It has been argued that in postmodern times it is no longer possible to do anything original. Did you find examples of that in "The Big Lebowski?
Apart from that, a dominant feature of postmodernism is irony and a feeling of discomfort in the presence of big emotions. This often causes people to make fun of everything, including themselves, to hide their discomfort. Did you notice any examples of that in "The Big Lebowski"?
Moreover, many people are uncertain of their own identity and are struggling with the question of who they really are. Sometimes thay are unsure of the difference between copy and original. Did you notice any examples of that in "The Big Lebowski"?
Finally, you have extensive knowledge of the yuppie and Generation X. Is any of that knowledge relevant in connection with "The Big Lebowski"?
Moreover, many people are uncertain of their own identity and are struggling with the question of who they really are. Sometimes thay are unsure of the difference between copy and original. Did you notice any examples of that in "The Big Lebowski"?
Finally, you have extensive knowledge of the yuppie and Generation X. Is any of that knowledge relevant in connection with "The Big Lebowski"?
1. The cow-boy theme is a continuing theme in the story - which isn't very original. Otherwise it plays on many classical themes/set-ups. The whole set-up in regards to the abduction is so stereotypical with a hand-out and a classical abduction letter. They use the good-cop/bad cop set up in the interogation.
SvarSletThe way he talks about the homosexual friend of Mr. Lebowskis daughters friend (a friend of Maudes), is a rephrasing of the original saying a friend of Dorothy's, the young girl in the Wizard of Oz. The comparison between them both is that they're both liberal women who accept everybody despite their differences and weaknesses. Both phrases are used to refer to the homosexual enviroment.
The use of a flying scene over California is an oft-made scene.
Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield match and the ear-biting.
2. When his penis is threatened he chooses to personify it by saying "my Johnson" because of his discomfort with the situation, as a humorical tool.
The use of tumbleweed to illustrate the dudes identity. His lack of a sense of belonging, and the way he's just "drifting" along.
Jesus is a representation of the catholic church, and it's a funny criticism of the church as he's a convicted former child molester.
3. Walter is a man who is divided between 2 different personalites, the gun-tooting war veteran and the clever man.
I didn't notice.
4. The two Lebowski are illustrations of the contrast between the two movements!
Mr. Lebowski is a neo-liberalistic, Reagan supporting, capitalist who has no regard for the poor.
The dude is a representation of the generation X, who is also symbolised by a tumbleweed and bowling ball.
- Abdi forresten :)
Slet1 - No originality:
SvarSletOne thing i noticed in the movie ”The Big Lebowski”, was the fight scene in the ending of the movie. Where the three German guys says to ”The Dude” and his comrades that they want their one million dollars now! The reason why this specific scene belongs in the category ”no originality”, is because the whole scene reminds me of a war scene from the Vietnam war.
2 - Irony used:
Irony is used when a ”homosexual” version of Jesus plays bowling next to ”The Lebowski Crew”. In religion Jesus is portrayed as the very generous man, who helps everyone in pain, but in the movie Jesus is portrayed as a homosexual, demeaning and belittling person, which maybe should be interpreted, as ”god is dead”. The ”god-is-dead-principle is typical thing in the post modernism as well.
4 - Generation x/yuppie.
Of course I have. A person from the generation x era is often described as being lazy and doesn’t care about anything, which fits perfectly to our main character “the dude”. The yuppie in the movie is the real Lebowski. All he cares about is his money and his reputation. It’s very clear that the real lebowsi is as capitalist. Christian Bale from the movie American Psycho is a yuppie as well. He is concerned about the same things as the real lebowski.
No originality
SvarSletThe movie The big Lebowski shows us many examples of ‘no originality’.
At the beginning of the movie it is like we are introduced to a western movie simply because of the Tumbleweed cross the street and the western soundtrack. Later on there is a scene at Lebowskis home where they drown him in the toilet. This is also a scene that has been used before many times.
And finally there is the flying scene where he uses his rug to fly with exactly like Aladdin.
Irony:
Irony is also used a lot in The Big Lebowski.
The beginning of the movie it like the movie is build up ironic.
An example of this is the porn-scene where she only shows him the beginning of the movie and then turned it off and said: ‘’ You probably don’t know how it ends ‘’ And of course this was not literally said but ironically said – because of course he knows.
There are many quotes which irony are used.
Examples:
‘’ He's a nihilist.’’ (Ironi)
1.
SvarSlet- In the beginning there is western music.
- The Dude also quotes George Bush when he says: “I do mind. The Dude minds. This will not stand. This aggression will not stand, man.” Originally G. Bush said: "This will not stand. This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait."
- The sixties and the seventies is represented in the movie, and this is shown in the music, the bowling, the drugs, the porn producer and the car.
- When the purple man (Jesus) appears, Spanish music begins.
