Customer Reviews

I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski: Life, The Big Lebowski, and What Have You

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I picked up a copy of I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski after seeing it mentioned in a magazine. I do consider myself a fan of The Big Lebowski, having seen it over a dozen times, but I was heretofore uninitiated in the ways of Lebowski Fest, the religion of Dudeism, and the legions of Achievers (fans) around the world. Consider me a convert!

The prerequisite for reading I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski is several viewings of The Big Lebowski, a white Russian or some herbal refreshment, and perhaps a cadre of like-minded comrades who don't roll on Shabbos and can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon...with nail polish. The authors expertly combine the laid-back slacker ethos of the Dude with a thoroughly academic look at the cult film. You can play Lebowski Mad Libs, read ridiculous television censorship of key movie lines, and learn how to Dude-ify your car and live by the Dude-updated version of Deuteronomy. Allusions to the Zen nature of the Dude abound throughout the text.

The book is christened by the Dude himself, Jeff Bridges, in an introduction discussing his role in the film and relationship with the Coen brothers. Bridges writes that he is frequently asked if he is surprised by the cult following of The Big Lebowski. His response is that he was surprised it wasn't a bigger hit, following the critical reception of the Coen brothers' Fargo.

Nearly every other actor, from Julianne Moore (Maude Lebowski) to John Goodman (Walter) to the Ralph's Checkout Girl, is also interviewed. The authors even tracked down the real-life personalities who inspired the characters of the Dude and Walter. The Coen brothers do not comment on the film, offering instead a cryptic, ""You have neither our blessing nor our curse." The actors, however, all describe the Coen creative process in detail.

All the Dude ever wanted was to get his rug back. With my copy of I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski's guide to the set locations, all I want to do is embark on a pilgrimage around Los Angeles. With some Credence on the tape deck.

If you're like a child who wanders into the middle of a movie and wants to know what's going on and that movie happens to be The Big Lebowski, then grab this book, pour yourself a white Russian, throw a thick blanket across your legs and sit by the fire. But if you haven't seen the movie and have no idea what an achiever is, then you are out of your element. You'll need to take at least 3 doses of TBL and let that sink in. Then this book will be transformed into gospel.

I don't consider myself an achiever (similar to a trekkie, only drunker and more hip) I've only seen the movie 7 or 8 times. But I've seen enough to quote it constantly. Telling my wife that her "aggression will not stand, man," and yelling at my dog to "shut the ---- up, Donny" (even though her name is Sassy and she hardly ever barks), has made the movie a part of my personal history. It's not a movie you watch. It's one you absorb.

It was my ascending achiever status that scored me an advanced reader's copy. Someone told me to "Shut the ---- up, Donny!" and I simply pointed out that he was out of his element and the book appeared. Like sacred parchment shared secretly between disciples.

And that's the entire spirit of this book. Written by the people who started LebowskiFest after they found themselves trading lines of dialogue and laughs with complete strangers. This book goes deep into the movie with interviews of the cast, fellow achievers and even the actual people who inspired the characters. It's a validation of all those parroted lines ("Where's the money, Lebowski?"), and devoted hours, and white Russians consumed.

The problem with recommending this book is that it comes with The Big Prerequisite. You must see and love The Big Lebowski. If you do and you can answer the question, "Are you employed, sir?" (of course, "sir" is not the preferred nomenclature when addressing women) with the affirmative, then you should buy, nay, need this book.

The book also works for those studying film, in particular films that have achieved cult status. But if you don't love the movie, especially after studying it, you are an infidel, traitor and trespasser and you don't deserve the deeper insight this book provides.

The Coen Brothers 1998 film comedy, "The Big Lebowski" is one of those movies, that did 'so-so' business in it's initial theatrical run, but went on to success with a new life on cable, video and now DVD. This hilarious, Chandler-esque, satiricle film about a burned out, bowling loving, hippie, who just wants to get some just compensation for his p**d on rug has created a rabid, cult-following of fans and fanatics. These folks love every frame of this movie with it's labyrinth plot, crazy characters and endlessly quotable dialogue.

There have been other books written about the Coen brothers and 'Lebowski's' more dry, film-making, technical side. But "I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski: Life, The Big Lebowski, and What You" is really a book for the fans. It is filled with 'Lebowski' film facts, blurbs, interviews and photographs. No this is not some heavy, deep analysis of the film's themes (which I would also love for someone to write!). Instead its a light, fun look at all things 'Lebowski'.

I love the short interviews, that are throughout the book. Some interviews are with the film's actors, who talk about their characters and how they got involved with the film. Other interviews are with the folks, who were the real-life inspirations for the many oddball characters, who inhabit the 'Lebowski' universe. Who knew that macho, Director/Writer John Milius ("Red Dawn", "Apocalypse Now") is the source for the Dude's Vietnam obsessed, out of control buddy, Walter Sobchak? Who wouldn't want to get the 'true' story behind the Dude's stolen car and the homework from the real-life, 'little Larry'?

Another favorite from the book is a guided tour (with photos) of the real life, California locations found throughout the film. This is quite interesting, because not unlike, the Raymond Chandler stories it satirizes, "The Big Lebowski's" locations really add to the flavor and character of the movie. Some of the locations are still there, while others have disappeared over time. I love the fact, that the book's authors give written warnings about the dangers of visiting some of the movie's more "seedier" locals!

