THE BIG LEBOWSKI is a film that is best enjoyed with friends (maybe in your pajamas, an old bathrobe, or a comfy Cowichan sweater – your call, no judgement) and maybe an adult beverage (perhaps a delicious White Russian or two – you deserve it!). Something else we can abide? Taking in a big-screen showing of the Coen Brothers’ classic – and supporting a great cause! On Thursday, April 18, The Rio Theatre and The Vancouver Art House Society will be donating 20% of all proceeds to help return the beloved “Dude” sculpture to East Vancouver‘s Dude Chilling Park (after all, he really ties the park together).

For the uninitiated: Dude Chilling Park is the second most visited park in Vancouver, and also happens to be located in the City’s coolest neighbourhood!

Thursday, April 18
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm
Advance tickets $13 | $15 at the door

*Minors permitted in the balcony! Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service and main floor seating, man.
**Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK! Please redeem at the door.

A fundraising campaign, administered through the Mount Pleasant Community Centre Association, is under way to save Dude Chilling Park’s resident “Dude.” The cedar sculpture of a reclining figure was left at the park in 1991 by B.C. artist Michael Dennis. Over the next quarter century the sculpture, officially named “Reclining Figure,: became a mainstay of Guelph Park. In recent years, the park has more popularly become known by many as Dude Chilling Park after local artist Viktor Briestensky, inspired by Dennis’s sculpture, created and installed an exact replicate of an official Vancouver Park Board sign, replacing Guelph Park with Dude Chilling Park.

Unfortunately, the wooden sculpture has started to deteriorate. Dennis, working with the park board, removed the figure and took it back to his studio for repairs and to prepare it for a bit of an upgrade. The artist has restored the pieces to its original form, and the next step is to take it to a foundry to make a mould, and then cast it in bronze. The celebration of his return will likely be in late August.

Since its release in 1998, the Coen’s THE BIG LEBOWSKI has really grown into its status as a true cult classic. A quirky, quasi-neo-noir story, truly glorious visual sequences, some hilarious dialogue and standout performances from an A-list cast really tie the whole thing together, man. Jeff Bridges abides as unemployed stoner Jeff Lebowski (aka, “The Dude”), a laid-back, easygoing burnout who just happens to have the same name as a millionaire whose wife Bunny owes a lot of dangerous people (nihilists?) a whole bunch of money. When some bad guys break into The Dude’s house and pee on his rug, he seeks out the other Lebowski, which sends him spiraling into a weird trip through Los Angeles’ even weirder underworld. Also starring John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, Philip Seymour Hoffman, David Huddleston, John Turturro, Tara Reid, and Flea.

“A typical Coen brothers film is like no film you’ve ever seen.” (The Globe & Mail)

THE BIG LEBOWSKI (Joel and Ethan Coen, 1998 / 117 minutes / 14A) | Jeff `The Dude' Leboswki is mistaken for Jeffrey Lebowski, who is The Big Lebowski. Which explains why he's roughed up and has his precious rug peed on. In search of recompense, The Dude tracks down his namesake, who offers him a job. His wife has been kidnapped and he needs a reliable bagman. Aided and hindered by his pals Walter Sobchak, a Vietnam vet, and Donny, master of stupidity.