- Peter Pan and Aladdin is shown when The Dude is flying behind the magic carpet.
- An action movie is used to inspire the scene where they are on the parking lot, with the car on fire and the tight black clothes.
- When Walter bites of the German nihilist-man's ear, it is the same as when Mike Tyson bites of Evander Holyfield's ear.
2.
- When The Dude dreams, and Saddam Hussein gives him a bowling ball, the instructor is making fun of the situation at the time (1998).
- When Donny dies he lies in the arms of Walter, Walter makes fun of the situation (funny remark), and Donny lies as if he was shot – it was “just” a heart attack.
3.
- There are two "Jeffery Lebowski's", and people have trouble telling them apart.
- There are shown some standards of former times. Maude is a feminist who leads the life of an artist, and pays for her father´s life as well as for the education of the children.
- The Dude’s habit indicates that individuals are not only formed by earlier periods and events in their lives but are also influenced, manipulated, and copied every day.
4.
- Yuppie:
Jeffery Lebowski (not The Dude) wants to appear as a rich and cool man. This is probably why he wants a young hot wife. He actually doesn’t have any money, and wants to hide this.
Maude could also be an example of the yuppie-lifestyle. She is a young woman, and she is very broody. She wants a baby, but she is not looking for a father. She is a strong and independent woman, who is able to take care of a baby by herself.
Bunny could also be seen as an yuppie, because of all the fabulous cars, clothes and nailpolish.
- Generation X:
The Dude doesn’t care about his education and job. All he cares about is TV, his car and alcohol, which is very characteristic for the Generation X.
- Nanna Flasnes, 3.n
The big lebrowski:
SvarSletThe stranger has a voice-over narrator for the movie. This could refer to typical western movies.
The Dude burrows the sentence
” This aggression will not stand” which is a famous statement by president George Bush.
Irony:
We see Sadaam Hussein in the fantasy musical sequence.
Identity:
Mr. Lebowski is not a millionaire but in the movie his sister Maude owns the company and the money.
The big Lebowski seems as a yuppie. In the movie he sees himself as a man with an huge image, and he are socialites with well known people. He also says in the to the dude, that he should get a job, instead of being a lousy bum.
Walter seems to represent neo-conservatism that was a political movement in the 60’s.
The dude is an example of Gen X because of he is pretty careless of whats it’s going on around him, he dont work.
It has been argued that in postmodern times it is no longer possible to do anything original. Did you find examples of that in "The Big Lebowski? In the fighting scene where The Dude's friend Walter bites of the ear of the German people they are fight against. It is probably stolen from the boxing fight between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. Another example would be when The Dude was smoking a joint and he suddenly imagines himself flying behind "The magic carpet" from Aladdin. The way The Dude flies are "stolen" from Peter Pan.
SvarSletApart from that, a dominant feature of postmodernism is irony and a feeling of discomfort in the presence of big emotions. This often causes people to make fun of everything, including themselves, to hide their discomfort. Did you notice any examples of that in "The Big Lebowski"? It very ironic the way The Dude acts in the scene where Donny dies. It is like any action movie, where you hold the person in your arms. But Donny are not dead from a gunshot, he 'just' got a heart attack.
Moreover, many people are uncertain of their own identity and are struggling with the question of who they really are. Sometimes thay are unsure of the difference between copy and original. Did you notice any examples of that in "The Big Lebowski"?
Walter is a great example of a character struggling with his identity. He switches between being a Jew and being very strict about the holy day Shabbat and not caring at all about the religion. He holds on to his marriage, even though they divorced years ago. But also the real Lebowski is struggling with his identity, he tells The Dude that he is a millionaire, but in real life he has no money at all.
Finally, you have extensive knowledge of the yuppie and Generation X. Is any of that knowledge relevant in connection with "The Big Lebowski"? Maud is an example of the yuppie culture, she wants a baby and to be an independent woman. The old Lebowski could also be an example of the yuppie culture, he wants to appear like a rich old man, with a lot of rewards and achieved goals, but beneath the surface he has nothing and everything is just a facade.
Thomas:
SvarSletNo originality:
The beginning of the film is like a start from a western film. There are for example western music, a classic storytelling and the shrub that flies into the town.
The scene when the rich Lebowski sits in front of the fire place there are scary music and the camera is moving slowly around the chair so we finally can see his face. This is a famous scene and technique, which is used in many films.
All aspects about the whole kidnapping are seen in a lot of film. They talk over the phone, arranges the meeting, the money will have to be in a briefcase, there will be a handout a secret place outside of the town etc.
Irony:
The weird guy at the bowling center is called Jesus. It is of course irony to make fun of religion in our society. He is convicted in crimes with children and this made to fun of Catholicism and all these cases about how priest have exploited young boys.
