Movie Review: I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry

Starring:
Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Jessica Biel, Ving Rhames, Dan Aykroyd, Steve Buscemi, Rob Schneider, Nick Swardson

Director:
Dennis Dugan (Happy Gilmore, Problem Child)

Release Date:
July 20 2007

Synopsis:
Firefighters Chuck Ford and Larry Allensworth are guy's guys, loyal to the core, which is why when widower Larry asks Chuck to pose as his gay lover so that he can get domestic partner benefits for his kids, his buddy agrees. Things get dicey, however, when a bureaucrat comes calling, and the boys are forced to present a picture of domestic bliss.

My Two Cents:
I’ve been an Adam Sandler fan since his Saturday Night Live days and have enjoyed most of his films, from Billy Madison to Click. I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry is not his funniest, but it’s funny enough to enjoy on a boring Sunday evening.

The gay jokes never stop, for a single second, but oddly enough the true message of the movie is to treat others with respect and equality. Before pretending to be a gay couple both Chuck and Larry made fun of homosexuals, with Chuck even making fun of Larry’s effeminate son. He’s into stage acting, tap dancing and has a thing for splits. When they are the ones targeted by fellow firefighters, anti-gay activists and pretty much everyone else, they finally understand everyone’s feelings are the same regardless of their sexuality.



Jessica Biel plays Chuck and Larry’s foxy lawyer and Chuck’s love interest, Rob Schneider plays a Japanese minister, Nick Swardson plays the fruity brother of Jessica Biel, Dan Aykroyd plays the NYFD’s captain, Steve Buscemi plays an annoying beneficiary office inspector, Ving Rhames plays a scary newcomer to the firefighter team and Blake Clark plays a crazy homeless man. There are quite a few funny moments and awkward situations, with Ving Rhames’ character stealing the show in a very funny shower scene at the fire department. Kevin James is likeable and very funny, just as he was in Hitch. I hope he pairs up with Adam again in future projects. Cameos include David Spades (Joe Dirt), Rob Corddry (The Daily Show), Rachel Dratch (SNL), Dave Matthews, Dan Patrick, Lance Bass (N-Sync), Tila Tequila, among others.

Score: