Film Petit #7: The Big Lebowski

 I can't quite remember the first time I watched the Big Lebowski. I know it was with Nick, but we've watched it so many times since then that I can't recall. It's a staple in this house... when the kids are in bed.

It's about the Dude, played by Jeff Bridges in his most memorable role ever. He's a slacker pothead in LA who spends his days bowling with Walter and Donny, John Goodman and Steve Buscemi, respectively. Suddenly his routine is interrupted when a group of porn thugs mistake him for a millionaire with the same name (ahem, Lebowski) and pee on his rug. It really tied the room together.

Anyway, the Dude is enlisted by the real millionaire Lebowski to get his wife back from some Nihilists trying to make some quick cash, and Walter helps him f*ck the whole thing up. Before long, there are many shady characters after them and Donny is dead. Excuse the colorful language, but if you are easily offended by that word, then don't watch this movie. It's in there 260 times. (I found this list of f word usage in movies very interesting.) But if you like hilariously genius cult classics by the likes of the Coen brothers, then you've probably already seen it. This 1998 movie is VERY cult. There are Lebowski Fests held all over the country every year. I honestly don't know why we haven't been yet.

For the shirt and shorts I used the Oliver & S Sketchbook pattern. They are both size 5, all I changed was the color blocking on the bowling shirt. The shirt is made from a yellow and a brown Moda Bella solid from Sewn Studio, and the shorts are made from a new Moda woven we recently got in at Sewn. These checked cottons are fantastic and I want to use them for everything. The pattern is on both sides of the fabric, woven in, but it's brushed on one side so it feels a little flannel-y. So comfy for the inside of kid clothes. 

"Medina Sod" was added with a freezer paper stencil and craft paint. I was tempted to change it to "The Dude Abides," but I love how obscure this reference is on the Dude's shirt. 

The "Art" is embroidered on with brown floss. I was going to try to embroider the pocket graphic as well, but that went very badly so I needed a new plan. I just cut a new pocket and drew the ball and pins on with a thin sharpy. Then I hand painted them in. 

The scene I tried to recreate with the Folgers can is Donny's funeral. Dude and Walter take his ashes out to the Pacific in a coffee can and Walter gives a touching tribute that is mostly just about Vietnam. 

Then he releases the ashes into the ocean, except they just blow all over Dude's face. It's gotta be one of the most classically hilarious funeral scenes ever.

I was lucky enough to take these pictures in Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas this weekend, and despite  lacking an ocean, the rocks and shrubs work perfectly for this scene. (We were there for my brother's wedding- so fun.) I was actually trying to get him to rub the gray sand all over his face so it would look like the ashes, but he was way to into throwing handfuls of rocks into this little pond. I can't blame him for being distracted in this gorgeous canyon full of places to climb. But he did pretty well considering the day before was full of posed wedding photography. 

 

And of course we had to get a shot in the In-N-Out Burger. I totally get the appeal of this burger joint that's so popular out West. Have you tried it "animal style?" Yum.




This month we were SO lucky to have Sabra be our guest for Film Petit. We have been wanting to do Lebowski since the beginning, but knew we had to find a very specific person to pull it off and appreciate the ridiculousness of it all. She did not disappoint. She did the Dude AND Walter in the bowling alley and it's f**kin fantastic.


And since we thought the world needed at least 3 small versions of the Dude, Kristin also did one. Grocery-store-in-a-robe-Dude. I can't overemphasize how cute it is.



Like little kids dressed up like your favorite movies? You can see all my past Film Petit posts here.