The Movie Like The Big Lebowski That Crime Comedy Fans Need To See
Fans love "The Big Lebowski" for its hugely quotable script as well as the incredible cast of character actors. The Coen Bros. neo-noir parody features performances by Jeff Bridges, Sam Elliott, Steve Buscemi, John Goodman, Juliane Moore, and Tara Reid among others. It's got iconic drinks, iconic rugs, and a spin-off focused on John Turturro's character for some reason (via RogerEbert.com). The movie even has its own Lebowski Fest, where devotees of the Dude (or His Dudeness, or Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing) congregate to celebrate the film.
However "The Big Lebowski," at its heart, is a movie about nothing. It believes in nothing! The movie follows one character as he drifts in and out of bigger narratives that swirl around him beyond his control. The Dude abides, and most movies are about people who are much more active. It takes a special filmmaker or two to make a movie where stuff just sort of happens to a guy compelling. Altman did it with "The Long Goodbye," the Coen Bros. did it with "Lebowski," and many argue that David Robert Mitchell did it with "Under the Silver Lake."
Under the Silver Lake is another So Cal picaresque
Like "The Big Lebowski," "Under the Silver Lake" uses Los Angeles and its fragmented landscape to create a series of visually distinct vignettes. "Lebowski" focuses on LA's westside, namely Venice Beach where the Dude lives. "Silver Lake," as the same suggests, is mostly set on the eastside and the hipster enclave of Silver Lake. Andrew Garfield stars as our rather unsympathetic protagonist, Sam, who is letting his life fall apart around him. Sam uncovers a vast conspiracy in Hollywood that connects Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Silver Lake Reservoir, The Standard Hotel, and all the bestselling pop singles of all time. Or does he? The film's trippy style never lets you fully decide whether any of what Sam experiences is actually happening, and how much is just his overactive imagination.
"Under the Silver Lake" also stars Riley Keough as the object of Sam's obsession. Riki Lindhome of Garfunkel & Oates plays Sam's on-again, off-again girlfriend, Topher Grace plays his best friend, and "Vanderpump Rules" one-season wonder Laura Leigh makes a brief appearance as a cultist. If you're looking for a movie that drifts in and out of Los Angeles' sun-baked streets, "Under the Silver Lake" is a hazy trip.