WHY IT SHOULDN'T HAVE WORKED Even if there were a market for a star-free sex comedy about a loser on the make, Wedding Crashers had likely deflowered potential viewers a month earlier. Thus, Virgin became yet another big-studio flick given little chance to catch a breeze in the late-August doldrums. Which hurt. (''Ahhh! Kelly Clarkson!'')
WHY IT DID A subtle yet smart marketing campaign (how about that poster?!), strong reviews, and rising star Steve Carell, who helped Virgin earn $109 mil with a sweet portrayal that eschewed camp and creepiness.
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