Kingpin

Plot synopsis:
Flashy young bowler Roy Munson (Woody Harrelson) wins the 1979 Iowa state bowling championship and leaves home to turn professional. In his professional bowling tour debut, he defeats established pro Ernie McCracken (Bill Murray), who takes the loss poorly and seeks revenge. McCracken convinces Roy to join him in hustling a group of local amateur bowlers. When the amateurs become furious after realizing they are being conned, McCracken flees while Roy is brutally beaten and loses his hand when it is forced into the ball return, ending his career. 17 years later, Roy uses a prosthetic hand and is living in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he sells novelty items with little success and drinks heavily. He is also behind on his rent and is constantly harassed by his landlady Mrs. Dumars (Lin Shaye), even going so far as to have sex with her to avoid her having him evicted and possibly prosecuted for he and his friend staging a mugging for him to save her.
On a sales visit to a nearby bowling alley, Roy meets Ishmael Boorg (Randy Quaid). Roy tries to convince Ishmael to turn pro, with Roy acting as manager. Ishmael declines, explaining that he is from the local Amish community and that his bowling hobby is a secret. Roy then sees a poster in a bowling magazine advertising a $1 million winner-take-all tournament in Reno, Nevada. Learning that Ishmael's family is about to lose their farm to the bank, Roy eventually convinces Ishmael's family to let him join Roy.
Roy discovers that the childlike Ishmael is not aware of some of bowling's basic rules and skills, but after some coaching, Ishmael improves. The duo earn money in various local tournaments and by hustling bowlers. Ishmael defeats a wealthy bowling enthusiast named Stanley Osmanski (Rob Moran), but Stanley attacks the duo after discovering that the roll of cash Roy put up was fake. As the group flee Osmanski's mansion, his girlfriend Claudia (Vanessa Angel), who had also been a victim of Osmanski's violence, joins them. Roy suspects Claudia has ulterior motives and is distracting Ishmael. After Roy gets in a big fight with her, Ishmael flees. During his absence, Roy and Claudia drive on and end up at his family home, abandoned ever since Roy's father passed years ago. They eventually find Ishmael and continue on to Reno.
In Reno, the group runs into McCracken, who is now a national bowling superstar. McCracken insults and makes fun of Roy and infuriates Ishmael, who attempts to punch McCracken but instead hits a wall and breaks his hand, leaving him unable to bowl. Later on, Claudia disappears with all of their money after being discovered by Stanley. Feeling distraught, Ishmael convinces Roy that they still have a chance to win the $1,000,000 – if Roy bowls. Roy enters the tournament, rolling the ball with his prosthetic rubber hand. He wins his first several rounds, ending up in the televised finals against McCracken. During the final match, Ishmael's brother, who had been sent by the Boorg family, arrives and takes Ishmael back to Pennsylvania. When Roy realizes he is alone, he struggles and McCracken wins the tournament by one pin.
Afterwards, Roy is again living in Pennsylvania when he is visited by Claudia, who explains she had disappeared with Stanley in Reno in an attempt to keep him from hurting Roy and Ishmael. She made Stanley believe she was running away with McCracken, and confesses her love for Roy, offering him money Stanley earned from gambling on McCracken in the finals. Roy responds that he has already earned $500,000 in an endorsement deal for Trojan condoms based on his prosthetic hand. Roy and Claudia visit Ishmael's family home. Ishmael's parents explain that Roy and Claudia told them about Ishmael's forbidden bowling career, but also about the moral strength and decency he showed during his travels. Roy tells them how Ishamel straightened Roy and Claudia's life out. Roy pays off the Boorg family's debts with his endorsement check, and Roy and Claudia drive away together.

Tags: cult, comedy, humor

Review:
Along the journey they are great supporting comedic performances given by Bill Murray and Vanessa Angel who certainly makes the look of the film more appealing.The Farrelly brothers in my opinion give their best direction they've yet to have.
The Farrellys had a good screen play by Barry Fanaro and Mort Nathan to work with, as they showed a talent for assembling a wonderful cast to make this a winning comedy the fun and exciting film it is.The best thing in the film are Woody Harrelson and Bill Murray.
The 1979 accident was the result of Roy taking the fall for the hustle engineered by legendary bowler Ernie McCracken (Bill Murray).Fast forward to 1996, and Roy stumbles across an Amish bowler named Ishmael Boorg (Randy Quaid), the most talented bowler he's ever come across.
Ishmael's brother is the requisite family member sent to bring the stray relative back home, and Vanessa Angel is extra-hot as the love interest for almost every guy in the film.If you think this is a parody of bowling, the joke may be on you.
