The Big Lebowski is a 1998 American
neo-noir stoner comedy crime film, written, produced, and directed by
Joel and Ethan Coen. It stars
Jeff Bridges as Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski, a
Los Angeles slacker and avid
bowler. After he is assaulted as a result of mistaken identity, The Dude learns of a millionaire also named Jeffrey Lebowski who was the intended victim. When the millionaire Lebowski's
trophy wife is kidnapped, he commissions The Dude to deliver the ransom to secure her release. The plan goes awry when the Dude's friend Walter Sobchak (
John Goodman) schemes to keep the full ransom.
Julianne Moore and
Steve Buscemi also star, with
David Huddleston,
John Turturro,
Philip Seymour Hoffman,
Sam Elliott and
Tara Reid appearing in supporting roles.