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Bringing Down the House, 2003, 105 minutes, Rated PG-13 
By Ramona Prioleau

The combination of intelligence, diligence and a high-powered career can lead to professional success, but also romantic failure. Chief executive officers of the lonely hearts club with little tolerance for the bar scene and unaware of online dating sites like the RightStuff, where membership is restricted to verified individuals with the right pedigree, may happen upon a less discriminating Yahoo chatroom where anyone with an internet connection can enter and adopt a persona that suits their purposes. Enter Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin), an uptight and over-worked attorney, searches the information superhighway for a petite blonde bombshell for romance. However, searching for a love connection on the 'Net can lead to mismatched.com.

 

Legaleagle Peter, emboldened by his online rapport with his chatroom friend Lawyer-girl, takes the next step and plans a dinner by candlelight with this digital dame. Celibate since his divorce, Peter primps his attire and sets a sensuous tone for an evening of romantic bliss. To Peter's surprise, his assumed fair-haired online gal pal is in truth a pen pal and the bronze buxom beauty Charlene (Queen Latifah) who needs criminal representation.  Charlene's clever maneuverings propel the offline relationship of this mismatched duo ostensibly in the interest of expunging her criminal record.

 

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"Bringing Down the House is a fast-paced comedy where the humor taps an unsophisticated vein and draws most frequently on race-baiting and cultural differences. While the jokes at times yield uncomfortable laughter, the film is not without its bright spots. Eugene "you got me straight trippin' boo" Levy as Howie is a delight to watch. Levy's Howie, smitten with the cocoa goddess, macks Charlene with sincerity as well as an adopted hipness that's endearing. Levy didn't have nearly enough screen timeMORE >>>

 


© 2003 Touchstone Pictures
(l. to r.) Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin), Charlene (Queen Latifah) and Howie (Eugene Levy)

 

 

But this is the Queen's domain. Charlene is a multidimensional around-the-way girl who can kick it whatever way the wind is blowing. She teaches the young Georgey to read, defends teen Sarah's honor, and helps Peter find balance in his professional and social life. In her quest to overturn her criminal conviction, Charlene is faced with a cadre of blondes lacking the fortitude to thwart Charlene's aspirations - the staunch racist neighbor; the conservative blue-blooded bigot; the insipid ex-wife and the gold-digging floozy. These flaxen femmes are no match for Charlene who defies, manipulates, embraces and battles. Queen Latifah is a natural in this every-woman role that allows her to display her talents as vamp, vixen, matriarch and maid. The latter may make you cringe because of the inherent stereotype. But, when you're dealing with the Queen, expect that she'll set it off and make someone pay for such a demeaning role-play. M

August 2003

 

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