Expect a procession of jokes at the expensive of the main characters, fused with an simple storyline and that's exactly what to expect from a Farrelly brothers film.Woody Harrelson plays Roy Munson a washed bowler that had potential to be a professional Bowler but his dream comes to an end when he encounters Ernie McCracken, played to perfection by Bill Murray who ends up costing Roy Munson his bowling hand.
Together the three form an unbreakable bond and come face to face with their adversary Ernie McCracken.I like my comedy to be intelligent, and Kingpin is one of the few movies of its kind that actually makes me laugh.
Randy Quaid is always solid, Vanessa Angel is devilish sexy and cunning, Woody Harrelson is suitably vexed and Bill Murray reminds us all why he has remained Hollywood's main comedy actor long since all his peers disappeared.Kingpin is definitely for an adult audience and it is worth watching some night that there is nothing on the television or at the cinema.
It's at one of the bowling alleys that Roy does routes to that he witnesses one Ishmael Boorg(Randy Quaid,backing his scene stealing performance in ID4 with this bravura turn),a sweet,gentle Amish man-child who has a natural knack for bowling.
Needing money and smelling a chance at scoring big time,Roy decides to take Ishmael under his wing.On the way to a Million dollar tournament in Las Vegas,Roy and Ishmael pick up a comely stowaway and ally in a gangster's moll(VAnessa Angel) and bond from mishap to mishap.There's nothing particularly brilliant or especially sharp about this offering,the second from the brothers Farrelly,but its uniqueness and lack of restraint on the gross-out humor make this movie a very easy watch(for those who love that kind of stuff,of course).
in Iraq this movie was a hit , and still available at video rent shelfs.not much cgi, Vanessa Angel definitely plays a nice part and she is a very hot one, the scene of fight between her and woody was to much and you can see the sub performing..
At first I was afraid it was going to be too irreverent to the Amish - and there definitely was some of that with Quaid's character, who is made to look like a total dimwit, who has no knowledge of the Bible and is easily led - NO characteristics of an Amish person, BUT the film really isn't mean-spirited and it does show respect for the Amish in a number of scenes.
I'm sure that's apart of the Farrelly humor, but if you're a viewer who doesn't like that kind of humor, it won't be that funny.Bill Murray even has a fairly major role in the story too, playing a bowler named Ernie McCracken.
Woody Harrelson is just brilliant as the one handed Munson, Randy Quaid is excellent as the naive Ishmael, even if he does seem a little old for the role, and Vanessa Angel........enough said!
It is this emotional intensity that makes the extreme scenes so funny; the audience cares about the characters and whatever happens to them.It is the craftsmanship of the Farrelli brothers that made the transition from the humor prior to 'Dumb and Dumber' to today's movie humor so flawless.
Woody Harrelson and Randy Quaid made a superb team, and both were quite moving at times.However, I must mention the extraordinary comic genius of Bill Murray here, as in this film he provided me with what must be one of the funniest scenes in the history of movies -- a very simple gag that was really bound to happen, yet I wasn't expecting it.
He plays a big role in the plot, but Murray's outstanding performance makes him so self-absorbed and bereft of any real humanity that he is almost completely separate from the movie -- there really is no point in him being there, apart from to provide us with enormous laughs and upstage everyone else and all the important things in the film.
IMBD clued me that this was made by the same guys who did "Dumb & Dumber" and "There's Something about Mary." If those two screamers aren't to your taste, you'll be with the critics on "Kingpin." Comedy works differently for different people.Full of truly original humor.
If you can appreciate rapid-fire jokes and shameless attempts to get a laugh out of anything, this is a great film to see.What surprised me about "Kingpin" is that, beneath all the raunchy humor and satire, there is a real story behind it all.
While generally regarded as the weakest of the Farrelly brothers movies to date, which also include Dumb & Dumber, Something About Mary, and Me, Myself & Irene, this movie is far better than it's lack of critical acclaim would lead one to believe.For the most part, this movie has been written off because the story is extraodinarily dark for a comedy.
the tragic character of Roy Munson is genius in itself but the true golden star of this film is Ernie McCracken played by bill Murray.
Kingpin is a film that might not match up to the Farrelly Brothers masterpieces like Dumb and Dumber and There's Something About Mary, but it comes close.
The movie stars Woody Harrelson as a once great bowling champ who's career is ended by an injury to his hand for which he must spend the rest of his life with a hook.
Harrelson, Quaid and even the seductress Vanessa Angel (you might remember her from TV's Weird Science) deliver good laughs, but it is two people who steal the show and make this film utterly hilarious- Bill Murray who gives a new meaning to the word comb-over, and Chris Elliot who gives one of the funniest moments in 90's comedy in a cameo.
The movies is about Roy Munson(Woody Harrelson) a bowler who may just be the best ever for the sport.