In a scene Walter, the big guy, has to take care of a little dog. Here they make fun of Walter who is this very macho man, but he is actually not that hardcore.
All conversations in the film are characterized by confusion. Everything is chaos. The characters are often talking about something very serious but there are always one or two who have not listened at all or start to talk about something different. This supports the carelessness we see in the society.
Identity:
There are two lebowski and they are very different from each other. The film shows the contrasts between to different types of persons and also two different parts of the society. Two different identities. There is they guy who does not care about anything and only wants his rug back and there is the capitalist, the rich lebowski who only cares about money. But even though the kidnappers should be able to find the right lebowski they find the wrong one.
The dude´s apartment reflects his life. His apartment is messy and he has no control over his life.
You can also compare the dude to a bowling ball. There is again no control in his life. He is the bowling ball that people throw around with. And when the ball again is ready to be thrown, they throw around with him again without he is able to do anything about it.
Yuppie/Generation X:
The rich Lebowski is an example of an yuppie. He only cares about money and materialism and even though he seemed to miss and wanting to have his girl back, he actually only cared about the money.
The dude is an example from the generation X. He is not materialistic and does actually not care about anything that is going on around him (except his rug).
Thrane 3.N
SvarSlet1:
In the start of the film we get the impression of a western movie theme, with the old music playing and the typical storytelling of western film. Especially when we see the tumbleweed, which is a typical element which is used in those movies.
Another theme from “TBL” is the whole abduction/hand out scenes, which is used in many classic movies. The way the movie describes Bunny’s abduction is seen before, the purpose with the act is to get money from Lebowski. The hand-out is also an element which is used in many others movies. So we know where the instructor has got his inspiration from.
2:
In the bowling center Walter, Donny, and The Dude meets “Jesus” and whole conversation in with “Jesus” is a way to make fun of religion and Catholics-priests. The reason I mention this is because of the problematic that have been going on for several years about Catholics-priests who child molested young children. And “Jesus” from the bowling center is also convicted as a child molester.
3:
The tumbleweed and the bowling ball is a way to describe The Dudes identity, because they’re not settled just like The Dudes identity. His apartment is also an indication of the dudes identity, because he don’t give a f**k about anything going on in his life… just is rug.
4:
The two Lebowski’s is the complete opposites of each other, The Dude is from the generation X and the other Lebowski is a capitalist and a Yuppi.
Examples in “The Big Lebowski” of “no originality”. They mention a lot of times the sentence “have it your way”. That is Burger King’s slogan. Also, we see that the Dudes best friend bites of one of the bad guys ear, and that is a reference to Mike Tyson who bites Holyfield’s ear in a fight. We see him flying like Peter Pan, and also we see a person sitting on a carpet and flying like Aladdin.
SvarSletThere is two Mr. Lebowski in the film, and the first one is the rich Mr. Lebowski, who is born in the baby boomer period, and the other Lebowski, Dude, is born after the generation X, and love to live the nihilistic life. He do not care about anything, and he does not have a job.
No originality; The tumbleweed we see in the beginning of the film is very used. We know it from cartoons, and western-movies.
SvarSletThe magic carpet is also represented – we know the carpet from Aladdin.
There is a lot of irony in the movie. I almost feel temped to say that everything is ironic. A woman has been kidnapped, and no one seems to really bother. Nothing is taking seriously. All “the dude” is serious about is his rug.
Bunny could be seen as a yuppie. She loves fashion, nice cars, and she really cares about her appearance.
K. Smitt
No originality:
SvarSletIn the beginning of the movie, a tumbleweed is rolling through a western scene and then through the city of L.A. that is something we have seen in a lot of cartoons and western movies before.
In a dream, Dude is flying over the city, and he sees Aladdin on his magic carpet. They have taken that from the movie Aladdin, so that is also not original.
Lebowski is sitting in front of the fireplace and dramatic music is playing. The scene is not original because it would typically be in any kind of detective film, with the villain sitting in front of the fireplace trying to be dramatic.
When Lebowski shows a letter he got about Bunny, and the note is made of letters from a magazine, that is also seen before.
Irony:
The main character is calling himself The Dude, that in it self is ironic because is it very difficult to respect anyone who call them self The Dude.
In the beginning of the movie two men come to get their money, one of them picks up The Dudes bowling ball and says “what is this” and the dude says “you clearly don’t play golf” which is very ironic, and just a fun comeback.
The other guy pees on the Dudes rough, and that is ironic because it is something a child would do.
A lot of the people in the movie are laughing uncomfortably because they are trying to avoid emotions and so on.
At the bowling hall there is a person who calls himself Jesus, he is Latino and has a huge personality, and he is very ironic. They are making fun of religious people.
The dude gets poisoned and has a wired dream, and the dream is making fun of bowling and other things.
