The marriage bending comedy from Kevin James and Adam Sandler gets a high definition gloss thanks to Sandler having another film coming to theaters. Does high-def make it any funnier or less offensive? Guess not, in fact it’s missing some things.
Larry Valentine (Kevin James) and Chuck Levine (Adam Sandler) are two New York City firefighters. It seems that Larry has been mourning over the death of his wife and has let the time expire to change his benefits so that his kids will be the beneficiaries of his life insurance instead of his deceased wife.
This can only be changed in the event of special circumstances, such as a death or a marriage, so Larry comes up with a scheme. Since same sex benefits have been recently granted to New York City employees, he’ll “marry” Chuck and be able to change those benefits. Since Larry has recently saved his life, Chuck feels obligated to try and help out his buddy.
This is supposed to be a “marriage” on paper only and the two take the jaunt up to Canada to get hitched at an Asian minister’s (Rob Schneider) wedding chapel. However, the government has foreseen such loopholes and the boys get a lawyer named Alex (Jessica Biel) to make sure that their union is recognized.
They soon have to move in together and make their “marriage of convenience” work. This puts a cramp on Chuck’s lifestyle since he’s a horndog and starts to have an attraction to Alex. The city sends around the nosy Clinton Fitzer (Steve Buscemi) to try and catch the boys in the act (or not in the act as the case may be). Soon their union isn’t secret anymore and the boys at the firehouse aren’t really reacting positively towards the happy couple.
I suppose that Chuck and Larry could’ve been a witty take on the state of marriage and gay unions using biting satire. Yet, it decides to take the low road and move toward typical gross out gags and worn jokes. The cast flounders for the most part and don’t add much to their roles beyond their typical performances.
I do suppose you have Jessica Biel in tight clothes for the heterosexuals in the audience, but you also have some stereotype characters that will probably offend homosexuals as well as Asians.
I thought we were moving away from dressing up Caucasians as Orientals, but Rob Schneider (perennial Adam Sandler movie guest star it would appear) gets to gussy up as the owner of a cheesy wedding chapel.
The whole thing is full of cheese, but it’s cheese that’s been left out a little too long and is starting to turn.
What’s more inexcusable is that some of the special features have been jettisoned from this film as it makes its Blu-ray debut. I hate it when that happens. Maybe Schneider ran off with them.
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry is presented in a 1080p anamorphic transfer (1.85:1). Special features include two commentaries. One from director Dennis Dugan and another with Dugan joined by Sandler and James.
There’s also an interactive friendship test and Universal’s U-Control feature. The other releases had deleted scenes, interviews, and more. Those special features don’t show up on this release and those Blu-ray specific (quiz, U-Control) don’t make much of an impression.
As much care as was put into the film was put into the Blu-ray, meaning not much. The comedy is a bit tired but you do get to see Jessica Beal.
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry [Blu-ray] is now available at Amazon . Visit the DVD database for more information.
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