Iffy for 15+
Typical Sandler comedy overflows with stereotypes.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this movie was originally rated R and had to be resubmitted to earn its PG-13 rating. As with many Sandler movies, the jokes make fun of people -- in this case, mostly homosexuals and the obese. It's 90 percent lowbrow shenanigans and 10 percent heart, with an oversimplified message that discrimination is bad and tolerance is good. (Also good: best friends who would do anything for each other.) Expect raunchy setups (Sandler plays a womanizing, "hot" fireman who can apparently bed five women at once), tired stereotypes (the firefighters look horrified when they accidentally drop the soap in a butt-baring shower scene), and strong language ("s--t," "dick," etc.). Even if tweens and younger teens are Sandler fans, they may be too young to separate the juvenile jokes from the underlying do-good message.
- Families can talk about the issues raised by the film -- particularly discrimination. Why do Chuck and Larry's firefighter friends start treating them differently once they're outed as a couple? What do Chuck and Larry learn about homophobia? Do the stereotypes in the movie (about gay people, overweight people, and Asians) detract from its intended message? Is it OK to use hate words in comedies? What would you have done differently if you were making this movie?
The good stuff
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Messages: Many, many gay and fat jokes. Before Chuck realizes firsthand how homosexuals are discriminated against, he's the first to say hateful words about homosexuality; later he changes his tune -- as do the rest of the firefighters. But there's no redeeming the movie's painful Asian stereotypes, which take the form of a Canadian wedding chapel owner (it's obviously Rob Schneider dressed as an East Asian man).
What to watch for
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Violence: Chuck punches a protesting minister who calls him a "faggot."
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Sex: Chuck is known as a womanizer; he has five lingerie-clad girlfriends spending the night. He makes twin sisters kiss each other (off screen -- viewers see the firefighters' reactions). A woman discusses how "freaky" she can get in bed. Firefighters' bare buttocks are visible in a fairly long shower scene. Many jokes about all the "hot gay sex" Chuck and Larry are having while they're pretending to be a couple. Chuck receives pornographic material (a blow-up doll, brown paper packages marked "explicit," Trojan XL condoms case, etc.) in the mail. A calendar shows hetero men in homosexual poses.
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Language: Homosexual hate words like "faggot" and "fag" are used for the first half of the movie; later, a character explains why it's insensitive to use those words. Other curse words include "ass," "a--hole," "s--t," "bitch," "whore," "dick," "fatboy," etc.
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Consumerism: Trojan condoms
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Chuck shows an obviously stoned store employee the marijuana joint that started a fire; Chuck and another character drink wine; partygoers drink.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Not What I expected....but in a good way! by SI_MVB
Hi I'm Bob..umm
I went into this movie thinking it was going to be some uber comedy but it ended up being very entertaining in a different way than expected. It had some depth rather than just pointing out the funny things about the gay community. It was well worth my time.
1
An immature piece of garbage. Grow up people! by carsonnik
This movie, like most comedies these days, is completely offensive and humor-less. The movie is full of sex jokes, asian stereotype jokes, and fat jokes. Is this what a comedy needs to be funny these days? Can't writers think of new ideas? (Wow, a fat guy lands on Sandler and farts in his face! Hilarious!) Oh, and of course let's not forget the "guy drops soap in the shower and is afraid to pick it up because he's afraid of getting raped" joke. I could go on about other taste-less jokes in the movie. Sandler's usual frat pack pays the audience a visit as well. I enjoyed seeing Steve Buscemi in the movie, however, even though he should be using his talents in other roles. Bottom line, if you're an immature teenager who loves garbage-filled comedies, then by all means go and watch the movie.
5
I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry by pkcarn24
If you want a good laugh this is the movie to go see. This movie will keep you laughing through out the whole movie. Funny but also had a good story and a good lesson for all. I would highly recommend this movie. Laughing is very good for everyone lets you relieve the stress that life gives us and this is the movie to do just that.
4
Funny! by AJWalsh8
Its tough to imagine Sandler as a ladies man but overall a funny movie. Kevin James' kids in the movie are hilarious and seeing Dave Matthews play a gay guy was quite the suprise. Its not in the same category as a Billy Madison or Happy Gilmore but James and Sandler had me laughing the entire time.
5
I Now Prounouce You Chuck And Larry by Movie Freak10
How Could People Say This Movie Is Bad!!!!! This Movie Is Hilarious Its So Funny That I Might Go See It Again Because Some People Were Laughing So Hard I Missed Some Lines!!!!!!!!!!!!! Adam And Kevin Are Two Of The Funniest Guys Ever I Mean You Know That So Definetly Go See Chuck And Larry In Theatres!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5
AWSOME by spartan87
I went and saw this movie today and it thought it was hilarious there were a few stupid jokes but overall i thuoght it was great, and i definatly agree with mrodrz1979. That person is tottaly right, normally when you see a movie you know what your going to see so when you get all offended by the story line or the characters, remember you didnt have to go see it.
3
Fandango, best stop promoters from planting reviews before it hits CNN by Cynth
IMHO the movie is So So and we are getting hyped. Anyone can submit multiple reviews via fake email addresses so anyone can flood this site. Can movie promoters resist this? Let’s check. The reviewers most likely to be real are those who have supplied credible reviews over a period of several months. When I clicked on each reviewer on several pages of “Must Go” reviews, I found none that had credible multi-month histories. Next I tried it on “So So” reviews. A high percentage of them had credible multi-month histories. Since the movie IS “So So” it makes sense that that is where the credible reviewers would be found. And the flood of “Must Go” reviews? I’m thinking mostly commercial hype. You can check both cases yourself. It’s actually hard to get to the “So So” reviews, you have to sort by Average Fan Rating twice, then jump forward about 15 pages. Or you can paste this address to go right to them: ***fandango.com/inowpronounceyouchuckandlarry_98262/readuserreviews?pn=15&sort=0
2
A sermon from Sandler? by inpcl
I guess Adam is getting too old. I went to see what I thought would be a funny movie that wasn't very funny, and instead got a morality lesson. First, if I wanted someone to tell me how to think and run my life, I'd go visit my Grandma. Second, I already know better than to make the kind of jokes about Gays this movie does. Adam, you are a moral retard. Next time, how about sticking to laughs and forget the preaching?
1
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry by Fred_Thompson
This movie is very disappointing. In the producers effort not to offend the homosexual community, they have succeded once again in bashing the Christian Church as being narrow-minded. When in reality the are discriminating against our religious freedoms. They protrayed Christians as being weirdos and a bunch of men dressed as women as normal. What is wrong with that picture. I will not waste my money again on such trash as this!!!!!!