I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Dennis Dugan

Writers (WGA):

Barry Fanaro (screenplay) and
Alexander Payne (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

20 heinäkuu 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

They're as straight as can be, but don't tell anyone.

Plot:

Two straight, single Brooklyn firefighters pretend to be a gay couple in order to receive domestic partner benefits. |

Plot Keywords:

Gay | Firefighter | Gay Couple | Homosexual | Shower Scene

Awards:

13 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sun. July 5	10:00 PM	MAX
Fri. July 10	4:45 PM	MAX
Tue. July 14	11:35 AM	MAX

Cast

Adam Sandler	...	Chuck Levine
Kevin James	...	Larry Valentine
Jessica Biel	...	Alex McDonough
Dan Aykroyd	...	Captain Tucker
Ving Rhames	...	Duncan
Steve Buscemi	...	Clint Fitzer
Nicholas Turturro	...	Renaldo Pinera
Allen Covert	...	Steve
Rachel Dratch	...	Benefits Supervisor
Richard Chamberlain	...	Councilman Banks
Nick Swardson	...	Kevin McDonough
Blake Clark	...	Crazy Homeless Man
Mary Pat Gleason	...	Teresa
Matt Winston	...	Glen Aldrich
Lance Bass	...	Band Leader

Also Known As:

Voitte suudella sulhasta (Finland) [fi]

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for crude sexual content throughout, nudity, language and drug references. (re-rated; originally rated R)

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

USA:R (original rating) | Netherlands:12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Canada:PG (British Columbia) | France:U | UK:12A | Ireland:15A | Portugal:M/12 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Germany:12 | South Korea:15 | Sweden:Btl | Finland:K-7 | Australia:M | Singapore:M18 | Argentina:13 | Malaysia:18PL | Taiwan:PG-12 | Philippines:R-13 | USA:PG-13 (edited for re-rating, certificate #43579) | Australia:PG (TV rating) | Norway:10 (TV rating) | Iceland:12 | Iceland:L (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Steve Buscemi was actually a New York City Firefighter before he became an actor.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the trial scene while the firemen are giving reasons why they should be arrested also, Kevin McDonough is already standing up. When its his turn the to speak the camera catches him rising up to speak.

Quotes:

Chuck Levine: Let's go junior high on them.

Movie Connections:

References La cage aux folles (1978)

Soundtrack:

Freedom '90

Meh...

WARNING: I don't know how this film eventually received the PG-13 rating, as there is quite a bit of sexual humor, adult language and male nudity. While for an adult audience this is okay, don't mistakenly think this is a kids movie.

I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK & LARRY is a decent time-passer but not a whole lot more. I think most of the problem is that the film makers could have either played the film straight (so to speak) and tried to make it profound or they could have simply played it for laughs. BUT, trying to do both at the same time (like this movie did) tended to lessen the social commentary as well as take away from what could have been a much funnier film. In other words, playing this middle ground, in hindsight, probably wasn't the best idea. As a result, when the film tried to be serious and make gay-positive assertions, it came off as forced and half-hearted.

Considering that the film came out two years ago by the time I wrote this review and by now there are a bazillion reviews already, I won't summarize the film's plot. Instead, let's focus on what I liked. Sandler and James were both very good in the leads--I have no complaints there other than they tried way too hard to make Sandler some sort of stud. If he were NOT a movie star, there is no way he'd be able to get the girls he got in the film (especially pretty and very young Jessica Biel). Some of the supporting actors were very good. I liked Ving Rhames, Dan Aykroyd, the amazing dancing kid and that crazy dancing hobo. However, a few of the supporting actors sucked. Steve Buscemi's character was a caricature with no depth whatsoever as were all the non-gay positive characters--they were one-dimensional and were more like stereotypes than people. Also, how in the heck did Rob Schneider get away with such an awful and offensive performance?! Having him play a Japanese man (badly) hearkens to the days of Sidney Toler and Warner Oland (both Westerners) playing 'Charlie Chan'. I thought those days of having non-Asians play Asians (very broadly) were over--one of the positive aspects of political correctness. Now it is a little-known fact that Schneider's mother is a Filipino, but he still doesn't look the least bit Japanese and his character was MORE over the top than Peter Lorre's 'Mr. Moto'--and was a lot like Brando's impersonation of a Japanese man in TEAHOUSE OF THE AUGUST MOON or Mickey Rooney's in BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S (ugghh!!). With Schneider's Moe Howard-like wig, thick classes and buck teeth, he simply is a walking stereotype.

Overall, it's a decent time-passer you can watch if you have Showtime. Otherwise, it's very easy to just skip this one.