3 1/3 stars
Sometimes, a documentary is a documentary.
But sometimes, dude, it's a reflection of the world at large.
That's what "The Achievers: The Story of the Lebowski Fans" is. It's the story of how we seek community and connections through popular culture, and how the film "The Big Lebowski" forms that bond for thousands of people across the globe.
Writer and director Eddie Chung has created a funny, fascinating look at the hordes who quote from and live by "Lebowski."
For those of you who may not know what I'm talking about, here's a little foundation for you: "The Big Lebowski," by the renowned filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen, stars Jeff Bridges as pothead and affable guy "Dude" Lebowski, who lives in his own world %u2013 and a very small one, at that %u2013 inhabited by his bowling friends and acquaintances.
Some thugs mistake Dude for a different Lebowski %u2013 Dude has nothing to do with the guys mixed up in this criminal ring. But when he tells them they have the wrong guy, one of them urinates on his rug. With the help of cronies Walter (John Goodman) and Donnie (Steve Buscemi), Dude sets out to find the Lebowski the bad guys want because he wants to be reimbursed for his rug. There follows a series of misadventures that you just have to see, because words can't adequately describe them.
Most Coen brothers fans (and I'm one of them) argue that "The Big Lebowski" is one of those movies that doesn't come along every year. Full of quirks, from its dialogue to its characters and its plot, there's nothing quite like it.
The Achievers %u2013 those whose personal philosophy is based on the movie %u2013 turn out in droves to the annual celebration of the movie that's held in several locations throughout the United States (here's the website: http://www.lebowskifest.com/).
The locations always involve bowling alleys, the imbibing of White Russians (the drink of choice for Dude in the movie), outlandish costume and trivia contests, and screenings of the show. The movie starts by focusing on the festival founders and the inaugural fest that was held in Louisville, Ky., in 2004. Through Chung's film, you'll meet characters who are every bit as oddball and endearing as the fictional folks from the Coen brothers' work.
And you'll see Achiever celebrities, too, including actors who appear for only seconds in the movie and the original Dude himself, Jeff Dowd, who inspired the character. All are surrounded by adoring fans. And just wait until you see Bridges himself, who made an appearance at one festival. All that's missing is an appearance by the Coens themselves.
Most of all, you'll see how one film %u2013 one which, incidentally, didn't exactly make a huge impact the box office when it was released %u2013 brings together folks who often feel like outsiders when they're not in attendance.
The documentary, and the Dude, abide.