After 20 years of The Big Lebowski, The Dude abides

The Coen Brothers' cult classic "The Big Lebowski" turned 20 Tuesday, with crowds from across the state coming together to celebrate the indie hit with plenty of Minnesota connections.

The pair of St. Louis Park natives, Joel and Ethan Coen, famously got their inspiration for the film while at a wrap party to celebrate the end of production on their hit "Fargo," which was shot here in Minnesota.

"They had a wrap party at Bryant Lake Bowl [in Uptown], and what do they have at Bryant Lake Bowl in addition to the beer? Bowling," said Colin Covert, an arts and culture writer with the Star Tribune. "That's where the idea came from. If it weren't for Minneapolis itself, there would be no Big Lebowski. You're welcome, world."

Since then, the movie's colorful characters and quotable lines have developed a passionate following, which showed up in full force--and full costume--for a showing at St. Paul's Turf Club Tuesday.

"I'd never seen a movie like this before," Amanda Platson said. "I fell in love with it."

With 20 years to its name and enough fans to last it another 20 more, those gathered Tuesday night made one thing apparent--The Dude abides.

"It's funny. It's fun," Nick Costa said. "Don't take yourself too seriously. That's what I love about it, it's just a good time."