RENTAL BY FAR!

How bad can it be?

Admit it, that was your first thought when you heard that Adam Sandler and Kevin James were starring in a film about two straight firefighters pretending to be gay so that they could get benefits from the city of New York. Set the cringe deflectors on high, you'd figure, bracing yourself for jokes that would make Isaiah Washington sound like the president of the Anti-Defamation League.

Yet I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry isn't all that good, exactly. But it's not all bad, either - certainly not as bad, nor nearly as offensive, as you'd guess.

One of the strengths of this film, like many comedies, isn’t necessarily the leading cast. Yes, Sandler and James are funny, but it’s the supporting cast and bit parts that really shine. Dan Aykroyd is hilarious as Chuck and Larry’s captain. Steve Buscemi is brilliant in the small part of the city fraud investigator. SNL’s Rachel Dratch has a creepy yet memorable scene early on. However, it’s Nick Swardson and Ving Rhames who really steal the show in their uncomfortably revealing roles and Jessica Biel.

“I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” isn’t perfect by far. Too many scenes fizzle out with stale jokes and bad punch lines. However, when the movie is funny, it is hilarious. And, while it takes on the issues of gay rights, it avoids a preachy tone, which is refreshing to see in a movie nowadays.

Still, you have to realize this film doesn’t treat these issues tenderly. It’s an Adam Sandler movie after all. Expect plenty of crass jokes and low-brow humor. And the gay community might take offense considering the fact that homosexuality is the punch line for the film.

THIS IS A RENTAL

OVERALL
6.5/10

A hilarious, but somewhat offensive 90 minutes

This is an okay movie. Funnier than I expected. Although in the course of the first 15 minutes, or so, it manages to poke fun of obesity, homosexuality and women- all in the typical Adam Sandler style, which of course includes crudeness, stereotypes and a fair amount of T&A. If this type of thing bothers you, you are not going to appreciate this movie. On the flip side, however, Adam Sandler and Kevin James do manage to pull out some hilarious lines, all the guys out there are gonna find Jessica Beil totally hot, Dave Matthews (real-life friend of Sandler) makes an appearance and in the end, the storyline delivers a wonderful story about true friendship and male comroddery.

Chuck (Sandler) and Larry (James)are fearless NYC firefighters. Chuck is (supposed to be) a way hot ladies man (sorry Sandler, but I'm having a little trouble buying it...), Mr. February in the NYC firefighters calendar and a self-proclaimed "whore." Larry is a loving father of 2 children, who has recently lost the love of his life- his wife- to some sort of illness. After a very close call in which Larry saves Chuck's life in a dangerous burned out building Larry begins to worry about what would happen to his children if he should be killed in the line of duty. In response, he devises a plan to form a sham domestic partnership with his best bud Chuck, so that in the event of his death Chuck would be able to care for his children and inherit all of his pension benefits (to benefit his children).

The sham is supposed to take place on paper only, but once it is challenged by the state the two are forced to play out thier partnership in real life to avoid prosection for fraud. The results are a hilarious, but somewhat offensive 90 minutes that I would recommend you rent before you buy. Unless, of course, you are a diehard Sandler fan. If you are, chances are you'll absolutely LOVE this film!

HOT (FAKE) GAY LOVE

What really is funny about this movie is that it refuses to give us any Adam Sandler and Kevin James hot action. And what is even funnier- Kevin James plays the hottie and Adam Sandler stumbles along as the "girl" in the relationship. Oh Yeah-stereotypes are alive and well.
Furthermore- They don't even kiss, it's like- don't worry guys we know your not really gay--- your just playing. It's the typical straight gay friendly cookie cutter mainstream movie with a message.
Chuck and Larry has some really funny moments, which means in Adam Sandler and Happy Madison language--- it will probably offend some group or minority.
This movie is cleverly disguised as a movie with a clear message but it is really just more low-brow humor. It's so low that Larry's son is portrayed as being effeminate.
Jessica Biel is hot- we get it. Her role allows the straight man to feel comfortable seeing this flick as she strips down to her undies.
This film has many flaws but it will really make you laugh. The supporting roles of Ving Rhames and Steve Buscemi helps this average movie limp along.
As the credits role the viewer may think why did I just waste 2 hours of my life on this stinky Adam Sandler movie? Who knows that answer but perhaps Adam Sandler and his Happy Madison movies have at last come to the end of the road.
Who will miss them? Probably nobody- since neither were never that funny or that good in the first place.

Another Great Movie From Adam Sandler But Not His Best!

When this movie was in the theaters my hubby and I missed it, at the time I was really bummed, But after watching it I am glad that we spent $8.95 buying the DVD instead the $35.00 it would have cost us to go to the theater. While Adam Sandler and Kevin James are funny together. The movie just did not make the grade to me as far as Sandler other movies. Even the very funny supporting actors like Dan Aykroyd,Steve Buscemi and Ving Rhames. Could not move the slow moving and some times just plain dull plot line along. And the fact that they tried to make Larry's (Kevin James) son out to be a very gay acting kid did not make the movie any better. And even though Larry is supposed to be still mourning the death of his wife 3 years after she passes away there are no pictures of her, she is not mentioned by her children. At one point Chuck mentions to Larry that Larry has been building a shrine to his late wife by not getting rid of her things, but the only evidence of her being there is her PJ'S hanging in the closet. No pictures of her or the family around the house.
If I had to do it over again I would have rented the movie instead of buying it!