IM BIG-ERNE! (Kingpin (DVD))

Name: themagic_uk

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Product:	Kingpin (DVD)
Date:	29/10/01 (204 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good for comedy fans.

Disadvantages: Not enough of Bill Murray.

Not being a big comedy fan, when I was given this video I wasn’t too bothered about watching it. Yet this movie came from the creators of, ‘Dumb And Dumber’, and ‘There’s Something About Mary’, so I thought that it was worth a look.

The film is based around one main character, Roy Munsen (Woody Harrelson), who from an early age demonstrates a major talent for bowling and becomes the 1979 Amateur State Champion. So the professional tour looms on the horizon, and with the help of bitter rival Ernie McCracken (Bill Murray) he tries to hustle a few extra bucks. Unfortunately it alls goes wrong for Roy who turns from bowling wizard to Captain hook (in other words, his hand is ripped off and replaced by a hook).

The movie jumps 17 years on, and Roy has become a drunken bum, trying to sell unwanted bowling materials. It's then he spots Ishmael (Randy Quaid) in a local bowling alley. Roy thinks Ishmael can become a champion (and make Roy rich). Now Ishmael is from a small troubled Amish community, and takes a little convincing about going to Reno, where the winner will pocket 1 million dollars. During this part of movie, Roy poses as Brother Munsen and joins the Amish community (which does raise a few laughs) and convinces Ishmael to join him on the way to Reno.

The jokes along the way are centred around Ishmael’s lack of knowledge regarding the outside world and his dumb outlook on society. And when Claudia (Vanessa Angel) comes along for the ride after running away from her abusive boyfriend, Roy’s hustling and low-life tricks get the better of him and only his 1979 State Amateur gold ring gains payment into the tournament.

Ernie McCracken after taunting Roy and narrowly missing Ishmael’s fist (leaving him with it broken) gives him no other choice but to enter the tournament and goes through to the final. Waiting for him there is none other than Ernie McCracken, or Big Erne. It was
at this point I thought, if Roy could bowl anyway, why didn’t he? But for the benefit of this movie, forget what I just said.

With Claudia running back to her boyfriend, and Ishmael found by his brother, Roy discovers he is left on his own. And to make matters worse, Big Erne takes the 1 million dollars winner takes all title. Leaving Roy where he began, nowhere.

The movie takes a turn where you think it’s all over. Roy has become a minor celebrity (The Rubber Man), wining a half million-dollar contract to endorse condoms. Claudia walks back into his life, and they give Ishmael’s troubled Amish community the money it needs to survive.

Not a classic by all means, but this movie does have its moments (including a rip-off scene from ‘Indecent Proposal’, but I won’t ruin it for you). I found it a slight disappointment that Ernie McCracken doesn’t play a bigger part, as this was Bill Murray at his very best and may I suggest that all fans of womanising slime-balls watch this movie simply to see this character.

Fans of slapstick comedy and happy endings will not be disappointed. I wouldn’t rush out to buy this movie, but then I’m not a comedy fan. I’m sure that fans of comedy like this will enjoy the movie and add this one to their collection.

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