The dude is putting on nail polish, which does not fit his personality, and that makes it ironic.
The dude is arguing with Walther over the phone and he says “leave me the fuck alone, yeah I’ll be at practice” he is made at Walther, and he is giving empty threats.
The dude says “man” a lot, that shows how unserious he is.
When Donny dies they won’t pay for a urn for him.
Identity:
Who is the real Lebowski?
The dude is trying to he e hero, but that is just not in his nature.
The yuppie of this movie is bunny, she wants money and she wants to look good. she is just the concept go being yuppie.
generation X is represented by the dude, he is lazy and he is okay with it because he know you can be more but he doesn't want to.
In the beginning of the movie a tumbleweed roles by, and you see that so often in many western movies, so this belongs to no originality. The main character’s name is Jeffrey Lebowski, but that is not what he is called. People call him “The dude” and that is all he wants to be called and I find that very ironic. That also shows us how unserious the main character is.
SvarSletSomewhere in the movie, “the dude” is sitting on the magic carpet and that also belongs to no originality because of the fact that it is from Aladdin. The whole movie is just so ironic. The music they play, the way they speak to each other. All he really truly cares about is his rug that is also very ironic.
Cathrine, 3n
It has been argued that in postmodern times it is no longer possible to do anything original. Did you find examples of that in "The Big Lebowski?:
SvarSlet- The scene with the magic carpet (probably from Disney's Aladdin) is an example of no originality.
- In the beginning we follow tumbleweed, which is known from the western movies.
- The rich Mr. Labowski is sitting in front of the fireplace. Everything is very dramatic, also the music. Typically this is something you would see in a thriller, where the felon is being dramatic.
Apart from that, a dominant feature of postmodernism is irony and a feeling of discomfort in the presence of big emotions. This often causes people to make fun of everything, including themselves, to hide their discomfort. Did you notice any examples of that in "The Big Lebowski"?
- First of all the main character is called 'Dude' – a name without identity. He is trying to seen as a 'badass'. Also it is hart to respect someone who calls himself dude.
- I am tempted to say that everything is ironic - one big joke. The story is about a girl who has been kidnapped, but the only thing dude is interested in is his rug.
- Walter Sobchak: "That rug really tied the room together, did it not? The Dude: Fuckin' A." Again, it is ironic that the rug has so much value for the dude.
Moreover, many people are uncertain of their own identity and are struggling with the question of who they really are. Sometimes they are unsure of the difference between copy and original. Did you notice any examples of that in "The Big Lebowski"?
- The rich Labowski is trying to appear as this rich person, who has a lot of power. In fact he doesn’t have any money.
- Dude disclaims any identity he might have. Says that he's NOT Labowski, and that his name is dude when he is attacked in the beginning.
Finally, you have extensive knowledge of the yuppie and Generation X. Is any of that knowledge relevant in connection with "The Big Lebowski"?
- Bunny represents the yuppies. She is this young girl who likes money. She is very materialistic.
- The dude represents the generation X. He does not care about money and materialism, except for his rug.
A tumbleweed appears in the first scene with a western soundtrack, which shows the western genre. The Dude smokes weed and gets high, he imagines he flies behind Alladin on his magic carpet.
SvarSletAnother "no-originality" scene is the fighting scene, where Walter fights with one of the nihilists and bites his ear of - Mike Tyson bit the ear of his opponent.
Irony appears in the fighting scene. Donny dies of a heart attack, he is lying in the arms of Walter, just like in every other fighting scene where a soldier is shut down.
When the guys realizes that the money is gone, where are sitting in the Dudes car with a bad mood, very angry and frustuated, but they are listening to happy Santana music.
The old Mr. Lebowski has a reputation for being a rich man with lots of money - he lives in a big house, with a young wife. You get a feeling that Mr. Lebowski is the breadwinner, but it is the young wife who has money.
The Dude is a Generation X'er. "I'm not mr. Lebowski - i'm the Dude man"
Mai
1. In the Big Lebowski there are many examples of how postmodern movies, isn't original in any way. One example of this, is how the main characters best friends, bite of another persons ear in a fight. Just like Mike Tyson When Walter bites of the bad guys ear during a fight - Mike Tyson bit of Evander Holyfields ear during a boxing match. When somebody is flying on his carpet, it reminds me of Alladin and his flying carpet.
SvarSletIn the movie the slogan "Have it your way" is used it is Burger king's slogan. The whole movie reminds me of a bad detective movie, the clues which leads to nothing in the movie.
2.
3-4 There are two Lebowski's, the rich and the poor one. The rich is born in the baby boomer period. The poor doesn't want to be called Lebowski, he wants to be called the dude or the dude master, he is born in the generation X where they are lazy and don't really care.
Hilsen Ditte