Movie Review: The Achievers: The Story of the Lebowski Fans

This documentary follows The Achievers, a group of fans who idolize the movie The Big Lebowski and meet annually to share favorite lines, camaraderie, and party together. The Achievers starts as a small local meeting that brought out 150 fans, growing to Lebowski Fests across America. Fans dress in costume as The Dude, Walter, Jesus, and as bowling pins from the fantasy musical number. There is a trivia contest at the fests, the winner awarded with a trophy for their expertise on the film. Fans created an Lebowski forum called “The Forum” and we meet posters from the forum who talk about their knowledge of the film. Film crews follow fans into their rooms and at Lebowski Fests to find out what they find so appealing about the movie. The Lebowski Fests grow so big that bit players from the movie  attend, and no less The Dude himself, Jeff Bridges, sings with his band at one of the events.

Being a fan of The Big Lebowski, I was intrigued by the idea of a group of fans meeting annually to celebrate the movie. The documentary is much like a home movie where close ups of fans and events take presidence over good cinematography. Lebowski fans will relate to the fun of the documentary and may be surprised by the cult status the movie has achieved. If you are a hard core fan of The Big Lebowski you will no doubt enjoy the film, for those not familiar with the movie this may not be your cup of tea. Die-hard Lebowski fans will enjoy this film for the in jokes, line readings, extreme loyalty of the fans and the fun had by all.

2009. Directed by Eddie Chung. Starring actors from the film: Jeff Bridges, Jerry Haleva, James G. Hoosier; and fans and extras from the movie: Joe Blevins, Lu Elrod, Becky Jones, Jim James, Becky Jones and Robin Jones.

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