After 17 years he meets Ishmael(Randy Quaid) an Amish who secretly bowls at the local shack and of course takes him under his wing the only way the Farrely Brothers know how.
It has the same sense of humor of films like the Naked Gun, and the cast is great.Kingpin is a cleaver movie with a different plot(where did they came up with the idea of making a movie about a former bowling player that nowadays has a rubber hand, teaching an Amish guy to play bowling so they can win a competition that pays 1 million).Definitively one of the greatest comedies I've ever seen.
Randy Quaid is awesome as the unwilling bowling Amish, Woody Harrelson great as his con-man manager and finally Bill Murray is as usual brilliant as the antagonist.
Just like most of the work from the Farrelly-brothers this movie constantly uses cheap tricks and nasty comedy to get laughs from the audience.
Kingpin, starring good ol' woody is probably the funniest comedy of all time.
Woody Harrelson and Randy Quaid make an funny odd couple in this original comedy.
The performances here by Woody Harrelson, Bill Murray, and especially, Randy Quaid as an Amish boy are hilarious.
Roy's career sadly ends when he loses his hand after he tries to cheat the wrong guys.17 years later he finds a real bowling talent, Amish man called Ishmael Boorg (Randy Quaid).They both start bowling together.Soon they are on their way to bowling contest where they can win 1 million dollars.On their way these two dummies meet Claudia (Vanessa Angel) who is a real hottie.Bill Murray plays Ernie McCracken who is Roy's biggest bowler enemy.Bobby and Peter Farrelly's Kingpin from 1996 is a hilarious comedy with great actors.I found myself laughing several times.I think this is an underrated movie.This didn't do so good at box office like the smash hits Dumb and Dumber and There's Something About Mary.The Farrelly bros know how to make you laugh.I recommend Kingpin for everybody with a weird sense of humor..
Roy takes him under his own and trains him to beat his eternal rival on a big tournament.This silly sports adventure is very entertaining and at times hilarious, and the above-mentioned rivals are played by Woody Harrelson and Bill Murray, backed by Randy Quaid in the role of the bowling Amish and Vanessa Angel in the main female role.
Some of he best gags involve Harrelson's rubber hand, the foul mouthed Lin Shaye, Harrelson trying to pass as Amish, Quade getting some cold drinks, and an odd Indecent Proposal sequence involving a cameo by Chris Elliott, but it's really Bill Murray who steal every scene that he's in, whether he's mugging after losing a bowling match, doing a self serving infomercial, or something as small as his bad hair combover, he is absolutely hilarious in what might arguable be his best comedic performance (and that's saying something).
Writer/directors Bobby and Peter Farrelly had previously made the popular (and I believe critically underrated) "Dumb and Dumber," but it was this film that helped pave the way for the slew of raunchy 90s comedies that followed, such as "American Pie," the Farrellys own "There's Something About Mary," all the way up to "Superbad." The 80s certainly had it's fair share of Porky's inspired raunch, but this new generation is a bit more story and character driven than their sleazier 80s counterparts.
The film also benefits from Bill Murray at his funniest, some fun movie references ('The Graduate'; 'Indecent Proposal') and the way the story defies generic expectations and ends with loose ends as the fates of certain characters are not actually germane to the plot.
Woody Harrelson plays Roy Munson, a former tenpin bowling champion who falls on hard times after he loses his right hand following a disagreement/misunderstanding with some thugs.
Believing that Ishmael is the perfect ticket to win the money, Munson befriends Ishmael and the two men set off on a journey that neither man is likely to forget.The Farrelly brothers show in this film (and with the original Dumb and Dumber film) that they could still make films that were funny and fairly good natured.
Yes like Dumb and Dumber some of the humour is a bit crude (it's a Farrelly brothers after all), but for me most of the funny moments revolve around Ishmael's naivety when Munson pulls him into the 'real' world outside of his Amish community.
The supporting cast were also good and Vanessa Angel looks great here.Kingpin plods and drags its heels at times, but it's a fine film with great performances, lots of heart and many very funny moments..
Kingpin is a funny movie with some laugh out loud scenes,a well thought out storyline and some pretty good actors,but I feel the movie goes on a bit,being two hours long and most animated films would only be an hour and a half,and find a lot of the humor to be a bit dry,not the Farrelly brothers finest work.A former bowler named Roy who hasn't bowled for over twenty years meets Ishmael,who is a natural bowler,Roy wants to get him to bowl for some professional games but it is hard to get him to take part because Ishmael is part of an Amish community,Roy eventually gets to Ishmael when pretends to be Amish himself..
I had to watch this movie a few times before I fully appreciated the "once in a lifetime" performances by Harrelson and Murray, and outstanding writing by the Farrelly brothers.This movie, unlike most other comedies I've seen, continually provides genuinely funny moments throughout the entire movie.
