Bringing Down the House ** (2003, Steve Martin, Queen Latifah, Eugene Levy, Joan Plowright, Jean Smart, Betty White) – Classic Movie Review 8811

Director Adam Shankman’s 2003 Bringing Down the House stars Steve Martin, who enjoys his best role and biggest hit in ages as a stuffy tax lawyer, Peter Sanderson, who meets a lot of trouble after he contacts loopy jailbird Charlene Morton (Queen Latifah) on the Internet. She breaks out of prison and forces herself into his life, causing chaos, but becomes his soul mate in learning black culture.

Martin is a scream but even so Latifah steals this funny if dodgy comedy old-style comedy show, though some audiences detected annoying stereotypes, caricatures and even racism in the patchy script by Jason Filardi. The effortlessly funny Eugene Levy is also an asset as Peter’s co-worker, Howie Rottman. Joan Plowright, Jean Smart and Betty White are all also especially welcome.

Also in the cast are Kimberly J Brown, Angus T Jones, Missi Pyle, Michael Rosenbaum, Betty White, Steve Harris, Jim Haynie, Aengus James, Jernard Burks and Matt Lutz.

Martin immediately followed it with another big hit in Cheaper by the Dozen (2003).

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8811

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