Preamble
Sneak Peak time! Seeing the trailers for Bringing Down The House, it just looked too incredibly funny not to see. Was it worth it?
The Story
Tax attorney Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) is a divorced man with two children, Sarah (Kimberly J. Brown) and Georgey (Angus T. Jones). When he's not working on another dull case with fellow attorney and friend, Howie Rosenthal (Eugene Levy), he's on the computer, instant messaging with someone who calls herself, "lawyer-girl". They get on fabulously. She sends him a photo (gosh! She's a gorgeous, smart-looking blonde!) of herself and he is instantly smitten with her.
When "lawyer-girl" shows up one evening, she isn't the kind of woman that Peter was expecting. Charlene (Queen Latifah) is big, black, and an ex-con who was incarcerated for armed robbery. Even though Peter is a tax attorney, Charlene has faith that he can get her case turned around. She didn't commit the crime - just served the time.
At the same time that Peter is trying to help Charlene, he's also trying to win the account of a very wealthy, elderly, heiress - Mrs. Arness (Joan Plowright). She's an extreme penny pincher and is certain that everyone is after her money.
Then there's the matter of his ex-wife, Kate (Jean Smart). He just doesn't seem to be over her.
Whew! This guy has a lot of things to deal with.
Will Peter help Charlene?
Will Peter ever get back with his ex-wife?
Will Charlene be vindicated?
All this and more, will be revealed should you choose to see the movie.
The Scoop
Let's get this straight. The story was predictable. No surprises. That was okay with me because a movie doesn't have to surprise me to work for me.
I love Steve Martin for his work in comedy. The last time I laughed at a role he was in was when he played George Banks in Father of the Bride II. Since then, I have been craving his return to a comedic role. It wasn't what I expected but I wasn't disappointed. His high points in the movie were his break-dancing routines (choreographed by J-Lo's ex) and his interactions with Eugene Levy. I don't blame Steve for not shining more in this movie. I blame Mr. Shankman.
And speaking of director Adam Shankman (known for his work on The Wedding Planner and A Walk To Remember)... he was all over the place with the story. Based upon the trailer, I was under the impression that the story's main focus was going to be on getting Steve Martin and Jean Smart back together. Sure, that was an element of it, but it really wasn't the focus.
The focus? Again, I'm not clear. We had lots of little story lines going on. One, with Charlene trying to avenge her sentence. Another with Howie lusting after Charlene. Another with Peter trying to win the account of Mrs. Arness. Another with Peter's ex-sister-in-law. Another with Peter's daughter and all of her sneaking around.
Mr. Shankman pieced together a movie instead of making it flow from beginning to end like he did with his two previous efforts.
Still, it isn't a bad movie. I'd rate it 3-3.5 stars simply for the humor.
I liked Queen Latifah in her role as good buddy, Francine in Brown Sugar. In her role as Charlene, I saw a different, less serious side of her that I enjoyed. Her chemistry with Eugene Levy was priceless. Shoot. I wish the movie was just about these two.
Canadian Eugene Levy stole the show. I swear, how the man kept a straight face while talking street to Queen Latifah, I'll never understand. Even though you see a lot of his lines in the trailer, I promise you that they'll be just as funny when you see them in the movie.
Jean Smart has such a tiny role that you really can't distinguish her part from any other parts she's played.
Bringing Down The House is rated PG-13 for language, sexual humor and drug material. Parents, it does seem to have a lot of references to the latter two but I'm not sure if seeing this movie is any more harmful then what a kid sees on primetime television.
The hilarious Steve Martin (Father Of The Bride) and Academy Award-nominee Queen Latifah (Best Supporting Actress, 2002, Chicago) star with Eugene Lev...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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