mjlower-28991
Steve Martin did this same movie in 1992 with Goldie Hawn. Named HouseSitter I'm not saying that this movie is bad. Not at all it has it's moments, but we've seen it before with a better leading lady.. Of course this one has the prison twist on it, but basically it's the same movie. Now this is just my humble opinion so thank you for reading.
namashi_1
Lets get one thing straight right away: Steve Martin can never be doubted. The Comedic Legend is an actor with tremendous charm & his sense of timing is no news to anyone. And in the 2003 Super-Hit 'Bringing Down The House', the Legend shines, yet again!'Bringing Down The House' Synopsis: When a lonely guy meets a woman on the internet who happens to be in prison, she breaks out to be with him, and proceeds to wreak havoc on his middle-class life.'Bringing Down The House' is a predictable, safe comedy, that goes through the narrative jumps & hiccups. Its mostly Martin's liveliness & command over the screen, that keeps the jokes coming in & the energy intact. Jason Filardi's Screenplay is nicely done, although it would've benefited from better jokes. Adam Shankman's Direction is appropriate. A Special Mention for Queen Latifah, who with Martin, takes part in the silly jokes & delivers a loud, but likable performance. And the on-screen chemistry between Martin & Latifah, is perfect.On the whole, 'Bringing Down The House' certainly works.
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
TheLittleSongbird
That is not to say all of Steve Martin's films are terrible, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, The Jerk, Man with Two Brains and Roxanne were gems, Father of the Bride is better than it is given credit for and the Cheaper By the Dozen movies while deeply flawed were watchable. But for several reasons, Bringing Down the House was just awful. Steve Martin isn't necessarily bad in it, he does try hard, as does Queen Latifah, but their chemistry is badly forced and they are further hampered by an awful script and a predictable story. Eugene Levy is usually excellent but he is wasted here, and the direction is lacklustre too. The film looks okay, with some nice cinematography and scenery, and the soundtrack has its moments that I accept, but the above points and the stereotypes and unintentional yet apparent racism and homophobia really spoil what could have been a decent comedy making it almost unwatchable. 2/10 Bethany Cox
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