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