'Chuck and Larry' rules box-office

'Chuck and Larry' rules box-office
LOS ANGELES - "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry", the comedy film with gay undertones topped box-office charts over the weekend grossing collections of $34.8 million. The film, which stars Adam Sandler and Kevin James, charmed moviegoers to such an extent that the latest Harry Potter flick had to be content with the second spot.

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" dropped to the second place with collections of $32.2 million even as the seventh and final book of the boy wizard hit stores this week. But the main talking point was the success of Chuck and Larry. Sandler and James play heterosexual firefighters who decide to pose as a gay couple so they could reap benefits under the domestic partners scheme.

Universal Pictures, the distributor for "Chuck and Larry," expressed delight at this astounding opening. "Adam has a huge, broad fan base. Everything seemed to click," said Nikki Rocco, president of domestic distribution at the company.

"Hairspray" which has John Travolta cross-dressing was at the third spot this weekend grossing $27.8 million. Animated action movie "Transformers," was on the fourth spot with collections of $20.7 million, while "Ratatouille" took the fifth spot with $11 million in ticket sales.

"Live Free or Die Hard" was on the sixth place with collections of $7.3 million. Other films in the top 10 were “License to Wed," "1408," "Evan Almighty," and "Knocked Up."