Merolliv I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Lucia Ayala It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

haseena_nai_maningi How does a movie from 2003 have the N word and as many racist remarks as it does? It was so uncomfortable to watch. All the references to Aunt Jemima, Sheniqua, welfare... It's despicable.We need better movies.

FlashCallahan Peter Sanderson is a divorced attorney who still loves his ex-wife and can't figure out what he did wrong to make her leave. Peter's trying to move on, and he's smitten with barrister he's been chatting to online. When she comes to his house for their first date, she isn't a lawyer. Instead, it's Charlene, a prison escapee who's proclaiming her innocence and wants Peter to help her clear her name. But Peter wants nothing to do with her, prompting Charlene to turn Peter's perfectly ordered life upside down, jeopardising his efforts to get back with his wife and win a very prolific client.....What could have been just another formulaic comedy about two people who couldn't be more opposite if they tried, is lifted from the mundane thanks to the wonderful performances from Martin, Latifah, and a scene stealing Levy, as the straight laced jive talking wannabe boyfriend.Martin has done this role a dozen times before, and here, he goes for the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it approach', and for a film like this, it's perfectly fine.It's always fun to see the atypical middle class American man become an almost nervous wreck because someone has disrupted his perfect life.And here, Latifah is that someone, and instead of making her the stereotypical loud mouth from the 'hood', the writers have rightfully made her character three dimensional, and very likable to boot.The comedy here sometimes verges on the offensive, for example, Betty Whites character is totally unnecessary as the casual racist, but obviously, the writers wanted her to be more of an ignoramus, rather than how she is depicted, and it just doesn't sit well.Plowright pops up as the potential client, and again, although she is very good, the scene when they are having dinner, stinks of casual racism.I know it's not the writers intentions to make this film quite uncomfortable at times, but the film can laugh at itself on occasion, and the chemistry between the two leads is wonderful.If your a Martin fan, this is a must, he recaptures the magic he had in the eighties, and this could be the last good thing he ever did.

Davis P Bringing Down the House (2003) starring Queen Latifah and Steve Martin is a delightful, funny comedy film. Queen Latifah really does a great job and holds her own as the lead. Steve and Latifah's chemistry is very real in this movie. There are hilarious scenes in this movie to laugh your ass off at! There's a scene with Betty White that is laugh out loud hilarious. And the dinner scene is very funny as well. I really enjoyed the funny dialogue and script. No, this movie is not funny all the time, but it is in certain moments. The movie also teaches very good messages and is sweet and heart warming. I wouldn't exactly call it completely family friendly, but it's most likely alright for 13 and up. So if your kids are in the age range, I would suggest putting it on one family movie night, and enjoying it! 7/10 for bringing down the house (2003).

Python Hyena Bringing Down the House (2003): Dir: Adam Shankman / Cast: Steve Martin, Queen Latifah, Joan Plowright, Eugene Levy, Jean Smart: Deadpan comedy dread about change in both lifestyles and attitudes. Steve Martin plays a lawyer recently separated from his wife so he subdues himself to e-mail chat rooms. He plans a date only to discover that his blonde beauty is really a black felon played by Queen Latifah. She wants Martin to reopen her case involving four years in prison for a crime she did not commit. Routine setup follows formula until it evaporates into a standard climax. Directed by Adam Shankman who previously made A Walk to Remember and the pathetic chick flick The Wedding Planner. This doesn't improve his choice in films despite the talent who chose to waste their time on it. Latifah is a fine actress but she has potential that goes way beyond the routine formula driven predictable drivel she is given here. Martin plays his regular comic routine that worked much better in other films such as Bowfinger and The Jerk. Joan Plowright plays a wealthy client that turns out to be more a plot prop than anything else. Eugene Levy recites his American Pie role only to a much lesser degree. Jean Smart plays Martin's ex-wife and that is about the extent of her role. Routine Martin comedy so pathetically bland that it brings down more than the house. Score: 2 / 10