Kingpin MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -2

The directors of "Dumb and Dumber" bring their crude and questionable humor to the world of bowling. Roy Munson (Woody Harrelson) is a promising young pin knocker when he wins his first pro tournament in 1979. But rival Ernie McCracken (Bill Murray) talks him into joining in on a hustle, then abandons Munson to an angry mob that mangles Roy's bowling hand in a ball return machine. Seventeen years later the one-handed Munson is a struggling bowling supply salesman when he discovers Ishmael (Randy Quaid), an Amish man with a talent for throwing strikes. Roy talks him into competing in a lucrative tournament in Nevada. The pair shares a wild road trip, using Ishmael's abilities to scam people. Along the way Munson's influence begins to corrupt his virtuous partner. They add another accomplice, Claudia (Vanessa Angel), who uses her voluptuous body to distract other bowlers. When they arrive at the tournament, Roy comes face-to-face with McCracken, now an arrogant bowling star. Murray's exaggerated performance is the funniest thing in KINGPIN. Unfortunately, the film frequently resorts to low-life characters and vulgar comedy to try and find laughs. Mature viewers will find it more foul than funny.

The story line has a smidgen of virtue, as Roy finds some respectability after years on the skids. Unfortunately, it serves as the launching pad for crude and sexually suggestive humor. To pay the rent, it's implied that Roy has sex with his filthy landlady. Two strip club scenes feature scantily clad women, and even Ishmael dances in a bikini. In a daydream Roy imagines a man offering money to have sex with Ishmael. Claudia wears tight, revealing clothes. Amish characters are mostly treated with respect, although one elderly woman with a beard is used for visual humor. A priest is shown in a comical but demeaning scene where he gambles, drinks and uses an obscene word. Language is abominable, with dozens of crudities and obscenities, including 20 "s-words" and two regular profanities. KINGPIN may be shooting for a strike, but its humor often finds the gutter instead

Preview Reviewer: Mark Perry
Distributor: MGM/UA, 2500 Broadway St., Santa Monica, CA 90404