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Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid, Vanessa Angel, Bill Murray, Chris Elliott ... see more see more... , William Jordan , Clint Allen , Chris Berman , Hank Brandt , Andre Rosey Brown , George Christy , Willie Garson , Daniel Greene , Googy Gress , Purdence Wright Holmes , Cecile Krevoy , Thomas Lupo , Michele Matheson , Hillary Matthews , Rob Moran , Joshua Nelson , Kevin O'Brien , Mark Roth , Chris Schenkel , Victoria Scott , Lin Shaye , Steven Stabler , Jeffrey Thomas , Richard Tyson , Rachel Wagner , Scott Williams , Rick Barker , Andy Taylor , David Sullivan , John Jordan , Sidney Bartholomew Jr. , Michael Corrente , Jonathan "Earl" Stein , Libby Langdon , Liza , Zen Gesner , David Shackelford , Kim Morgan Greene , Jonathan Richman , Mark Charpentier , Patrick Healy , Lorri Bagley , Mike Cerrone , John-Eliot Jordan , Mike Healey , Jackie Flynn , Sean Gildea , Elizabeth Jordan , Kelsey Jordan , Brian Mone , E. Danny Murphy , Will Rothhaar , Kenny Griswold , Jay W. Yowler , Blues Traveler , Joe David Marcus , Roger Clemens , The Artist Formerly Known As Docky , Sayed Badreya , Jim Ahern , Stephen Alison , Billy Andrade , Jimmy Badstibner , Willie Beauchene , George Bedard , Jim Blake , Parker Bohn III , Rolf Brekke , Michael K. Budge , Susan A. Burig , Aggie Byers , Dave Byers , Jessica Byers , Julie Byers , Tom Byers , Gary Carano , Glenn Carano , Linda Carola , Mike Cavallo , Taryn Chilivis , John Cioffoletti , Kevin Civale , Louis Charles Consolo , Brandon Cook , Ron Cowan , Jimmy D'Andrea , Paul DeWolf , Jon Dennis , Kathy Farrelly , Mariann Farrelly , Nancy Farrelly , Brad Faxon , Herbie Flynn , Clem "Mandingo" Franek , Nancy Frey-Jarecki , Scott Gasbarro , Robin Gau , Steven R. Gehrke , Cynthia Farrelly Gesner , Denverly Grant , Sid Greenbud , Andrew Greenbury , Nicholas Greenbury , Paula Gregg , Christine Hampton , Ryan Heggs , William Heggs , J.J. Hill , Jane Hill , Justin Hromek , Sarah Hughes , Mina Javid , Tommy Jordan , Don Julio , Alfons Kettner , Melinda Kocsis , Joe "Smokey" Krawlicky , David Lane Langford , Tommy Larkins , Tom Leasca , Wallace Lester , Joe Lewis , Pucky Lippincott , Mike Listorti , Stacy Lundin , Jill Lytle , Helen Manfull , Ray McCort , Gordie Merrick , Chris Meyers , Michelle Meyers , Mark Miosky , Beth Mone , Morganna , Terry Mullany , John Neary , Brad Norton , Ron Palumbi Jr. , Danielle Parsons , Mark Pauperas , Randy Pederson , Paul Pelletier , John Popper , Jane Pratt , Steve E. Ranger , Joyce Rover , Herman Santiesteban , Jimmy Shay , Monica Shay , Rose Smith-Lotenero , Chris Spain , Alex Stohn , Mary Stohn , Lisa Stothard , Kipp Stroden , John Stroehman , Brian Stube , Warren Tashjian , Robby Thibeau , Preston Thomas , Gretchen Treser , Urge Overkill , Danielle Valenciano , Brian Voss , Adam I. Wallace , Mark "Chief" Wasler , Bob Weeks , Jodi-Ann Wimer , Shannon Wimer , Joanne Wolfe , John Woodin , Bob Zampano , Steve Tyler

In the '70s, Roy Munsen (Woody Harrelson) was a bowling phenomenon. He was none too sharp about picking friends, though, and the champion he had to beat, "Big Ern," takes him under his supposedly frie... read more read more...ndly wing. Big Ern (Bill Murray) shows him the high-living lifestyle, and induces him to go on the road with him, hustling small-town bowlers. A couple of the men he bilks take exception to the scam, and show their displeasure with Roy by mangling his hand. Twenty years later, Roy (who now has a hook in place of his hand), earns his living as a salesman. On a visit to a bowling alley, he cannot help but notice the incredible talents of an Amish boy, Ishmael (Randy Quaid). Bowling is not part of the Amish lifestyle, but Ishmael occasionally sneaks into the bowling alley and plays a frame or two. Roy takes Ishmael under his wing, and together they begin a quest for bowling success. This comedy is directed by Peter and Robert Farrelly, who also directed Dumb and Dumber. Like those comedies, it contains a lot of gross-out jokes and bathroom humor. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Flixster Users

62% liked it

77,736 ratings

Critics

50% liked it

36 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 53 min.

