The Big Lebowski poster

The Big Lebowski

1998117 minutesR
4.9
Arcplot Score
📝 Unconventional
Unverified
8.1IMDb
🍅 79%Rotten Tomatoes
Ⓜ️ 71/100Metacritic
🎬 7.8TMDb
📊 7.4Popularity
🏆5 wins & 18 nominations total
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Directed by: Coen Brothers
When "the dude" Lebowski is mistaken for a millionaire Lebowski, two thugs urinate on his rug to coerce him into paying a debt he knows nothing about. While attempting to gain recompense for the ruined rug from his wealthy counterpart, he accepts a one-time job with high pay-off. He enlists the help of his bowling buddy, Walter, a gun-toting Jewish-convert with anger issues. Deception leads to more trouble, and it soon seems that everyone from porn empire tycoons to nihilists want something from The Dude.

Box Office

Budget:$15.0M
Revenue:$47.0M
Profit:$32.0M

Arcplot Score Breakdown

Beat Timing Precision6.7/10
Emotional Arc Impact3/10
Thematic Consistency5/10
Overall Score4.9/10

Beat Sheet

15 plot points

The Big Lebowski Arcplot
1
Opening Image
1 min
2
Theme Stated
5 min
3
Set-Up
12 min
4
Catalyst
20 min
5
Debate
35 min
6
Break Into Two
45 min
7
B Story
55 min
8
Fun and Games
65 min
9
Midpoint
75 min
10
Bad Guys Close In
85 min
11
All Is Lost
95 min
12
Dark Night of the Soul
100 min
13
Break Into Three
105 min
14
Finale
112 min
15
Final Image
116 min

Emotional Arc

+100-10

Plot Points

#1

Opening Image

1 min

The Dude lounging, carefree. Laid-back tone set.

#2

Theme Stated

5 min

The Dude: "That rug really tied the room together." Chaos vs tranquility theme.

#3

Set-Up

12 min

Dude mistakenly attacked. Introduction of Walter and Donny. Quest to fix rug. Comedy ensues.

#4

Catalyst

20 min

Dude agrees to seek restitution from Big Lebowski. Conflict begins.

#5

Debate

35 min

Dude questions involvement. Friends push forward.

#6

Break Into Two

45 min

Dude enters absurd criminal underworld.

#7

B Story

55 min

Friendship and loyalty with Walter and Donny highlighted.

#8

Fun and Games

65 min

Misadventures: kidnappings, mistaken identities, bowling.

#9

Midpoint

75 min

Dude attacked again. Stakes higher.

#10

Bad Guys Close In

85 min

Criminals converge. Plan failing.

#11

All Is Lost

95 min

Abduction plot unravels.

#12

Dark Night of the Soul

100 min

Dude confused, lost.

#13

Break Into Three

105 min

Dude confronts reality.

#14

Finale

112 min

Chaos resolves. Relationships survive.

#15

Final Image

116 min

Dude bowling, peaceful again.