My Morning Jacket Abide by 'The Big Lebowski'

Posted on Feb 16th 2010 4:00PM by Pat Pemberton
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Even before My Morning Jacket created hit records, appeared in movies and played to huge crowds, they were Achievers. Not achievers, as in they were successful. We're talking about 'The Big Lebowski' Achievers, the ever-growing legion of movie watchers who see the Dude as a deity, those who somehow envy the life of an unemployed slacker and apply Lebowski movie lines to every facet o life.

"We've always loved that movie to death," drummer Patrick Hallahan tells Spinner. "And there was always something really special about it."

Twelve years after it hit theaters, 'The Big Lebowski' -- about a guy who just wanted his rug back -- has hit super-cult status. Its following is so big, the Lebowski Fest -- annual gatherings of Lebowski fans (aka "Achievers") -- has gone international with multiple gatherings each year.

Not only does MMJ keep a copy of the 1998 cult classic in its tour bus -- the band actually played at the third Lebowski Fest in Louisville, the home of both MMJ and the original Fest. During that show, MMJ frontman Jim James donned a Dude bathrobe and led his band through a rendition of Bob Dylan's 'The Man in Me,' a song featured prominently in the film.

The MMJ guys, who are friends with the festival organizers, were excited to be a part of the event, which usually features lots of costumes, a screening of the movie and general craziness.

"It's just such a spectacle," Hallahan says. "People need to take time to have fun like that more often, to not take themselves so seriously. That's why they do so well, because this provides an opportunity for people to be creative and enjoy being with other people who are of the same mindset."

Of course, every Achiever likes the movie for different reasons. And Hallahan has a few.

"It's just such a good story," he said. "And it's so well shot, too. And a good soundtrack always sells a movie. 'Rushmore' is another perfect example -- or anything Wes Anderson does."

When asked his favorite line from the movie, Hallahan stalls. "God, you're putting me on the spot here," he says. "There's so many."

Then, like the Dude, he abides:

"Any line from the Nihilists are always big on my list because they're always so incredibly ridiculous," he says. "Like 'Gives me the money, Lebowski' -- that would be one."