Directed by: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly

Release Date: July 26, 1996

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DVD Release Date: April 22, 1998

Stats: 2,761 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,761)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    June 2, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    The Farrelly Brothers have made some very memorable comedies. Dumb & Dumber, There's Something About Mary, Me, Myself & Irene to name a few. Kingpin though is one of their best. Kingpin is the story of a once great bowler who due to a con gone awry got his bowling hand cut off, ... read morethus ending his career. Twenty years later, Roy Munson is a down on his luck sales who one day discovers at a bowling alley, a talented Amish bowler. Roy proceeds to take the Amish Boy, Ishmael under his wiong and proceed to make him a bowling champion. Kingpin is a hilarious comedy with some of the funniest gags I've seen in a comedy. Woody Harrelson and Randy Quaid are terrific on screen, and Bill Murray also delivers some laughs in the role of Ernie McCracken. The Farrelly Brothers continue to build on the comedy after their film Dumb & Dumber, but this time, their comedy a lot more confident here than it was with Dumb & Dumber. Dumb & Dumber felt it had to prove something to be a great comedy, but Kaingpin feels more confident about the subject and its actually at times more funny. Dumb & Dumber is a classic, but Kingpin feels like the Farrelly Brothers didn't have to prove themselves as good comedy writers. The comedy here is original , fun, and hilarious. Kingpin is an overlooked Farrelly Brothers film that shouldn't be passed up, Dumb & Dumber was great, but Kingpin is just as worthy a follow up to their classic than anything. Kingpin is an unforgettable comedy with lots of laughs.
  • MizturY0da
    April 26, 2010
    MizturY0da
    how this film can be rated any less than a ten is beyond me. 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. an egotistical, vindictive bowling champ who's only ambitions are to bowl and fondle... read more! the film is chock full with gags and more importantly original ones. the film takes us through the effervescence of young Roy Munson and his god given gift (bowling) and hammers us down with his sad demise. he find solace in booze and ...well more booze until he hits the jackpot with the sound of one strike. through Roy's struggle to climb out of the gutter his tormented past comes back to haunt him and the story evolves into one of courage,friendship and extreme stupidity. the best selling point i can give to people who have yet to indulge is simply this, i very rarely laugh out loud at a film but my sides were in agony after watching this and i think i may of ruptured something.
  • ythelastman89
    January 16, 2010
    ythelastman89
    I've never been a huge fan of this movie, but it's not terrible. I just wasn't crazy about the plot and I think the Farrelly Brothers just went way too overboard with the kooky characters. Bill Murray was hilarious as a villainous bowler and made the movie worthwhile.
  • SirPant
    September 24, 2009
    SirPant
    I?m not a big fan of the Farrelly Brothers but It does have its funny bits all thanks to a good cast! It?s one of their better films.
  • sanjurosamurai
    April 3, 2009
    sanjurosamurai
    a little crude at points for my taste, but hilarious all the same and worth the viewing.
  • FilmFanatik
    September 23, 2008
    FilmFanatik
    An early Farrelly Bros effort, this one has a rather unique comedy storyline.
  • yona71
    February 26, 2008
    yona71
    Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid, and Bill Murray are brilliant in this film about the journey of a has-been bowler.
  • deano
    January 10, 2008
    deano
    Washed-up pro bowler Woody Harrelson is so funny who grooms Amish farmboy Randy Quaid for the "big time" in Reno.
  • DrZeek
    December 2, 2007
    DrZeek
    ESPN Announcer: So Roy, where have you been for the last fifteen years?
    Roy: Well, I uh, well, ya see, I uh... Drinking. Lot a drinking.
    ESPN Announcer: I see. Well, are you still drinking?
    Roy: No. I uh... I put... uh... Why, you buying?

