Kingpin

I've never been a huge fan of the Ferrelly brothers (they surely aren't the Coen's) but this film starred Bill Murray (or so I thought) and I just love him so I had to watch it at least once. Truth be told, Murray is hilarious here in every frame he's in, but sadly he's just not in enough. Woody Harrelson, and to a lesser degree Randy Quaid, are funny in their own rights here, but neither of them can truly carry this film and it isn't really until Murray comes onto the screen that my attention was gotten and I found myself fully amused.

`Kingpin' tells the story of Roy Munson, a young guy who quickly rose to the top of the bowling world due to his dynamic skill and training. When he makes enemies with the greedy Ernie McCracken he finds that all is not fair in love and bowling. After an altercation that leaves Roy without his bowling hand he slips away into obscurity. The love of the game has not left Roy though, and when he catches a glimpse of the Amish Ishmael Boorg and sees his raw potential for the game he offers to manage him. Thankfully Ishmael's family is in dire need of some quick cash and so he agrees to allow Munson to train him for an upcoming tournament. Along the way they face some difficulties, and when they finally make it to the tournament they have to face McCracken.

The truth of the matter is that `Kingpin' only works some of the time. A lot of the gags fall short, especially after a repeat viewing. Woody Harrelson had a good year in `96, but that was due to his Oscar nominated performance in `The People vs. Larry Flynt', not this underwhelming comedy. His performance isn't bad, but I just feel that the overall material is too weak to really sustain the audience. Murray is really the only standout, mostly because his delivery is so naturally funny (thanks to his adlibbing just about everything he does). When McCracken is on the screen I am in stitches; but when he leaves I am bored.

woody harrelson did a grate job on this movie this movie was funney from begginig to end I was never board this movie deserves a 5 star rating

I love this movie. It had gotten hard to find this movie in stores and this was a reliable way of finding what I wanted. The product arrived in new condition. Just what I was looking for!

I have an arsenal of movie favorites that I keep for times when I'm not feeling very well. This movie is in it. It's hard to concentrate on those sniffles or whatever ails you when you're laughing this hard! Laughter really is the best medicine.

Again, as in The 40 Year Old Virgin, we have what was a classic comedy re-edited for its dvd release, and made all the poorer for it. Why won't they release the original theatrical version of Kingpin on DVD--it was PERFECT as it was. The gags they re-inserted for the DVD release add nothing and actually detract. I wish I'd never sold my old VHS, which had an untampered with version. The original version was easily the best flick the Farrelly Brothers or Woody Harrelson ever made.
The original Kingpin was FAR superior to Something About Mary.
Bring us the original!