One idea that the Coen brothers incorporate in their films is the idea of violence used in somewhat of a humorous manner. Many of their films use a comical kind of violence, for instance, The Big Lebowski has many points where the main character is getting beaten up and the audience is laughing. there is one scene where the main character the Dude is getting his head dunked in the toilet by two people who broke into his house and they persistently ask him "Where's the money Lebowski?!" to which the Dude would respond after being lifted out of the toilet "I think its down there somewhere, let me take another look."
This form of comical violence that is in The Big Lebowski resembles much of that that is in the O'Connor story Good Country People. In her story, a young one legged woman is robbed by a man who claimed to be a bible salesman who was only interested in stripping her of her fake leg. After he tricks her in to giving him the leg, he runs off and exclaims "I once stole a glass eye this way!"
In addition to using similar ideas to O'Connor, the Coen brothers also payed homage to her in their film O Brother Where Art Thou' in a scene where a bible salesman beats the two of the main characters with a log and takes all their money, just like the robbery in O'Connor's Good Country People.
"Where's the Money, Lebowski?!?" Clip:
Wow! Great cross media connections! I'm not sure what happens in Good Country People is the same kind of violence as what happens in The Big Lebowski, but I think that the two definitely share the same kind of dark humor.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I wouldn't say that the actions of Manly Pointer were violent, but the humor does share a common ground.
DeleteI like your connection to O' Brother Where Art Thou. The scene when John Goodman's character beats up the two protagonists really does remind me of Good Country People.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the connections you made between Flannery O'Connors' work and the movie "Brother Where Art Though". Its a really accurate comparison. I enjoyed that dark comedic twist that happens in Good Country people. I think your post was "on point".
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the connections you made between Flannery O'Connors' work and the movie "Brother Where Art Though". Its a really accurate comparison. I enjoyed that dark comedic twist that happens in Good Country people. I think your post was "on point".
ReplyDeleteI love The Big Lebowski! But I would not have connected it to Good Country People (a little bit of dark humor is the only similar thing I see. However your connection to Brother Where Art Though is much better. Well done. Now I want to watch The Big Lebowski again.
ReplyDeleteI love The Big Lebowski! But I would not have connected it to Good Country People (a little bit of dark humor is the only similar thing I see. However your connection to Brother Where Art Though is much better. Well done. Now I want to watch The Big Lebowski again.
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