    From the directors of Dumb and Dumber a... read morend There's Something About Mary, this is probably the Farrely Brother's most underrated film. I say that because along with the goofy gross out humor in this movie, it has a great heart, with characters that develop and grow by the end of the film. I am mainly referring to Woody Harrelson. Between killing innocents in Natural Born Killers and sporting a prosthetic hook and a beer gut, the fact that he can humanize these characters is very impressive.

    Harrelson stars as Roy Munson. He starts earlier in his life as a state champion bowler, with the whole world ahead of him. Enter Bill Murray as Big Earnie McCracken, a rival bowler and asshole. Big Ern gets Roy involved in a hustle scam gone wrong, resulting in the loss of Roy's hand.

    17 years later, after much drinking and giving up on life, Roy encounters Ishmael, played by Randy Quaid. He is a young Amish man, who happens to be a good bowler. Roy sees this, and convinces him to go to Reno with him to compete in a bowling championship, with a first prize of one million dollars, which they will split down the middle. This is of course a convenient prize amount, because Ishmael's Amish community needs half a million to save their farm.

    Along the way, the boys meet a hotty, Claudia played by Vanessa Angel, who will help them to make it to Reno through small time betting and scamming.

    As goofy as the plot is, especially when turning to Ishmael's naive senses when experiencing the world for the first time, this movie is a very good character movie, with very good comic performances as well.

    There are many gags throughout this movie, most of them work, some don't, and some come with a punchline much later in the film.

    Next to Harrelson, you have Bill Murray who is only in the beginning and end, but everything he does is hysterical.

    This movie even has a good soundtrack that moves along nicely with the scenes.

    By the end of the movie, the conventions of a sports movie take hold, but in a way, they also don't, which is what makes me like this movie even more during the final ten minutes.

    This is a very funny movie, with a funny cast, some gross-out humor, but still done in good spirit.

    Roy: Thomas can raise a barn, but can he pick up a 7-10 split?
    Ishmael: God blessed my brother to be a good carpenter. It's okay.
    Roy: Yeah, well he blessed you, too, and I'll give you a hint what it is. It's round, has three holes, and you put your fingers into it.
    Ishmael: You leave Rebecca out of this.
  • thmtsang
    August 11, 2007
    thmtsang
    Comedy about Woody and Randy as champion bowlers.

View All Kingpin Reviews

Critic Reviews

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

With maybe 25 belly laughs, the brazenly crude Kingpin is often uproarious, but be forewarned that its creators apparently conceived it underneath a limbo bar. How looow can a funny guilty pleasure go?

Ken Hanke
October 10, 2007
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

The combination of the overkill factor and a basic mean-spiritedness finally sinks it for me. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
October 9, 2007
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

I found the sleazy comedy more tedious than watching an actual bowling match. Full Review

Rob Gonsalves
August 4, 2007
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

Ends up with a seven-ten split between hilariously tasteless and just plain distasteful. Full Review

Steve Crum
April 23, 2007
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

Funny, outrageous, vulgar. The only bowling comedy in memory.

Jon Niccum
September 2, 2005
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World

Crude and hilarious

Jake Euker
March 9, 2004
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)

It's funny in parts in a tasteless, Farrelly Brothers way. Freedy Johnston's incidental music provides one of the 90s most pleasing scores.

Gerry Shamray
July 6, 2003
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland

The Farrelly brothers funniest comedy.

Jeffrey Westhoff
June 18, 2003
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

Has plenty of clever sight gags and outrageous jokes you can't help laughing at, no matter how hard you resist.

John J. Puccio
April 21, 2002
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

...fun, even if most of it is based on cruelty and hardship.

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Facts

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    • Roy Munson: You call this a bowling alley.
    • Ishmael: 10 frames, thats for quakers.
    • Ernie McCracken: Pressure? Yeah there was some pressure, I mean I didn't wanna lose to a guy with a hook.
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Kingpin Trivia

  • What movie is this? An all guts, no glory San Francisco cop becomes determined to find the underworld kingpin that killed the witness in his protection.  Answer »
  • On Kingpin, when Roy throws a strike at his celebration for being the state champion, the seven pin is missing.  Answer »
  • who does Matt search for in Daredevil ?  Answer »
  • In the movie "Kingpin", who plays Roy Munson, Ishmael Boorg, and Claudia?  Answer »
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