The Big Lebowski's The Dude (a.k.a Jeff Lebowski, His Dudeness, Duder, El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing) takes the reluctant hero element inherent in the Private Eye story and spins it to a whole new level: "All The Dude ever wanted was his rug back (it really tied the room together)." What transpires is an absurdist concoction of ransom, lost homework, and acid flashbacks. The role is played to perfection by Jeff Bridges, who used a lot of his own wardrobe on the film. Bridges' performance brings a lot of humanity and authenticity to a character that could have been a one-note stoner joke (maybe not in the hands of the Coen Brothers, though). A true testament to the character, The Dude has gone on to inspire an entire "religion" of Dudeists who live to abide.
While studying English and Philosophy at Rutgers University, Andrew worked as a constant contributor to the The Rutgers Review. After graduating in 2010, he began working as a free-lance writer and editor, providing his input to numerous areas including reviews for the New York Film Series, The Express-Times, and private script and story consulting. He is currently the Director of Film Studies at The Morris County Arts Workshop in New Jersey and publishes essays on the subject of film and television at his blog, The Zoetrope.
