Kingpin (1996)
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The story
In 1979, bowling prodigy Roy Munson's career is destroyed when a scheme with rival Ernie McCracken goes wrong, leaving him with a ruined hand. Seventeen years later, Roy is a cynical alcoholic living in Scranton, Pennsylvania. His life changes when he meets Ishmael Boorg, a talented but sheltered Amish man. Recognizing Ishmael's potential, Roy offers to coach him to turn professional. To save Ishmael's family farm from foreclosure, the pair decides to enter a lucrative bowling tournament in Reno, Nevada. They embark on a journey across the country, facing obstacles and personal conflicts along the way.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1979, bowling prodigy Roy Munson's career is ruined after a hustle with rival Ernie McCracken ends with Roy losing his bowling hand. Seventeen years later, Roy is a down-on-his-luck alcoholic in Scranton. He meets Ishmael Boorg, a talented Amish man whose family farm is facing foreclosure. Roy coaches Ishmael to enter a $1 million tournament in Reno. Along the way, they are joined by Claudia, the ex-girlfriend of a violent man named Stanley Osmanski. The group faces various hardships, including a fistfight between Roy and Claudia and a rescue of Ishmael from forced servitude as an exotic dancer. In Reno, they encounter McCracken, who mocks Roy. After Stanley takes Claudia and their money, Ishmael takes Roy's place in the tournament. Roy, using his rubber hand, earns the nickname 'The Rubber Man' and reaches the finals but loses to McCracken by a single pin. Roy eventually accepts responsibility for his life's failures. Claudia returns to Roy, confessing her feelings. Roy gives his endorsement earnings to the Boorgs to save their farm and drives off with Claudia.
- First release year
- 1996
- Runtime (minutes)
- 114
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Peter Farrelly; Bobby Farrelly
- Writers
- Barry Fanaro · writer; Mort Nathan · writer
- Cast and characters
- Woody Harrelson · Roy Munson; Randy Quaid · Ishmael Boorg; Vanessa Angel · Claudia; Bill Murray · Ernie "Big Ern" McCracken; Lin Shaye · Mrs. Dumars; Rob Moran · Stanley Osmanski; Chris Elliott · the gambler; Chris Schenkel · himself
- Genres
- sports comedy; buddy comedy; road movie; slapstick comedy
- Themes
- redemption; failure; moral strength; decency
- Tone and mood
- mixed; crude; mean-spirited; funny
- Premise and plot tags
- buddy comedy; road movie; sports comedy; amputee; alcoholism
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, who criticized its crude and mean-spirited comedy. However, it received some positive endorsements from notable critics like Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel. It was also listed as one of Woody Harrelson's best films by Vulture.
- Production trivia
- Michael Keaton, Chris Farley, and Charles Rocket were considered for the lead roles.; Jim Carrey was the first choice for the role of Ernie McCracken.; The film was shot primarily in and around Pittsburgh, standing in for Scranton, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and Reno, Nevada.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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