10. The Big Lebowski - Masculinity In The 90s
Time for a change of pace. The Big Lebowski is about as far off from The Lord of the Rings as one can possibly get but that doesn't mean it lacks any interesting symbolism. All of the characters in the film act like they're in different movies. This can create a jarring effect that makes the movie feel unlike anything ever made. Some people, myself included, love the way it is so over the top. Then there are other people who see it as a stupid film with little to no redeeming value. Well, I can tell you right now that just based on the symbolism alone it has a great deal of value. All of the male characters are grossly incompetent, while the female characters drive the story. Bunny's escape from the elder Lebowski even sets the story in motion to begin with. All of the men in the movie are flawed in some way that relates to being oppressed by women or just being grossly inadequate. Take Walter for example. He seems to be the most manly of the bunch but he is actually the weakest. He tries to appear macho but is, in actuality, very insecure. This is evidenced in the scene where the Dude berates him for taking care of his former wife's dog. Walter's ex has clearly moved on leaving him to piece together his masculinity. He even pretends to be Jewish because she had him convert when they married. The elder Lebowski wants to assert dominance over his surroundings but is unable to since he is literally crippled and a pawn to his own trophy wife, Bunny. Donny is the weakest character of the bunch. He is ignored the entire film only to die of a heart attack in a fight that he didn't even participate in. As for the nihilists, they are the most incompetent of all. The female nihilist, played by singer/songwriter Aimee Mann, has her toe willingly cut off. She is the toughest of the four and is the only one who isn't pretending to be something she isn't. While Bunny and the female nihilist are more dominant than the male characters, Maude Lebowski is the most powerful character in The Big Lebowski. She privately finances her father and easily tricks the Dude into helping her conceive a child. All of the plot strands can be woven back to her in some way and without her interference the Dude would never have any clue what to do. She is like the silent architect orchestrating the entire story. For a thought provoking comparison of masculine views in the late 90s The Big Lebowski and Fight Club are the quintessential films to watch. Whereas Fight Club's themes of masculinity are prominent The Big Lebowski's are much more subtle even if they are in a film that resists all other forms of subtly.