The amount of laughter heard today during the first half of the movie didn't sound familiar. I haven't heard that kind of reaction much from the films we've watched so far. So, what's up? Is The Big Lebowski a film noir? What elements can you align with what we've seen so far? Think about characters, setting, atmosphere, plot, action....
This is it. The last blog of the term. We'll finish the film tomorrow and give it some thought in class, and then you'll get the topic to prepare for Thursday. Bring your notes and preparatory material to class. You'll have the full period on Thursday to compose your response to the topic. Please type the essay (bring along some device to class on Thursday).
I am not really sure if this is film noir. Based what we have seen in the previous films. Previously there was darkness to the point where nothing could be seen, but in this film the scenes aren't as dark. Even in blade runner and body heat there was fog and rain to darken the screen and promote sadness. In the other movies there was also more dark concepts like planning murder and adultery. The big lebowksi has gang activity but the directors seem to make light of it. For example the dude's reaction to the severed toe is funny. So far this movie doesn't seem like it would be a film noir, but it seems like it would be a dark version of dumb and dumber. However I do think it will get deeper and become more film noir- like.
ReplyDeleteThis movie is very different from the Noir films that we have seen. One thing that connects The Big Lebowski to noir film is the plot and underlying theme: a girl, possibly our femme fatale, a guy, living in a very low- class simple home, and a crime. One thing that is different is the other Lebowski's, not the "Dude" daughter and her strong opinions on feminism and has a lot of power. Also, unlike the previous noir films, the language choice is very different and a little bit less "proper". Another thing is how obscene some scenes are, for example, when a gun is pulled over some guy putting his toe over the line during a bowling game. Personally I can only see the noir aspects within a very simplified plot.
ReplyDeleteThe only noir element I have noticed so far in The Big Lebowski is the constant smoking. This movie is light both visually and in terms of mood. This film lacks the shadowy atmosphere present in the other noir films (with the exception of Body Heat which was very light at times). Unlike the other films we have watched, The Big Lebowski is a comedy with a dark plot. The comedic aspects of the movie lighten the plot. Also, unlike the previous films in which the main characters were private investigators, lawyers, etc., the main character in this film is unemployed, which contributes to the movie as a comedy. Something that is similar to the other films is the setting. I don't know if it's enough to classify this movie as noir, but it is based in Los Angeles, which is a quite popular setting for the other noir films we have watched. Nevertheless, I don't feel that this movie is necessarily noir.
ReplyDeleteAlthough The Big Lebowski looks and feels much different than past film noir’s we’ve seen, I do think there are certain elements of the film that are (somewhat) similar. Overall, Lebowsi presents himself as not a very intelligent guy, and almost sloppy in his appearance. In past Noir films we’ve seen, some of the characters haven’t been the most intelligent people. However, at least in past Noir films, the main characters haven’t been sloppy looking who goes bowling every night. In this film, Lebowski has gotten himself in a situation concerning a guy. This situation is getting him into a lot of conflicts and this is a past theme that has appeared in other Noir films. I wouldn’t say that this film is “dark” like some of the other films we’ve watched. This film looks and feels much lighter, even considering the humor presented. Overall, I wouldn’t put this film under the “Noir” genre.
ReplyDeleteThe Big Lebowski seems to be a parody of a film noir exaggerated for comic effect. Dude somewhat fits the Roberts and Charlie/Eduard profile of a man with originally peaceful intentions whose circumstances drive him to crazy and ethically iffy actions. Bunny and Maude could both be femme fatales, although Maude has cited a selfless motive for her actions thus far: getting money back to the foundation for college scholarships. The plentiful and sometimes incompetent thugs are another repeated element. The setting portraying both the fabulously wealthy and the underworld parts of LA is also something we've seen in other film noirs. Like many of the other films, this has a convoluted plot involving many deceitful characters with conflicting interests. The atmosphere seems lighter, more casual, and more self-mocking than most of the other films we've seen.
