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Movies / On DVD / Bringing Down the House
Bringing Down the House

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Bringing Down the House (2003)

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34 %
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Reviews Counted: 145

Fresh: 49

Rotten:96

Average Rating: 4.7/10

Consensus: Though the cast shines, they can't save this comedy, which is overly contrived and filled with outdated and offensive racial jokes.

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for language, sexual humor and drug material

Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release: Mar 7, 2003 Wide

Box Office: $132,541,238

Synopsis: Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) is a divorced workaholic L.A. lawyer trying to forget his ex-wife (Jean Smart). Successful but lonely, Peter falls for an online chat buddy and is eager to meet his dream girl, until he meets the real woman... Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) is a divorced workaholic L.A. lawyer trying to forget his ex-wife (Jean Smart). Successful but lonely, Peter falls for an online chat buddy and is eager to meet his dream girl, until he meets the real woman behind the screen name and realizes she is nothing like he thought. Instead of a svelte blonde businesswoman he comes face to face with Charlene Morton (Queen Latifah), a sassy African-American ex-con who is eager to infiltrate Peter's stereotypically uptight white suburban world. Charlene wants Peter to defend her and prove she's innocent of a crime that she didn't commit but Peter wants nothing to do with the fast-talking homegirl. However, Peter's geeky best friend Howie (Eugene Levy) feels different and begins to woo the voluptuous diva with "hip" street lingo and hysterically deadpan come-ons. Soon enough, Charlene is shacked up in Peter's palatial estate, throwing wild parties, and opening his eyes to life, love and infectious freedom. Steve Martin and Queen Latifah are a fresh and dynamic comic team in this hysterical spin on the black-white buddy comedy that is a mixture of PRETTY WOMAN and THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR. [More]

Starring: Queen Latifah, Steve Martin, Eugene Levy, Jean Smart

Starring: Queen Latifah, Steve Martin, Eugene Levy, Jean Smart, Betty White, Joan Plowright

Director: Adam Shankman

Director: Adam Shankman
Screenwriter: Jason Filardi
Producer: David Hoberman, Ashok Amritraj
Composer: Lalo Schifrin
Studio: Touchstone Pictures

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DVD Info

 
 
 
 
Release:

Nov 6, 2003

[DVD Details]
 
 

DVD Features:

  • Notes: EZ-D DVDs play for only 48 hours once the package is opened.
  • Region 1
  • Keep Case
  • Pan & Scan - 1.33

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 - English

Additional Release Material:

  • Deleted Scenes
  • Outtakes
  • Audio Commentary - 1. Adam Shankman - Director, Jason Filardi - Screenwriter
  • Featurette - 1. BREAKIN' DOWN BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE
  • 2. GODFATHER OF HOP
  • Trailers
  • Music Video - 1. Queen Latifah - "Better Than The Rest"

Interactive Features:

  • Scene Access
  • Interactive Menus

Reviews for Bringing Down the House

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/18/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
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Ratings Image

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Full Review Source: Dark Horizons | comment Comment
03/23/03
Garth Franklin
Dark Horizons
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
07/01/08
Todd McCarthy
Variety
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Ratings Image

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Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/30/06
Empire Magazine
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
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Ratings Image

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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
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Full Review Source: tonymedley.com | comment Comment
10/07/04
Tony Medley
tonymedley.com
N/R

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Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
05/19/04
Jeff Strickler
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Ratings Image

If you've seen the commercials for Bringing Down the House, you already know the movie's best moments and most memorable lines...

Full Review Source: Star-Democrat (Easton, MD) | comment Comment
01/06/04
Greg Maki
Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)
Ratings Image

Irreverent but perhaps not funny enough, “Bringing Down the House” gives Queen Latifah the chance to shine opposite Steve Martin.

Full Review Source: EDGE Boston | comment Comment
10/07/03
David Foucher
EDGE Boston
Ratings Image

Steve Martin, Queen Latifah, and Eugene Levy manage to squeeze laughs out of a totally generic, manufactured script that's drowning in odd couple formula.

Full Review Source: Radio Free Entertainment | comment Comment
09/09/03
Andrew Manning
Radio Free Entertainment
Ratings Image

It's completely forgettable and unoriginal, but it might make a good rental on a slow family movie night.

Full Review Source: Las Vegas Weekly | comment Comment
09/06/03
Josh Bell
Las Vegas Weekly
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN) | comment Comment
08/13/03
Bob Bloom
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Ratings Image

...manages to remain entertaining in spite of the lackluster script.

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
08/01/03
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
Ratings Image

Steve Martin used to be a wild and crazy guy. Now he's as bland as his hair.

Full Review Source: DVDTown.com | comment Comment
07/25/03
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com
Ratings Image

Qualquer filme que tente provocar risos através de animais vestidos com 'roupas engraçadas' está claramente ciente de suas deficiências.

Full Review Source: Cinema em Cena | comment Comment
07/24/03
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena
N/R

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Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
07/08/03
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
06/12/03
This is London
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

Kudos to Steve Martin for choosing this script. He's laughing all the way to the bank. The audience isn't as lucky.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
06/10/03
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope
Ratings Image

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Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
05/31/03
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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Latest News for Bringing Down the House

April 27, 2007: Queen Latifah to Star in "All of Me" Remake
Anyone remember a funny old comedy from 1984 called "All of Me"? Steve Martin found himself half-possessed by the ghost of Lily Tomlin? (I actually love this movie.)... More...

March 03, 2006: Travolta & Latifah to Share "Hairspray"
John Travolta and Queen Latifah have signed on to star in New Line Cinema’s upcoming feature film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical "Hairspray," it was announced... More...

December 21, 2005: Critical Consensus: "Dick & Jane" Not Much Fun; "Cheaper" Is Bankrupt
This week's wide releases include a remake ("Fun With Dick and Jane") and a sequel to a remake ("Cheaper By the Dozen 2"). Will critics be laughing at these... More...

September 29, 2005: Shankman Dances His Way Into "Hairspray" Gig
What's a dance choreographer to do after he graduates to the realm of Profitable Director? Why, he goes back to choreography again, which is precisely what Adam Shankman will be... More...

See More Topics...

Related Forums for Bringing Down the House

REEL_REVIEWER
BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE brings up the laughs thanks to rising star Queen Latifah!!!
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/11


REEL_REVIEWER
BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE brings up the laughs thanks to rising star Queen Latifah!!!
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/11


REEL_REVIEWER
BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE brings up the laughs thanks to rising star Queen Latifah!!!
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/11


REEL_REVIEWER
BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE brings up the laughs thanks to rising star Queen Latifah!!!
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/11


Be yourself.
by: Connie McKmovie 10/10/03
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