Stop me if you've ever heard this one....

[JughedJones]

So I was just told by a wild eyed kook that Donny from the Lebowski isn't real except for in Walter's mind.

Like, Walter had a friend Donny in Nam. Donny died. Walter never got over it and the Dude is just being nice.

Sorry if I'm late to the game.

 

[FLDomer]

WHHHHAAAA....I seriously have seen this movie a TON of time during my college years and never heard this theory, but damn it makes sense, very interesting!

 

[JughedJones]

WHHHHAAAA....I seriously have seen this movie a TON of time during my college years and never heard this theory, but damn it makes sense, very interesting!

Whoa right?

There's an obvious argument to this theory though.

Donny: Where you going, Dude?
The Dude: I'm going home, Donny.
Donny: Phone's ringin', dude.
The Dude: Thank you, Donny.

However, Dude is never facing Donny in that scene. We never see him say that.

Eesh.

 

[JughedJones]

SO....

In my mind the only answer is:

Is the bowling league two players per team or 3?

Jesus says that "Me and Liam, we gonna **** you up"

But behind them you see a guy in a purple shirt all blurry.

Is he their third? Is he a figment of Jesus's mind?

-----








We just don't know Dude.

 

[Ndaccountant]

SO....

In my mind the only answer is:

Is the bowling league two players per team or 3?

Jesus says that "Me and Liam, we gonna **** you up"

But behind them you see a guy in a purple shirt all blurry.

Is he their third? Is he a figment of Jesus's mind?

-----








We just don't know Dude.

I want to thank you for giving me an excuse to watch this movie again this weekend.

 

[NDBoiler]

Overanalyze much?

But seriously, that is an interesting way of looking at it. I did a quick Google search and there are all kinds of sites about the hidden meanings and symbolism of the movie.

 

[JughedJones]

I just watched again with this on my mind.

It's like syncing up Dark Side of The Moon with The Wizard of Oz.

You know it's probably bullshit, but you can't really tell for sure.

 

[BobD]

Now I have a headache.

 

[JughedJones]

Overanalyze much?

But seriously, that is an interesting way of looking at it. I did a quick Google search and there are all kinds of sites about the hidden meanings and symbolism of the movie.

I certainly do.

Especially when it gives one of my favorite movies a whole new thing. Maybe..man...

 

[tko]

Jug, i love this movie and you have to be spot on with your analysis. I hope to watch it again soon with your thoughts in mind.

 

[WaveDomer]

Cool theory, but I don't think it's true. The Jesus gives Donny a blow kiss, right? Also, he has interaction with Dude and he is with them outside the alley. Also, the Dude probably wouldn't be down for paying that much for an urn if it was BS. I just think Donny is the only "normal" guy in that group, who happens to bowl perfectly.

This is probably just a case of the Coens being really good at what they do and people searching for stuff that really isn't there.

 

[Black Irish]

I've heard this theory and it makes sense the more I think of it. The Coens construct their films very carefully, and Donny seems like an underdeveloped character who doesn't serve much purpose. He was made more interesting by being played by Steve Buscemi. But Donny just seems like a fifth wheel who is there to be a punching bag. Him being a figment of Walter's, and maybe Dude's, imagination creates a whole interesting new layer.

 

[WaveDomer]

I've heard this theory and it makes sense the more I think of it. The Coens construct their films very carefully, and Donny seems like an underdeveloped character who doesn't serve much purpose. He was made more interesting by being played by Steve Buscemi. But Donny just seems like a fifth wheel who is there to be a punching bag. Him being a figment of Walter's, and maybe Dude's, imagination creates a whole interesting new layer.

Okay, just YouTube when Donny has a heart attack. The Dude is the first one over and says, "Oh, they shot him." and he is grabbing Donny. He's there for comic effect, dude. Not a figment of any imagination.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1M6oW6a0iAw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Wow. Just wow

 

[JughedJones]

Okay, just YouTube when Donny has a heart attack. The Dude is the first one over and says, "Oh, they shot him." and he is grabbing Donny. He's there for comic effect, dude. Not a figment of any imagination.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1M6oW6a0iAw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Thing is.. the last scene is the weirdest.

The Dude freaks out and is convinced...with Walter... that Donny had been shot, although it's clear to the world that there were no gunshots.


Donny did nothing in the fight.

I'm not saying that this is right...but it's crazy for sure.

 

[Emcee77]

Yeah, I don't buy it. What would be the point of Walter having an imaginary friend? If you want to think deep about the Big Lebowski, it is about culture/counterculture and different narratives of "America." An imaginary friend does nothing for it.