ReplyDeleteCertainly, outwardly, it is nothing like what we’ve seen heretofore: it is light in mood and setting; the characters are active, and while some believe strongly in a certain outcome, it’s the result of confidence, not fatalism; and the girl set up to be the femme fatale is not even present (though, should Walter prove correct in his belief that Bunny kidnapped herself, she could lure them in and reclaim the archetypal role). At a loss, I looked up “film noir characteristics” on google, and one stuck out to me: the “conflicted anti-hero.” This, I believe, is the factor that ties The Big Lebowski in with the noir genre: the Dude, like the insurance salesmen and failed lawyers before him, is out of his element; unlike previous protagonists, I don’t think he’s joined the chase out of boredom (his idea of fun is a night of bowling followed by a nap on his floor), or even out of greed (the money is of interest to him, but not the motivating factor). The Dude gets involved because he wants a new rug. A rug. Granted, he commits to the case for moral reasons--”her life is in his hands,” and all that. But let’s focus on the rug for a moment, because SERIOUSLY? Not a girl--screw romance and passion--he wants a rug to complete his living room and himself. I think the rug is the real femme fatale here.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Lebowski (Dude) is the most interesting and lovable noir protagonist of the term: he is unemployed, and seemingly satisfied that way, but quick-witted (as we see through his sense of humor); he has a definite moral compass; he is content when we meet him, but for the rug incident. He is imperfect. All the protagonists have been to some extent, with flaws in their plans or characters, but they have tried to conceal those gaps behind the “hard-boiled,” astute, calm and confident exterior; the Dude is comfortable in his skin, so his reactions are authentic, and thus connect the viewer to his character.
Theres no debating, that this movie is different from the others we have watched. There is much more of the element of humor and no one has been shot...yet. There is no character so far that I really identify as the femme fatale except for possibly Bonnie but we haven’t see enough of her to know. The setting is the same, Los Angeles, only this movie is much more recent.
ReplyDeleteIf it is a film noir, The Big Lebowski is certainly an unconventional one. Had it not been part of this class, the thought would not have crossed my mind - however, that being said, I do see certain characteristics common in these films. There's at least one, possibly two women that could be called femme fatals - Maude, and Bunny. The two women own their sexual side, and the artist seemed more than willing to take complete control when Dude came bemusedly strolling into her house. Crime is a prominent feature - specifically murder(or, the threat of), and intricate crime rings in the background. Fate perhaps played a role - but mainly it was just the fact that both Dude and Mr. Lebowski had the same name, involving Dude in the first place.
ReplyDeleteMost film noir are not only literally dark compared to this sunlit, bowler-filled city, but the characters are dark; melancholic, stoic and cunning and relentless - and yet, here we have Dude. Dude is calm, slow, not remarkably bright or clever or driven to accomplish anything: he has a vague inclination to do something about his ruined rug, but only after his companion gets him worked up. He is not at all the protagonist that we have become so familiar with - he's unemployed, uninterested, and well meaning but ultimately dependent on the will and opinions of others to guide his course.
When they attempt to complete the hand off, and the criminals bike away after shooting at the car, any of our other characters would have angrily driven after them, or gone home to mull over their next move - but Dude just goes back to bowling, mourning the loss of a woman he never met. Whereas the women in other movies talk very little of sex when you consider how much of the actual act comes into play, Maude has spoken openly of it and has none of the sensual demeanor of Matty or Phyllis. Neff and Ned's friends were very intent on their physical and moral well being - a sensitivity that Dude's bowling buddies have yet to show.
It could be considered a noir because of the elements, but it is unique from the others in a way that makes it a bit difficult to compare accurately.
As one can tell right away, The Big Lebowski is very different from the rest of the movies. The other movies had darkness, murder, mystery, and a lot of smoking. The Big Lebowski is different. It has comedy, satire, lighting and no murder at all. Even the bad guys are not taken seriously at all. The upper-class has no elegant aspects, and the main protagonist is a dead beat who likes to bowl a lot. It seems so weird that this is supposed to be a film noir, but one thing that all the movies we have watched have and especially in this movie, is fate. Fate plays a big role in this. The whole plot to the story is revolved around fate. What are the probabilities that The Dude has the same first and last name of a millionaire. The whole movie gets out of control because of thing, fate.
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