An amateur state bowling champion whose professional aspirations are prematurely dashed when he gets "Munsoned" hopes to ride a new bowling prodigy to success and riches by becoming his mana... Read allAn amateur state bowling champion whose professional aspirations are prematurely dashed when he gets "Munsoned" hopes to ride a new bowling prodigy to success and riches by becoming his manager.An amateur state bowling champion whose professional aspirations are prematurely dashed when he gets "Munsoned" hopes to ride a new bowling prodigy to success and riches by becoming his manager.
- Directors
- Writers
- Stars
- Calvert Munson
- (as Danny Green)
- Directors
- Writers
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Featured reviews
Now this cast was perfect. Anytime you have Randy Quaid in a film you just know the film is going to make you life just by looking at him. Kingpin couldn't have shown this any better as he plays an Amish man who just happens to be amazingly talented at bowling. Woody Harrelson plays a has-been ex-professional bowler who makes a comeback with managing through Randy Quaid. Together they go on a ride across the country making money left and right. 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. Yet it is the writers who so perfectly set up one joke after another. It seems as if the script is so sharp that their are jokes within jokes. The Farrelly brother handle this material so well by virtual unknowns.
As I have said before this is not a great film but I would highly recommend this if your in the mood of watching something spontaneous. It may not be the most technically sound movie ever made or the deepest but I have never laughed so much in life and that in it self is what comedies are about.
The best thing in the film are Woody Harrelson and Bill Murray. Mr. Harrelson plays Roy Munson, the man who love bowling, but through an unfortunate incident, loses his ability to play the sport he was born to play. Woody Harrelson is wonderful in his portrayal of Munson. Bill Murray's role is much smaller, but he does wonders with it. Best of all is the way we see him at the bowling tournament in Reno with his teased hair in disarray.
The rest of the cast is good. Randy Quaid as Ishmael Boorg, gives a funny reading of his naive character. Also the attractive Vanessa Angel plays the woman who has an interest in the game.
"Kingpin" (1996) is a hilarious comedy. Story was good, performances were even better, and script and directing were very good. Its like "Dumb and Dumber" but better. Woody Harrelson and Randy Quaid were terrific together. Supporting cast which includes no other then Bill Murray was more excellent. The premise of this comedy is also a solid gold - its kinda takes itself not so serious but the jokes land because its a hilarious story in itself as well characters are superb - for a comedy.
Overall, "Kingpin" was definitely one of the more memorable comedies from the 90's. Directors really shined here and created something special and unforgettable.
Did you know
- TriviaPeter Farrelly called the film's box-office failure the biggest disappointment of the Farrelly brothers' career, attributing the failure to its release during the 1996 Olympics. Farrelly said it was a crushing blow to their ego. However, he said that six to eight months later, when the film was released on home video, it became a big hit.
- GoofsIn the Reno tournament, Big Ern's foot crosses the foul line as he throws a strike. In tournament play, that would count as a zero and the pins would be reset.
- Quotes
Roy: Morning! I hope you don't mind, I got up a little early, so I took the liberty of milking your cow for you. Yeah, it took a little while to get her warmed up, she sure is a stubborn one. Then, POW, all at once.
[Takes a drink from the bucket]
Mr. Boorg: We don't have a cow. We have a bull.
Roy: I'll brush my teeth.
- Crazy creditsThe Blues Traveler dressed as Amish performing in the final credits.
- Alternate versionsDVD version is rated R and includes some raunchier footage not included in the original PG-13 theatrical version.
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $27,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $25,023,434
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $5,582,079
- Jul 28, 1996
- Gross worldwide
- $25,023,434
- Runtime1 hour 54 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1