The Coen brothers are famous for, among other things, sharp comic dialogue characterized by repetition, and for memorable performances from supporting and minor actors. I just think of Donny as a comic character who brings out Walter's stubbornness and unwillingness to listen.

 

[WaveDomer]

Thing is.. the last scene is the weirdest.

The Dude freaks out and is convinced...with Walter... that Donny had been shot, although it's clear to the world that there were no gunshots.


Donny did nothing in the fight.

I'm not saying that this is right...but it's crazy for sure.

So then you have to say that both Walter and The Dude share in the Donny fantasy. They both think he exists because The Dude touches Donny in that scene and he looks at him a few times before the fight breaks out. So The Dude has ceased just being nice about Walter's experiences in the war and is now seeing Donny too, even though he didn't fight in Vietnam etc. That's a stretch to me.

Honestly, I think the Coen Brothers heard a story about a guy finding a kid's homework in a stolen car. They thought that was funny so they wrote a movie around it. (I think this is out there in an interview somewhere) Not to dismiss the movie, because I think it's well done and funny as hell, but I don't think there is anything really deep going on in it.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

This is like how Ferris is just in the mind of Cam. Or how Ed, Edd, and Eddy is based in purgatory. Or how Aladdin is set in the future. Fan theories are pretty funny even though all of them have huge holes.

 

[Emcee77]

So then you have to say that both Walter and The Dude share in the Donny fantasy. They both think he exists because The Dude touches Donny in that scene and he looks at him a few times before the fight breaks out. So The Dude has ceased just being nice about Walter's experiences in the war and is now seeing Donny too, even though he didn't fight in Vietnam etc. That's a stretch to me.

Honestly, I think the Coen Brothers heard a story about a guy finding a kid's homework in a stolen car. They thought that was funny so they wrote a movie around it. (I think this is out there in an interview somewhere) Not to dismiss the movie, because I think it's well done and funny as hell, but I don't think there is anything really deep going on in it.

I think it's more than just a funny, well-made movie--it's also thoughtful and thought-provoking--but I think you're right that it's a mistake to ask yourself what everything means with filmmakers like the Coen brothers. Their movies usually have something to say but they are also in large part about fun. When A Simple Man came out I remember reading one of them say that half the fun was just thinking of stuff they could do to the guy.

It's like that myth about Pulp Fiction that Marcellus Wallace's soul is in the briefcase. Tarantino is a student of film. The briefcase is a classic mcguffin. He never thought twice about what was in the case; it was just an excuse for the events of the movie to transpire, the events he wanted to film. With filmmakers like these, a lot of the stuff in the movies is just fun or cool to them. It's not James Joyce where every little thing has larger significance.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

But then what was cremated?

 

[WaveDomer]

I think it's more than just a funny, well-made movie--it's also thoughtful and thought-provoking--but I think you're right that it's a mistake to ask yourself what everything means with filmmakers like the Coen brothers. Their movies usually have something to say but they are also in large part about fun. When A Simple Man came out I remember reading one of them say that half the fun was just thinking of stuff they could do to the guy.

It's like that myth about Pulp Fiction that Marcellus Wallace's soul is in the briefcase. Tarantino is a student of film. The briefcase is a classic mcguffin. He never thought twice about what was in the case; it was just an excuse for the events of the movie to transpire, the events he wanted to film. With filmmakers like these, a lot of the stuff in the movies is just fun or cool to them. It's not James Joyce where every little thing has larger significance.

When I call it a well made comedy, I'm not saying it's similar to a movie like Ace Ventura. I just don't think there is anything really deep or hidden to it. It's a lazy former hippy who gets pulled into a Big Sleep type scenario and comedy ensues. That being said, the Coen Bros. are smart enough directors/writers to put themes in there, music choices in there, color schemes, etc. to forward the plot. Where Ace Ventura will put in a fart joke to forward whatever plot there is.

 

[Ironman8]

This is like how Ferris is just in the mind of Cam. Or how Ed, Edd, and Eddy is based in purgatory. Or how Aladdin is set in the future. Fan theories are pretty funny even though all of them have huge holes.

Woah now - I'd never heard the Ferris theory. Do explain, please.

 

[Grahambo]

This is like how Ferris is just in the mind of Cam. Or how Ed, Edd, and Eddy is based in purgatory. Or how Aladdin is set in the future. Fan theories are pretty funny even though all of them have huge holes.

 

[Black Irish]

Woah now - I'd never heard the Ferris theory. Do explain, please.

The way I heard it, the whole day is a figment of Cameron's imagination. He creates this wildlly popular and resourceful friend who takes him on this whirlwind adventure. It's Cameron's way of coping with his loneliness and boredom.