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MOVIES / ON DVD / BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE
Bringing Down the House

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Bringing Down the House (2003)

34%
29%
43%
N/A
N/A
N/A
34 %
Reviews Counted: 145 Fresh: 49  Rotten:96 Average Rating: 4.7/10
 
Consensus: Though the cast shines, they can't save this comedy, which is overly contrived and filled with outdated and offensive racial jokes.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins

Synopsis: Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) is a divorced workaholic L.A. lawyer trying to forget his ex-wife (Jean Smart). Successful but lonely, Peter falls for an online chat buddy and is eager to meet his dream girl, until he meets the real woman behind the screen name and realizes she is nothing like he... Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) is a divorced workaholic L.A. lawyer trying to forget his ex-wife (Jean Smart). Successful but lonely, Peter falls for an online chat buddy and is eager to meet his dream girl, until he meets the real woman behind the screen name and realizes she is nothing like he thought. Instead of a svelte blonde businesswoman he comes face to face with Charlene Morton (Queen Latifah), a sassy African-American ex-con who is eager to infiltrate Peter's stereotypically uptight white suburban world. Charlene wants Peter to defend her and prove she's innocent of a crime that she didn't commit but Peter wants nothing to do with the fast-talking homegirl. However, Peter's geeky best friend Howie (Eugene Levy) feels different and begins to woo the voluptuous diva with "hip" street lingo and hysterically deadpan come-ons. Soon enough, Charlene is shacked up in Peter's palatial estate, throwing wild parties, and opening his eyes to life, love and infectious freedom. Steve Martin and Queen Latifah are a fresh and dynamic comic team in this hysterical spin on the black-white buddy comedy that is a mixture of PRETTY WOMAN and THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR. [More]

Genre: Comedies

Starring: Queen Latifah, Steve Martin, Eugene Levy, Jean Smart, Betty White

Director: Adam Shankman
Screenwriter: Jason Filardi
Producer: David Hoberman, Ashok Amritraj
Composer: Lalo Schifrin

DVD Info

Release:

Jun 11, 2003

[DVD Details]

DVD Features:

  • Notes: EZ-D DVDs play for only 48 hours once the package is opened.
  • Region 1
  • Keep Case
  • Pan & Scan - 1.33

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 - English

Additional Release Material:

  • Deleted Scenes
  • Outtakes
  • Audio Commentary - 1. Adam Shankman - Director, Jason Filardi - Screenwriter
  • Featurette - 1. BREAKIN' DOWN BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE
  • 2. GODFATHER OF HOP
  • Trailers
  • Music Video - 1. Queen Latifah - "Better Than The Rest"

Interactive Features:

  • Scene Access
  • Interactive Menus

Reviews

 
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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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2/5

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Full Review | comment Comment
12/30/06
Empire Magazine
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N/R

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06/24/06
Time Out
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N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
07/08/03
Guardian [UK]
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N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
06/12/03
This is London
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Ratings Image
2/5

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Full Review | comment Comment
05/31/03
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon
Ratings Image
3/5

The friction between [Martin's] button-down lawyer, Peter Sanderson, and ghetto-fabulous fugitive Charlene Morton (Queen Latifah) produces dazzling comic sparks in an otherwise stale set-up.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/15/03
Stella Papamichael
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
03/16/03
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
07/01/08
Todd McCarthy
Variety
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Ratings Image
4/5

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Full Review | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
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Ratings Image
4/10

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Full Review | comment Comment
10/07/04
Tony Medley
tonymedley.com
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
05/19/04
Jeff Strickler
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Ratings Image
2/4

If you've seen the commercials for Bringing Down the House, you already know the movie's best moments and most memorable lines...

Full Review | comment Comment
01/06/04
Greg Maki
Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)
Ratings Image
B+

Irreverent but perhaps not funny enough, “Bringing Down the House” gives Queen Latifah the chance to shine opposite Steve Martin.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/07/03
David Foucher
EDGE Boston
Ratings Image
6.5/10

Steve Martin, Queen Latifah, and Eugene Levy manage to squeeze laughs out of a totally generic, manufactured script that's drowning in odd couple formula.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/09/03
Andrew Manning
Radio Free Entertainment
Ratings Image
2.5/5

It's completely forgettable and unoriginal, but it might make a good rental on a slow family movie night.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/06/03
Josh Bell
Las Vegas Weekly
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
08/13/03
Bob Bloom
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Ratings Image
2.5/4

...manages to remain entertaining in spite of the lackluster script.

Full Review | comment Comment
08/01/03
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
Ratings Image
4/10

Steve Martin used to be a wild and crazy guy. Now he's as bland as his hair.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/25/03
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com
Ratings Image
1/5

Qualquer filme que tente provocar risos através de animais vestidos com 'roupas engraçadas' está claramente ciente de suas deficiências.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/24/03
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena
Ratings Image
C

Kudos to Steve Martin for choosing this script. He's laughing all the way to the bank. The audience isn't as lucky.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/10/03
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope
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Related Forums

REEL_REVIEWER
BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE brings up the laughs thanks to rising star Queen Latifah!!!
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/11


REEL_REVIEWER
BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE brings up the laughs thanks to rising star Queen Latifah!!!
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/11


REEL_REVIEWER
BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE brings up the laughs thanks to rising star Queen Latifah!!!
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/11


REEL_REVIEWER
BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE brings up the laughs thanks to rising star Queen Latifah!!!
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/11


Be yourself.
by: Connie McKmovie 10/10/03
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• Bringing Down the House at Rotten Tomatoes
• Bringing Down the House at IGN
• Bringing Down the House at AskMen
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