"KINGPIN"-- A

Rating: 9/10 (21 May 2000)

What makes a great comedy? Funny scenes. Funny characters. Funny dialogue. "Kingpin" has all of these qualities and in large doses. It's one of the top ten comedies of the past ten years, and in my opinion, the crowning achievement of the Farelly brothers thus far.
"Dumb and Dumber" was hilarious. "There's Something About Mary" took the romantic comedy to a new level. But "Kingpin" stands out as the most bizarre and likeable film of the Farelly trilogy. Much like the "Billy Madison" of Adam Sandler films, "Kingpin" is not so much funnier than the rest of the Farelly Brother's movies, as it is more weird and awesome.
There are some scenes that drag, and I don't think Randy Quaid's character is as funny as it should have been, but everything else here is gold. Woody gives a great comedic performance. Vanessa Angel has a great chest ("and those babies are real!") Uncle Willie, Chris Elliot, and the landlady are superb.
I could write an epic poem on the greatness of Bill Murray in this movie, but I won't. Suffice it to say that his performance in "Kingpin" is best thing he has ever done. Its the best part of the movie. He's not in it nearly enough, but that only makes you cherish his scenes all the more.
However, the most underrated character in this movie, and in cinematic history for that matter, is unquestionably the "Great Stan" (Vanessa Angel's boyfriend). He represents everything that is enigmatic of the human condition. He's simultaneously slick and weird. He wears black turtlenecks and has a gray streak in his hair. He beats women, and makes fun of the beating of women, while respecting the beauty of the natural woman. He is violent and depraved, yet he frowns upon cheating. He drinks Coca-cola. He has some weird friends. And last, but not least, he has a bowling alley in his basement. Modern psychology has yet to fully comprehend such a character. Perhaps it never will. But one thing is certain: the "Great Stan" is the best thing to ever come out of either art or reality.
Kingpin is a great movie.