Long before they made people laugh with sperm used as hair gel in There's Something About Mary, or the underlying messages within Shallow Hal and Stuck On You, or the sentimental sweetness of Fever Pitch, was an underrated movie called Kingpin. For it's worth at the box office, Kingpin made about as much money as it cost so essentially, the flick bombed at the box office which is unfair. But it seems to have developed a better shelf life on video than it ever did in theaters, which viewers get to see it in all it's gross, unfazed glory.

In a part originally cast with Michael Keaton, Woody Harrelson is Roy Munson, a promising bowler turned boozing never has-been. His last name alone created a term where one has the world in their hand, and they blow it, much like Roy did, thanks to a sleazy rival named Ernie McCracken (an always dependable Bill Murray). A failed bowling supplies salesman with a pot belly, a bad combover, and a sinister landlord, Roy's misfortune turns around when he runs into Ishmael (Randy Quaid), an Amish bowling prodigy whom Roy takes under his wing in hopes of making money and fame. The sad thing is, Roy is no better than Ernie these days, hoping to make a buck off Ishmael and acting like a two bit hustler, although a more sympathetic one. In one of their many hustles, they run into Claudia (drop dead British babe Vanessa Angel), a femme fatale with a heart of gold who joins their journey to the big bowling tournament in Reno.

Kingpin is indeed a disgusting movie such as the image of Roy, post-sex with his landlord, vomiting right into a toilet bowl. The landlord with her greasy, stringy hair and cornbread-colored teeth is just a gruesome sight in herself (Farrelly Brothers regular Lin Shaye), which makes up for an unpleasant viewing experience. You can imagine the trauma Roy has inflicted on himself when he does such a thing, and it doesn't really get any better. That's not to say Kingpin is completely laid over with gross jokes, but there are plenty of them that will disgust even the most hardcore of fans (Ishmael crapping on a urinal, anyone?) But the movie itself is a good movie which even the Farrellys have praised as one of their best works. It covers a lot of ground about people coming together, despite their ulterior motives which change. Roy and Claudia don't agree with each other at first, but soon see eye to eye when they get to know each other, especially for Ishmael's behalf.

The actors all possess a sense of great comic timing that isn't found in many of their other works. Kingpin was one of the few chances Woody Harrelson uses to flex his leading man comedy muscle. The actor has come a long, long way from playing lovable schmuck Woody on Cheers, and he pounces on that opportunity with hard work. It's obvious that Roy is a sleaze but Harrelson's interpretation of Roy isn't just a two bit hustler (which he is), but he's obviously a regretful guy ashamed of the choice he made in his life. Harrelson makes his character three dimensional in that sense, especially with the film's first act when watching Roy in his glory days. As his sidekick, Randy Quaid shows much restraint as Ishmael. Most famously known as the guy who pumped his RV's waste content into the sewer in Christmas Vacation, Quaid does the opposite of that role, to play a sweetly naive person just now, getting exposed to the corruption of the world. But Quaid is funny in the part although, it would've been a little more believable had a younger actor played the part. But evidently, Quaid was the right guy for the job since he has the right comic timing. As Claudia, Vanessa Angel is quite a sight as the bad girl turned good. Watching her onscreen will make you sweat but underneath, Angel makes Claudia another damaged soul seeking a chance at redemption. But aside from all these somewhat nuanced performances is Bill Murray (who has a small role), who exercises absolutely no restraint as the antagonist. Murray's free for all improvisation is practically all here as a corny lowlife who sprouts obnoxious remarks to everyone in his path. For the entire movie, I'd consider Murray to be the total comic relief of the entire movie, and he only appears in the first and third act.

In Kingpin, you may find a lot of the Farrelly Brothers later trademarks about loyalty and friendship. This is a movie that does such a thing with a little sentimentality, some serious gross jokes, but a little more maturity than one might expect.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older