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I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry

(2007, Rated PG-13, Comedy, Starring Jessica Biel, Adam Sandler, Kevin James)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Typical Sandler comedy overflows with stereotypes.

updated 10.15.08

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • 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).
  • Violence :

    Chuck punches a protesting minister who calls him a "faggot."
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Consumerism:

    Trojan condoms; FDNY (Fire Department of New York)
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Chuck shows an obviously stoned store employee the marijuana joint that started a fire; Chuck and another character drink wine; partygoers drink.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry

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.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • 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?
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See all 40 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer
    Age 11
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    it was super funny, loved it

    i watched this movie and it was hilarious. Some people on this website are way too sensitive about movies. there was maybe one bad part but thats it.that was a hilarious movie.

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative message

    It would be okay or at least 11 year-olds

    Thi movie seems to be okay.Besides the part when the people were protesting the gay guys put one guy paid the price.Jessica Beil is pretty good looking

  3. Teen Reviewer
    Age 15
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 3.0

    OMG it had something disterbing

    it was the werdest thing i EVER saw it was talking about being gay the langwich is a littel dirty

  4. Teen Reviewer
    Age 15
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 3.0

    OMG it had something disterbing

    it was the werdest thing i EVER saw it was talking about being gay the langwich is a littel dirty

  5. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Louisiana
    I rate this title off for age 12 and give it 4.0

    FUNNY!!

    very funny!!! luved it!!!

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