Over-hyped and Forgettable? Yes. Still Worth Seeing? Probably.

Rating: Null/10 (21 February 2003)

Kingpin  1996  Rated PG-13 for crude sex-related humor and a drug scene.
The film fades in. We are in Ocelot, Iowa. It is 1969. Roy Munson (Woody Harrelson) is an aspiring bowler, who is told `You can apply everything about bowling to your daily life.'' Little does Roy know that in ten years he will be the winner of the Odor-Eaters Bowling Championship
It is a day come true for young Ray, who instantly has high dreams for his future. But just as quick as they come, they disappear, as Roy meets Ernie McCracken (the always hilarious Bill Murray) who is not only a con man, but a man who Ray desperately wants to be like: smooth, cocky, smart-aleck and easy-going. Perhaps that is why Ray enthusiastically (but unknowingly) carries out McCracken's con, which is hustling an alley full of bowlers. This act leads to Roy Munson's hand being shoved into a ball return by the bowling gang, which is then chopped off by the ball return device. Ouch!
And so ten miserable years pass in Roy's regrettable life, whence Roy is so bankrupt and down-on-his-luck that he must sleep with his fifty-something landlady just to keep his room. He has since covered his stump with a rubber hand, which he puts his bowling ring on to be reminded of the good ol days. And then, in one instance, everything changes in Roy's life.
Down at the bowling alley, Roy spots an Amish man named Ishmael (Randy Quaid) with a talent for bowling, and a very good talent at that. Roy approaches Ishmael and makes him an offer. Roy will represent Ishmael, be his agent, or something like that, in exchange for a certain percentage of the profit Ish makes. Unfortunately for Roy, Ishmael refuses the offer and leaves to go home. Roy finds out later that the whole thing is a secret from Roy's family, who would never let him bowl if they knew the truth. So, Roy finally convinces Ishmael to leave his roots and they start a cross-county journey to the bowling championship, where Roy will meet an old friend by the name of Ernie
This film was directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly, who have brought us `Dumb and Dumber,' `There's Something About Mary,' and `Shallow Hal,' some politically incorrect films, two of which were funny. (`D & D' and `Mary') It is no surprise that these are the men behind `Kingpin,' which is another irreverent comedy. However, it wasn't nearly as irreverent as I hoped, not funny enough to recommend.
The cast works with what they can; Woody Harrelson, fondly remembered from TV's `Cheers,' is believable as Roy, whose dreams have been completely shattered after his hand is amputated. Randy Quaid might not be quite as convincing as an Amish man, but he sure as heck is funny, and that's all I need in a movie like this. Bill Murray, however, is the best of the cast. He is at the beginning of the film, which proves to be very funny, and the end, which proves to be funny. The problem is, the scenes without Murray just drag along without any great jokes so to speak. Murray makes the film, what little he is in it.
I remember watching `Kingpin' on television not too far back. I remember being bored, waiting for the movie to end. I watched the whole thing for two reasons: (a) because I always watch a movie I start (b) because I wanted to review it with the full film's picture in my head and (c) Bill Murray was in it. I had to see it, just for his sake.
So now, I am reviewing the film, and here is my verdict:
`Kingpin' is worth seeing, but it is not great. The jokes work occasionally but mainly fall flat. If you do see the movie, if for nothing else, see it for Bill's sake.
3/5 stars -
John Ulmer