Released on July 20, 2007, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry is a comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan, starring Adam Sandler and Kevin James as two New York City firefighters who pretend to be a gay couple to secure domestic partner benefits. The movie was produced by Happy Madison Productions and distributed by Universal Pictures.
The film had a production budget of $85 million and was a commercial success, grossing $187.1 million worldwide. Despite its financial success, the movie received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, holding a 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audiences were more forgiving, giving it a B+ CinemaScore, and the film became a box office hit.
Plot Spoiler
The story follows Chuck Levine (Adam Sandler), a womanizing bachelor, and Larry Valentine (Kevin James), a widowed father. After Larry saves Chuck’s life during a fire rescue, Chuck promises to repay him. Larry, struggling with insurance issues that prevent him from naming his children as beneficiaries, asks Chuck to pose as his domestic partner to secure the benefits. Reluctantly, Chuck agrees, and the two enter a civil union.
Their plan backfires when a suspicious investigator, Clinton Fitzer (Steve Buscemi), begins scrutinizing their relationship. To maintain the ruse, Chuck and Larry stage a wedding in Niagara Falls and move in together. Their lives become increasingly complicated as they face homophobic backlash from their colleagues and community. Meanwhile, Chuck develops feelings for their lawyer, Alex McDonough (Jessica Biel), but cannot act on them without exposing the truth.
In a climactic courtroom scene, their sham marriage is revealed, but their fellow firefighters rally behind them, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and acceptance. The charges against Chuck and Larry are reduced, and the film ends on a positive note, with Larry moving on from his late wife and Chuck pursuing a relationship with Alex.
Success Story
Despite its controversial humor and stereotypes, the film resonated with audiences for its underlying message of friendship, loyalty, and acceptance. Its box office success solidified Adam Sandler and Kevin James as comedy stars, and the movie remains a notable entry in Sandler’s filmography.
