Yes, the names James, Sandler, and Buscemi guarantee a few belly laughs, but additional chuckles come from cameos by Rachel Dratch, David Spade, Lance Bass, Dave Matthews, and Dan Patrick. Ving Rhames shines as a masculine, newly-gay firefighter, while Jessica Biel exudes a ton of charm and sex appeal as Sandler’s love interest. Still, as the cast bodes well, the film falls short of expectations.
When the plot spirals into a courtroom trial, Chuck and Larry goes beyond being a vehicle to brew gay gags; it begins to preach tolerance. How is it that a feature can bash gay love one second, and then defend it with pride the next? This is what makes Chuck and Larry more of a movement to build awareness that the word “faggot” is derogatory than a full-fledged comedy.
Sadly, the storyline is a gimmick from beginning to end, and it’s entirely based on a sham. Director Dennis Dugan attaches the same style he used to direct The Benchwarmers and downgrades Chuck and Larry. The bottom-line is this: what could have worked doesn’t. To cheat the world of benefits/insurance is fraud, and to cheat viewers on more than one level is the same.
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