Finally mention should be made, that the book's authors are involved in the creation of what is known as 'Lebowski Fest'. This is an annual fan celebration of all things 'Lebowski', which include film screenings (with reenactments!), celebrity guests, speakers, bowling, live music and the drinking of vast quantities of 'White Russians'! The book includes loads of photos, artwork and info about the Fest!

"I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski: Life, The Big Lebowski, and What Have You" is a fun, light-read for anyone, who is a fan of "The Big Lebowski". You can randomly pick it up at any chapter and become instantly engrossed in it's irreverent look at this hilarious cult-movie. For this reason it is perfect for any 'Lebowski' fan's bathr...errrr...library!

I was SO looking forward to this book when I ordered it. However, it's more of a novelty book with lots of filler (quizzes etc.). Some of the interviews are interesting. If you're a Big Lebowski fan, and you can find this book used, buy it! However, do NOT pay full price.

Ok, maybe I'M A LEBOWSKI, YOU'RE A LEBOWSKI does not come with a toe. But it does come with quite a bit of info about the cult film The Big Lebowski. Brought to us by the Achievers (fans of the movie) responsible for the annual Lebowskifest, the book is probably the best source for the initiated and uninitiated to get the inside scoop on the flick.

Probably the best parts of I'M A LEBOWSKI, YOU'RE A LEBOWSKI are the interviews of the actors as well as the real life inspirations for their characters. As for the actors, we get not only the big names like Jeff Bridges, John Goodman and Julianne Moore, but the minor ones, too. It takes real fans to track down the people who played Little Larry Sellers, the supermarket checkout girl, Da Fino the private detective and Marty the Landlord (though I imagine tracking down real life porn star Asia Carrera was rewarding in its own right). Each gives his/her own little take on their part of the action.

As for their real life counterparts, an interview of Jeff Dowd, the real life Dude starts us off. But we also get the inspirations for Walter (not surprisingly given his large personality, Walter is a composite of several real people) and even get an interview with the kid who inspired the hilarious Little Larry Sellers scene.

Interviews with fans of the movie are more hit and miss. Some are worthwhile, but some just seem to be there to fill up space.

Various posters of Lebowskifests are reproduced for our viewing pleasure. The authors also provide the locations for many of the major scenes of the movie for anyone wanting to take a personal tour of the action spots. I recently read a more scholarly book on The Big Lebowski (titled THE BIG LEBOWSKI published by the British Film Institute) and I'M A LEBOWSKI, YOU'RE A LEBOWSKI is a nice counterweight. Recommended for any fan of the movie.

Also good: The Big Lebowski (BFI Film Classics) published by the British Film Institute

This book has a bit of nonsense filler, as other reviewers mentioned, but judged on all content this is a four-star book. It's chock full of great interviews with the cast of the film and the real-life characters who inspired it.

Unfortunately, the Kindle edition is also chock full of typos and OCR errors, hence my downgrade to 3 stars. Also there seems to be some missing content (Steve Buscemi is mini-profiled like all other interview subjects, but no actual interview follows). If the print edition had gone to press in this condition, someone would have been fired.

Let me be the first to say, I was a little worried to read this book. The movie was such a masterpiece - I somehow thought that reading this would ruin the whole experience. It doesn't, of course, and it's a very interesting read. The interviews of the people who inspired Walter almost made me fall out of my chair. I cannot believe some of these stories REALLY HAPPENED! Hearing them recounted from a real-life perspective makes them that much more hysterical. This book does provide more information than humor, but it's still a good read.

To the people reading this review who haven't seen the movie, it really is a must-see (2x at a minimum, ideally 3x or more) and a prerequisite for this book. The first time you see it, you'll probably wonder what the hell just happened. The second or third time, things will start to click. The thing about this movie is that the plot takes a back seat to character development. It sort of feels like you're just an outside observer of this crazy, rambling sequence of hysterical events, that, theoretically, could happen in everyday life (and some of it actually did, as I now know thanks to this book). In my opinion, this is a big reason why it connects with so many people. It feels like these could be people you'd run into at your local bowling alley. The humor doesn't get old, and every time you watch you usually uncover another funny subtlety that the Coen brothers buried in the script. It's those little things and the crazy/weird one-liners that people find so funny and quote so often. As the book correctly points out, this movie just makes you "feel good". Do yourself a favor and go out and get both.

Do you see what happens Larry, when you meet a stranger in the Alps? This book is pretty good for any Lebowski fan. It was a gamble for me because it sounded like a ringer. However, once I read it, I found it to be a natural, zesty enterprise. And not too bad for $12. Some people will laugh at you for purchasing this book. I suggest you go out and achieve anyways. These skeptics are probabaly cowards. Weaklings. Bums. They think they are better then people like the dude because they never crashed their dodge while trying to put out a lit joint with a bottle of beer.

It's very undude of these bums to organize fests, write book, what have you, but they went ahead and achieved anyway.

I've heard him go on and on about The Big Lebowski, and after watching it with him (and hearing him quote every line in the entire movie!!!) I must admit I loved it. I bought this book as an impromptu gift, and we've laughed along with it for many hours. The 'Achiever Speak' section is hilarious, and the book really is the perfect accompaniment to the film.
A must have for the hard-core Lebowski fan!