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Movies / On DVD / Bringing Down the House
Bringing Down the House

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Bringing Down the House (2003)

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Reviews Counted:60

Fresh:21

Rotten:39

Average Rating:2.2/10

Consensus: Though the cast shines, they can't save this comedy, which is overly contrived and filled with outdated and offensive racial jokes.

Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins

Genre: Comedies

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... 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]

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

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

Director: Adam Shankman

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

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Reviews for Bringing Down the House

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
01/13/04
Almar Haflidason
Almar Haflidason
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
11/27/08
Entertainment Weekly
N/R

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Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/18/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
N/R

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Full Review Source: Exclaim! | comment Comment
08/03/07
Exclaim!
N/R

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Full Review Source: Audio Video Revolution | comment Comment
04/24/07
Audio Video Revolution

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Full Review Source: CinemaZone.dk | comment Comment
05/02/04
CinemaZone.dk
N/R

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Full Review Source: ComingSoon.net | comment Comment
02/07/04
ComingSoon.net

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Full Review Source: Upcomingdiscs.Com | comment Comment
01/24/04
David Annandale
David Annandale
Upcomingdiscs.Com
N/R

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Full Review Source: DVD.net.au | comment Comment
01/15/04
Martin Friedel
Martin Friedel
DVD.net.au
N/R

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Full Review Source: Modamag.com | comment Comment
11/06/03
Kage Alan
Kage Alan
Modamag.com
N/R

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Full Review Source: DVD Angle | comment Comment
10/02/03
Steve Bates
Steve Bates
DVD Angle
N/R

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Full Review Source: DVD Review.net | comment Comment
09/11/03
DVD Review.net
N/R

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Full Review Source: Dvd-Dweeb.com | comment Comment
09/03/03
Oliver Korioth
Oliver Korioth
Dvd-Dweeb.com
N/R

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Full Review Source: DVD Verdict | comment Comment
09/03/03
Patrick Naugle
Patrick Naugle
DVD Verdict
N/R

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Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
08/27/03
Boxoffice Magazine
N/R

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Full Review Source: CHUD | comment Comment
08/27/03
CHUD
N/R

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Full Review Source: Entertainment Insiders | comment Comment
08/27/03
Entertainment Insiders

The special features available on this DVD are enough to keep fans of this film happy...[but] I can’t help but raise a ‘Eugene Levy’ eyebrow at the crassness of this film.

Full Review Source: DVDFanatic.com | comment Comment
08/22/03
Lisa Zlotnick
Lisa Zlotnick
DVDFanatic.com

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Full Review Source: Dark Horizons | comment Comment
08/17/03
Garth Franklin
Garth Franklin
Dark Horizons

...ultimately, the film becomes a story that is watchable without being memorable.

Full Review Source: Trades | comment Comment
08/17/03
Howard Price
Howard Price
Trades
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for Bringing Down the House

April 27, 2007: Queen Latifah to Star in "All of Me" Remake
Anyone remember a funny old comedy from 1984 called "All of Me"? Steve Martin found himself half-possessed by the ghost of Lily Tomlin? (I actually love this movie.)... More...

March 03, 2006: Travolta & Latifah to Share "Hairspray"
John Travolta and Queen Latifah have signed on to star in New Line Cinema’s upcoming feature film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical "Hairspray," it was announced... More...

December 21, 2005: Critical Consensus: "Dick & Jane" Not Much Fun; "Cheaper" Is Bankrupt
This week's wide releases include a remake ("Fun With Dick and Jane") and a sequel to a remake ("Cheaper By the Dozen 2"). Will critics be laughing at these... More...

September 29, 2005: Shankman Dances His Way Into "Hairspray" Gig
What's a dance choreographer to do after he graduates to the realm of Profitable Director? Why, he goes back to choreography again, which is precisely what Adam Shankman will be... More...

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