I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry

Directed by: Dennis Dugan
Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Jessica Biel, Dan Aykroyd, Ving Rhames, Steve Buscemi
Running Time: 1h 50min

A complete waste of time, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry probably didn't even seem funny at the pitch meeting, but got the green light based on the success of the lead actors, and the amazing supporting cast, who should all be sentenced to some sort of community service after giving us this atrocity.

Rarely can films be given demeanor status, but this pathetic "comedy" is a crime against humanity. Not only is it not in the least bit funny, it also manages to insult our intelligence and sensitivity with its ridiculous premise. Imagine, if you will, two firefighters (can't get any more butch than that) who pretend to be gay to receive an insurance policy. Then, to complicate matters, an exhibitionist insurance policy fraud investigator, played swimmingly by Biel, looks into the matter, managing to insult insurance policy investigators and exhibitionists everywhere. At least she looks good while doing it.

Sandler and James, on the other hand, looked pained as they go through the motions, letting sad dialogue fly from their lips, while their eyes scream "Save us". They seem uncomfortable spitting out homophobic jokes, and equally uncomfortable pretending to be gay. Which is fine, because the audience feels equally uncomfortable, wondering if this film wants to be a crass, hateful throwback to a less tolerant time, or a morality lesson on gay rights. Well, that lesson comes too late, after a deluge of homophobic jokes that we were supposed to laugh at (but didn't) at the beginning of the film but now we should feel ashamed that we did because gays are people too. It's as though it wants to have its homophobic cake and eat it too.

Which gets me to why this movie didn't deserve an F. In actuality, i can't honestly remember, having erased most of this film from my mind. However, i think the C+ was redeemed through a good dose of fat jokes, a section of the population that does not yet have advocate groups. In these moments, you do get a sense that Sandler and James could bring a bit of that Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, Spade and Farley magic to the film. Just not this film.

Grade: C+