The movie's beginning is pure tongue-in-cheek Western, as a mysterious stranger from Akron slouches into town. Stopping in a Pro Shop (the movie's equivalent to a saloon), the disgraced pro bowler Theo Skinner, who has been put on 100 year suspension for bashing the head of a victorious opponent with his bowling ball, asks where he can find the legendary Buzz Fazeli. The stage seems set for a classic showdown between young gunslinger and old. But once he finds the philosophical former champ, Theo reveals that he's the son Buzz never knew he had, and he's hoping Buzz can help him get back on the circuit. The old bowler, grown fat and cynical, won't commit himself just yet.

Something is rotten down in the lanes. Theo finds out that the local kingpin is the slimy Miles Kastle, for whom Buzz runs an illicit dwarf-bowling spectacle after hours. Theo first resists, then succumbs to the charms of Sheila, Kastle's rebellious daughter who compulsively mutilates Barbie and Ken dolls. But the Kastle family saga doesn't stop there, as Sheila's lunatic brother Junior - who's way to fond of his sister - has just escaped from the asylum and won't be happy to find she has a boyfriend.

The cast is ably led by actor Lawton Paseka, who looks like Ricky Nelson gone to seed. Christie MacFadyen is terrific as Sheila, and Mark Alfred is a hoot as Buzz. There are plenty of striking bowling puns by screenwriter Christopher Grimm.

Fianlly, a true independent film! (Rating: 5.00)
Review : Brilliant direction and screenwriting meet a talented cast and what a ride they take us on. A wonderful film handled perfectly. Harrison's eye is laser-like it its ability to suck the truth out of his unique characters. An impressive piece of late 20th American Cinema. Bravo!