As another answer has pointed out, The Big Lebowski is about the American Dream,
As another answer has pointed out, The Big Lebowski is about the American Dream,
and the contrast of The Dude and his namesake who the film is named after: Jeffrey “The Big Lebowski” Lebowski. However, I want to expand upon this.
After seeing the film again recently, I realized that the Stranger’s (played by Sam Elliot) narration at the beginning of the film is key to understanding what the film is actually about – Authenticity of character.
The Stranger begins the film by narrating something akin to describing the Dude as someone who doesn’t chase ambition or wealth, but instead lives a simple, laid-back life—bowling, drinking White Russians, and taking things as they come. The tone frames the Dude almost like a mythic Western hero, but humorously contrasts that with his bathrobe-wearing, unemployed reality.
“Sometimes there’s a man… well, he’s the man for his time and place” sticks out as important, as the dude is not an impressive man in a traditional sense, but rather he is exactly who he is supposed to be. He has no need to pretend that he is any better or worse than the reality of his character. No upward ambition to speak of, no pretension of any deeper desires.
