BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE
Released: March 7, 2003
This was a huge hit at the box office. But, at what cost for Steve Martin's career? If this is what passes for a Steve Martin comedy, then past offerings like "Sgt. Bilko", "¡Three Amigos!" and "Housesitter" are true comedic genius by comparison. Tax attorney Peter Sanderson (Martin) meets a woman online by the name of Charlene. He expects to meet a blonde haired, blue eyed attorney. What he gets is an African-American woman on the lam from prison (Queen Latifah). Charlene comes to Peter to ask his help in trying to find out who was responsible for framing her for armed robbery. In the meantime she turns his life upside down by introducing him to a side of himself that is much different from the uptight WASP he is. Steve Martin getting down with the homies bares more than a passing resemblence to Warren Beatty in "Bulworth" (1998). Eugene Levy is fine as Martin's sidekick but this one note movie goes on far too long and gets tiring quickly. Also drawn into this "production" is Joan Plowright and Betty White. For good Steve Martin, watch "Bowfinger" or "Grand Canyon". This is just embarrassing.
105 Minutes
Touchstone/Buena Vista