Movie #67 - Kingpin

"A comedy right up your alley."

My wife will definitely disagree with me on this one, but this film is a gem from the Farrelly brothers. The only film of the resume that competes with the acting and cast of this classic is Dumb & Dumber.

Filled with funny quotes and bowling hyjinx, this film follows Roy Munson and Ishmael Boorg, portrayed by the wonderfully contrast of acting skill - Woody Harrelson and Randy Quaid. Munson wants to prove that he can still bowl, while no longer having a right hand. Boorg wants to earn enough money to save his Amish farm.

Mix in the lovely (back in 1996) Vanessa Angel and a clever performance by Bill Murray, you got the making of a great adventure film. The bowling references are what make this film fun. And before they became redundant in films, the slapstick humor and gross sexual references were well placed throughout the script.

Many critics would say that Bill Murray's performance over-shadowed that of Quaid and Harrelson. Although I must agree, the comedic tone was set very early with the cameo appearance of Lin Shaye, who represented Munson's dysfunctional landlady. Shaye is a recognizable actress in other Farrelly comedies such as There's Something About Mary, and yet, her performance just makes you laugh.

I enjoy this film from beginning to end, so whenever I catch it on television, its a treat. Your better off renting this film or purchasing it from the cheap DVD's section as the edited versions really butcher the comedic script and innuendos. The best part of this film comes near the end when Munson and "Big Ern" Ernie McCracken (Murray) square off in the bowling final... what makes these scenes great are the hair sequences. Just make sure you aren't drinking something when you watch those scenes.