"A Serious Man" is what got me hooked on the Coen brothers. It was well crafted and impeccably observant. And totally oblivious to box-office expectations. "Fargo," for all its violence, reeked of intelligence and style. "The Big Lebowski," despite a host of unlikable characters, is a mixed bag of lowbrow humor executed with a high degree of sophistication. The flights of fancy are worthy of Ken Russell; in fact, the musical production number looks as if it's been lifted from Russell's "The Boy Friend." Jeff Bridges' excellent performance keeps things grounded. There's a tad too much of John Goodman and not enough Steve Buscemi. Julianne Moore delivers a highly amusing touch. The whole thing is raunchy escapism, which may not be for everyone, but is a fine addition to the Coen brothers' unique filmography.
Review of The Big Lebowski
