Ever since Sleepless in Seattle, internet dating has grown ever closer to the forefront of “big screen” plots. In Bringing Down the House, the actual online relationship plays only a small part, but its results can only be described as pandemonium.

Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) is an overworked divorced tax attorney who turns to the world of online chat rooms for company. There he meets “Lawyer-girl”, an intelligent criminal law attorney looking for advice for a client. Their relationship grows until one day they decide to meet in person. The surprise waiting on the other side of Peter’s front door is unlike anything he ever could have imagined.

“Lawyer-girl” turns out to be Charlene (Queen Latifah), a convicted felon who has recently escaped from prison in order to convince Peter to help her clear her name. His shock . . . not to mention uptight attitude . . . take over and he tosses her out. Having come on a mission, argument isn’t part of her plan, and she takes Peter’s choice away.

In her time spent under the Sanderson roof, not only does she earn the affection of Peter’s children, she also proves how invaluable she can be to Peter himself. It seems it’s a win-win situation.

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I am never one to be too overconfident about the laughter level of a movie. It usually seems as though the best parts are in the trailer, and the rest is just what gets you from one preview moment to the next. But nonetheless I was looking forward to seeing Bringing Down the House. Steve Martin’s attempts to amuse are usually not my preference, but I couldn’t resist Queen Latifah and . . . come on, I mean, it has Eugene Levy in it.

There were some undeniably comical moments (my husband‘s favorite being the American Pie-like exploding bowel syndrome scene), and while I wasn’t disappointed, it still wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.

It definitely had its up points . . . Eugene Levy, the chemistry between Martin and Queen Latifah who was outstanding in her role as intelligent but down-to-earth slang-spewing home girl from the hood, and . . . oh, did I mention Eugene Levy?

Jean Smart was just . . . there, as usual. Her days at Designing Women have led her to many comedy rolls since, but personally I think that unless she’s given a stand-out part she’s better suited to drama.

On the other hand, Jean Plowright was given a role perfect for her. She plays Mrs. Arness, the wealthy potential client being wooed into signing contracts with Peter. She even has a scene in which she . . . uh, loosens up quite a bit and none too subtly.

And we absolutely cannot forget two valuable seconday characters -- Missi Pyle’s performance as the money-grubbing, snooty socialite whose quest for cash leads her to date men who have to slurp their food. The eternally blonde and clueless yet oh-so-adorable Betty White, the sister of Peter's boss and inevitably nosy neighbor.

There were a couple of parts I could have done without. Okay, catfights are popular, and I can easily admit to enjoying one now and then in a movie . . . if it’s a good one. When a comedy turns a catfight into an embarrassment to the viewer, though, it just ruins the whole thing. I also could have done without the whole “when-I-was-young-this-is-how-we-treated-our-slaves” fond reminiscences of Mrs. Arness. The scene was handled well enough and Charlene’s reactions were, of course, quite entertaining, but . . . I don’t know, I guess it could have just been skipped altogether. At least for the sake of critical reviews (*wink*).

The movie’s outcome was irrefutably predictable, but the majority of them are so that doesn’t necessarily pull the rating down any. It was a good movie with some great actors, and I would have no qualms about recommending it to my friends and family, if for no other reason than the stage-stealing presence of Eugene Levy. (Sorry, just couldn’t resist saying it one more time).


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good Date Movie
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older