Following their success with "Dumb and Dumber", the Farrelly brothers directed "Kingpin", about a mangled bowler (Woody Harrelson) who trains an Amish man (Randy Quaid) to bowl.
Woody Harrelson's funniest role so far, Bill Murray is on that spacebound rocket, Randy Quaid is perfect as the Amish "natural born bowler," and all of them are decorated nicely by the very sexy presence of Vanessa Angel.
Woody Harrelson is brilliant, Randy Quaid is outstanding, Roger Clemens gives an outstanding cameo, but there is no doubt that Bill Murray steals this movie.
I am not a fan of Bowling Movies , however the Farelly Brothers have done a superb job with Kingpin , This movie is so funny I nearly fell off my chair watching it .Woody Harrelson plays Roy Munson , A very promising bowler in the 70s , As you see in the beginning of the film ) , he comes across Ernie Mc Kracken played superbly by Bill Murray , who talks him into betting on a bowling game , they win , however the guys that lose get pretty mad and decide to put Roy's right hand in the ball return , therefore cutting his hand off , Bowling Career Done ?Anyway 17 Years Passes , And Roy is now living in a run down apartment , selling condoms , and dodging his landlady , this leads to some very funny scenes , Than 1 day he meets Ishmail ( played by Randy Quaid ) who is a very promising bowler , and Roy wants to manage him , The story goes on from there , eventually meeting up with Claudia ( played by Vanessa Angel ) , this gives the film a sexual twist .I would highly recommend this film to anyone over 17 .Fox video has just recently released a Director's Cut of this film on Video , with bonus footage not to be missed , If you are a fan of the Farelly Brothers films ( DUMB & DUMBER  & There's Something About MARY , )  You don't want to miss this film !!!!.
The plot is even funny as Roy Munson a one handed star bowler goes along with an amish man and a rich good looking woman to Reno to compete in the Bowling championship.
Bill Murray, Woody Harrelson, and Randy Quaid were the funniest characters throughout the movie especially Bill and Randy as Ernie and Ishmael.
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.
It has since gone on to be one of my favorite comedies and showcases Bill Murray's evil, sarcastic humor at it's finest.Woody Harrelson is Roy Munson a young, up-and-coming bowler who falls foul of 'Big' Ern McCracken (simply by beating him).
Harrelson, a bowler with promise who was robbed of his golden moment, as well as his bowling hand, hits back years later, teaming up with the most likely of partners, an insecure Amish man, played by character actor, Randy Quaid, this unfunny mess of a comedy, not the first film, he's been wasted in.
17 years, and boy do i miss these kind of films, When the Farrelly brothers made great comedy movies.
Bowling legend Roy Munson (Woody Harrelson) loses a hand to a group of drunks after trying to con them with fellow bowler Ernie McCracken (Bill Murray).
This not a film for those who find no humor in stupid, for those who do, "Kingpin" is a very enjoyable film.Woody Harrelson stars as Roy Munson, the 1979 Iowa amateur bowling champion whose life goes south when he gets cheated by Ernie McCracken (Bill Murray) and it costs him his bowling hand.
One day he meets an Amish bowler named Ishmael and offers to teach him to bowl and they head for Reno for the National Bowling Championship.Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid and Bill Murray are as always hilarious.
This is a hillarious comedy,which goes where no comedy has gone before.Nothing is to weird for this comedy.Bill Murray and Woody Harrelson are great in their roles and the story is so simple that it is funny.It is about winning a bowling tournament.
This, "Dumb & Dumber" and "There's Something About Mary" are the Farrelly brothers' GOOD movies.
For some reason, this was the only Farrelly brothers flick NOT to be a big hit.Woody and Bill are at the top of their game, with one hysterical moment after another and knockout Vanessa Angel is even suprisingly good at comedy.If you've never seen it, do yourself a favor and rent it right away.
"Kingpin", which is a Farrelly Brothers film about an Amish bowler, is not only howlingly funny, it's also sick, twisted, and one of the most underrated comedies of recent years.
While not quite up to the lowbrow genius of the Farrelly Brothers' other films ("Dumb and Dumber", "There's Something About Mary"), there's enough crude humor blended with a genuinely engaging story to create a film that's remarkably good.Roy Munson (Woody Harrelson) is a promising young bowling champion who has the audacity to defeat the king of the local lanes, Ernie McCracken  (Bill Murray, in a delightfully sleazy, love-to-hate role).
The more obvious comedy of Woody Harrelson as Munson, and Bill Murray as McCracken, combined with the subtle comical lines of Ishmael played by Randy Quaid, results in non-stop laughs.