 at 2:19 pm
Bridges is indeed the man. “The man, for his time and place” 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 17, 2016 at 4:09 pm
I could watch him in just about anything.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 17, 2016 at 10:10 pm
Same! Bridges always delivers quality. He has that presence onscreen that makes him feels more authentic and less like a Hollywood star.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 17, 2016 at 10:11 pm
Authenticity is the key. The air of naturalness always inhabits his performances.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 17, 2016 at 10:16 pm
I think that’s why he never really became a big draw in Hollywood. He’s always been respected but not classed in the same league as a Tom Cruise or even quite reached the same level of his contemporaries like DeNiro or Pacino. He’s known for quality but hasn’t really been pigeonholed, you know?
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 17, 2016 at 10:18 pm
I always get a down to Earth feeling from Bridges. A real ease to him, he can be both hilarious and very serious with effortless ability.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 17, 2016 at 10:23 pm
Couldn’t have put it better myself, Vinnie. That’s what makes him quite a unique performer. Tom Hanks has similar qualities. There’s not many like it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 17, 2016 at 10:29 pm
It’s the Everyman quality, you can take both seriously as an average guy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 23, 2016 at 1:32 am
That’s what Bridges is all about, man. That’s what makes him great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 23, 2016 at 8:23 am
In other words, Bridges rocks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 23, 2016 at 6:22 pm
That he does, my friend! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 23, 2016 at 6:26 pm
It seems only right because he is The Dude!
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 8, 2016 at 5:52 am
Man, Bridges was perfect in this! Great pick, and great assessment Mark.
Spiders have been named after him?! WOW!
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 17, 2016 at 11:58 am
Ha! Yeah, spiders have been named after The Dude. How bizarre, right?
Still, great film and great performance. Bridges really nails the character. Endless joy. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person