Bringing Down the House | | Cast : | Steve Martin, Queen Latifah, Eugene Levy | | Director : | Adam Shankman | | Studio : | Buena Vista Home Vid | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby | | Released Date : | March 07, 2003 | | DVD Released Date : | September 07, 2004 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), English (Original Language), French (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 07, 2005 | | Summary | Same old same old plot lifted by excellent performances | Content
 | Let me first say that there is not one original idea in the movie. It steals from movies like Uncle Buck, Houseguest and Steve Martin's own Housesitter about the the unwelcome guest moving in and making life better for the main lead and their kids.
The sort of novel idea is that the two main leads don't automatically become a couple (all the ingredients are there like initial trickery to gain access to the lead's life, chemistry but tension, tender reconciliation and the love interest proving themselves to be actually nice under their stone skins). It is interesting that Roger Ebert and a few other critics whine that this does not happen in their reviews, yet he always complains about Hollywood following their typical formula.
Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) is a successful attorney who neglects his kid and his (now divorced) wife Kate (all cute, non-sexy California blondes are named Kate by the way) and has started an internet relationship with a personality named lawyergirl. When they decide to meet, she doesn't appear to a be a thin blonde attorney, but a shapely, black convict. Even worse, Sanderson's neighbor Mrs. Kline (Betty White) is a bigot as well as the sister of his boss. Charlene will not quit and at the end, they reach a comprimise and Peter begins investigating the case with his buddy Howie.
The plot of this case, as you can see is very generic and only seems to happen in Hollywood. Of course, the ex-wife is waiting to come back into the relationship. Of course, the sidekick is ready to pick up female lead since formulaic wise the WASPY old man doesn't suit Charlene. Of course there is a wacky, b!tchy sister that meddles, the uptight hag that needs to be loosened up and of course the kids are messed up with problems that only Charlene can take care of. However, Queen Latifah takes her role with an earnesty that is refreshing to see and those who are Steve Martin fans from the past may like what they see, since his schtick really hasn't changed much over the years. However, his Bulworth routine is hilarious and he dances better than I ever thought he would (gotta see the scene to believe it). However, it is Eugene Levy who gets the laughs because he plays Howie as such a straight character.
If you want a movie that is good for 12 years and up that is no more offensive than what is on TV, then this is a good bet, especially for March break.
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| Rating | | | Date | July 06, 2005 | | Summary | Enjoyable - fun - A- | Content
| This was a pretty good comedy movie; all the acting was good, story-line was good (and funny) Although, i did get bored watching this movie after a short while. This is a very enjoyable comedy, and i think it deserves 4 stars. |
| Rating | | | Date | April 25, 2005 | | Summary | Worth watching - pretty good comedy - C+ | Content
| I was hesitant to rent this movie because of a lot of bad reviews it received - (not all bad though). I was finally talked into renting the DVD. Boy, was I surprised. It actually was funny and I laughed a lot during this movie and that just doesn't happen very often any more with so-called "comedies". So, I enjoyed watching this comedy but it's not for everyone. There may be some people that can't handle the graphic humor that contains a lot of racial and ethnic stereotypes. Queen Latifah, Steve Martin and Eugene Levy all did a great job and I don't think this movie would have been funny without them. I've been a huge Steve Martin fan since I was a teenager but I'm starting to become a Queen Latifah fan too. She's funny and multi-talented. This movie isn't perfect or flawless but it's a pretty good comedy with a great cast and I recommend it only to open-minded people that aren't easily offended. I rate it C+ |
| Rating | | | Date | April 23, 2005 | | Summary | Entertaining, Fun Comedy | Content
| This movie started out and ended funny and great, I was surprised that it was so good. I don't watch many comedies, but this one had me laughing all the way through. Queen Latifah and Steve Martin made a great team for the lead roles in this great movie. Overall, it's wonderful film.
It's about a woman named Charlene who brings humour and fun into a man named Peter's house. He talks to her online every day, but when he meets her, he is surprised that she is a big and colored woman. Charlene has sent him a picture on the internet of a slim, white woman, claiming that she is the woman in the picture. Peter see's that Charlene actually is in the background of the picture, being put into the back of a police car!
Charlene insists that she didn't commit the crime, and she needs Peter to help her out. There are some funny experiences in the movie, featuring Queen Latifah's laid back attitude towards every situation. This is a very funny film. |
| Rating | | | Date | February 13, 2005 | | Summary | Funny | Content
| This is about a lawyer played by Steve Martin who is divorced and ordered a girlfriend of an ad. He is rich and lives in a good neighbourhood. He didnt know that an ex convict (played by Queen Latifah) would turn up at the house and it goes on.
Some funny parts are Steve Martin going into a black club dressed as a gangsta and the posh old white woman in the black club getting drunk and stoned.
Overall it is a funny movie
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