Why are you a fan of The Big Lebowski?

[UoPAdamSmith]

Hi, i'm currently writing an essay on the cult following towards The Big Lebowski. The purpose is to get a feel for the kinds of topics fans discuss and in doing so developing an awareness for how the Lebowski community operates. From my own experience, the increased cult following is not just down to the ease and pleasure of re-watching and reciting the infamous dialogue, but the whole virtual world the film and respectively the fans have created.

Although i may have answered it to an extent, any discussions are welcome.
I simply would like to know:
Why do you enjoy the film so much?

How has a single film and it's fandom lasted almost 20 years after its release?

And generally, what makes this film a cult classic?

[BikerDude]

I like it because it's a funny movie.
I think the term cult classic is over used.
A lot of films have lasting appeal.
Granted no others I'm aware of have spawned a faux religion.
But as far as the movie goes, I'd say it's a good and unique comedy.
And a lot has to do with the wonderful performance of Jeff Bridges.
He created an iconic character in the Dude.
The screenplay is wonderful also of course.
Very quotable.

The other stuff I'd say is not so much a function of the movie as it is the community it's self. Other movies could have the same sort of following but nobody takes up the standard and continues the march.
Why?
I guess there are a lot of Dudes or Dudelike people out there.

[Brother D]

I think there is something in it we can all relate to on some level, for some, it's the dudes laid back attitude to life, others, Walters short fuse over trivial matters, or bowling, getting stoned etc.

Though it has a meaning down there somewhere, quotable dialogue, iconic characters and so on, for a certain demographic of (now mostly) middle aged stoners, its absurd plot, kinda makes sense.

That and having to watch it more than once to "get" it may have some bearing on its longevity in modern culture.

I just think it's a great movie!

[jgiffin]

Cult? No one is offering anyone Kool-Aid here, man!

As to the movie, well, it's genius. Take, for just one example, the scene in which Woo micturates upon the Dude's rug. Woo, while urinating upon said rug, proclaims "Ever thus to deadbeats, Lebowski." This is phenomenal. It echos the phrase Boothe uttered upon assassinating Lincoln, "Sic semper tyrannis." Boothe's proclamation was essentially latin for "Death to tyrants." The juxtaposition of deadbeats and tyrants sets the stage quite nicely. The movie rewards attention, repeated viewing, and wide, perhaps discrepant, learning. Each time I watch it, I pick up additional jokes, allusions, symbolism (real or imagined), contrasts, and your assorted, motley, references.

Someone, if they haven't already, really should make TBL the subject of a dissertation.

[BikerDude]

Cult? No one is offering anyone Kool-Aid here, man!

As to the movie, well, it's genius. Take, for just one example, the scene in which Woo micturates upon the Dude's rug. Woo, while urinating upon said rug, proclaims "Ever thus to deadbeats, Lebowski." This is phenomenal. It echos the phrase Boothe uttered upon assassinating Lincoln, "Sic semper tyrannis." Boothe's proclamation was essentially latin for "Death to tyrants." The juxtaposition of deadbeats and tyrants sets the stage quite nicely. The movie rewards attention, repeated viewing, and wide, perhaps discrepant, learning. Each time I watch it, I pick up additional jokes, allusions, symbolism (real or imagined), contrasts, and your assorted, motley, references.

Someone, if they haven't already, really should make TBL the subject of a dissertation.

Actually Latin for "thus always to tyrants" but I had not noticed the connection. That is genius.

[Hominid]

It's become a victim of its own popularity.  The same popularity of anything that is "pop culture".  When cult classics come to be, they are the result of a lot of people with too much time on their hands, and need a distraction. "Oh, let's go make this a "thing"."  Mental masturbation. It's a first-world phenomena that is a fun distraction for all the participants.

Then there's the people that make a religion out of it.  A mock religion.  (Don't flame me here).  One doesn't need a Coen brother's movie to get all Zen'n shit.

Sure makes for a great community though.  A fav of mine...  So, there's REALLY something to it.

[UoPAdamSmith]

Thanks for you all for your interesting replies! I agree with the majority of your comments, it is clear that it's popularity comes from many different aspects.

I think a lot of people clearly find comfort in this narrative and the Dude too, because much like life there is no climax or happy ending; especially when you think about the films real duration over a period of a week or so. For the dude it is a just a small chapter in his life and a very memorable one, but life goes on. I think this film, along with many other Coens' films, shows that a definitive resolution is not always needed, probably because us, the cinema audience have become too reliant and expect stories to always be tied up nicely. This film is like a journey and i think its absurdity reflects real life that a lot of people have recognized and appreciate.

Just to clarify by 'cult', i mean a film that is adopted as being cult, i.e. it is the fans participation and consumption that have classified the text to be of cultural significance. Hopefully that makes sense!