Bringing Down The House
After seeing commercials for Novocaine last year, I thought Steve Martin's career was going the right way to being washed-up. It would have been a shame considering he was one of the most successful stand-up comedians to parlay his comedic talent into a lucrative film career. In addition to "wild and crazy" films such as The Jerk, Martin has succeeded in more dramatic roles in Parenthood and A Simple Twist of Fate. Regardless, I was proven wrong about the future of Martin's career by his latest comedy, Bringing Down the House, in which he brings his A-game.
Peter Sanderson is one of the best tax attorneys in the office, but workaholism has cost him his marriage. Lonely Peter meets another attorney, Charlene, in a chat room, and a friendship develops. Soon, Peter arranges a date with Charlene at his house. He has dinner and a romantic environment set up perfectly. The doorbell rings. Expecting a thin, blonde, white woman, Peter opens the door to see a full-figured, black woman (Queen Latifah).
After both parties offer a series of proposals (read: threats and blackmails), Charlene and Peter reach a mutually satisfying agreement. Charlene went to prison for armed robbery, but she professes her innocence. The deal is that she will never bother Peter again after he expunges the false charge from her record. Until that happens, uptight Peter must keep free-spirit Charlene from wrecking his life.
The comedic cast is one of the best in recent times. Steve Martin gets to play it straight for most of the film, but he goes back to his wacky roots in the climatic scene. There are few things funnier than a 57-year old, white, male actor talking jive. Howie Rosenthal AKA Freak Boy (Eugene Levy, American Pie) is also in top comedic form as Peter's colleague, who has a serious case of jungle fever. "Golden Girl" Betty White earns more than her fair share of laughs as Peter's prejudiced neighbor. White's shock-value humor was also effective in 1999's Lake Placid. Saving the best for last, Queen Latifah is the true highlight of the show. Her sassy, keeping-it-real brand of comedy is reminiscent of a younger Whoopi Goldberg.
There are some aspects of BDTH, however, that will be keeping it off future American Film Institute Top 100 lists. The pacing is inconsistent, and the story is weak. One scene tries to make a joke out of an attempted sexual assault. Lastly, there is an excessive number of fighting scenes, considering the genre and the rating (PG-13).
Thanks to the talents of Martin and Latifah, Bringing Down the House will entertain both European and African audiences. Actually, having an active sense of humor will make the most difference in your level of enjoyment.
Send any comments/ feedback to the author.
The scene with the line "I hope you like cham . . . poo!" will make you laugh and want to drink some French suds.
The story line promotes interracial dating, but it doesn't put online relationships in a flattering light.
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