Big Momma's House (2000)

In order to protect a beautiful woman and her son from a robber, a male FBI agent disguises himself as a large grandmother.

Director:

Raja Gosnell

Writers:

Darryl Quarles (story), Darryl Quarles (screenplay)

Stars:

Martin Lawrence, Nia Long, Paul Giamatti

1 win & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Martin Lawrence	...	Malcolm Turner
Nia Long	...	Sherry Pierce
Paul Giamatti	...	John
Jascha Washington	...	Trent Pierce
Terrence Howard	...	Lester Vesco (as Terrence Dashon Howard)
Anthony Anderson	...	Nolan
Ella Mitchell	...	Hattie Mae Pierce (Big Momma)
Carl Wright	...	Ben Rawley
Phyllis Applegate	...	Sadie
Starletta DuPois	...	Miss Patterson
Jessie Mae Holmes	...	Miss Other Patterson
Nicole Prescott	...	Lena
Octavia Spencer	...	Twila (as Octavia L. Spencer)
Tichina Arnold	...	Ritha
Cedric the Entertainer	...	Reverend

Storyline

FBI agent Malcolm Turner is known best for being a brilliant, master of disguise. Malcolm's latest assignment sends him to small-town Georgia, where he's assigned to trap a brutal bank robber (and a recent prison escapee) who they suspect will be coming down to visit his ex-girlfriend Sherry and her son. Malcolm sets up a stakeout across from the home of a larger-than-life southern matriarch known as Big Momma, who's about to be visited by Sherry. It's a simple plan, but there's one big problem: Unbeknownst to Sherry, Big Momma has unexpectedly left town. So Malcolm, decides to impersonate the cantankerous Southern granny. Using a few tricks of disguise, he completely transforms himself into Big Momma, even taking on the corpulent septuagenarian's everyday routine-from cooking soul food to delivering babies to "testifying" at the local church. In the mean time, Malcolm starts falling for Sherry, who may or may not be hiding some stolen cash. Now, Malcolm/Big Momma must somehow find a ...

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Plot Keywords:

female impersonation | gender disguise | obesity | disguise | fbi | 

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Taglines:

On June 2nd he's deep undercover.

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for crude humor including sexual innuendo, and for language and some violence

Details

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 June 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mi abuela es un peligro

Filming Locations:

Glendale, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$25,661,041, 4 June 2000, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$117,559,438

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$173,959,438

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Regency Enterprises, Runteldat Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sherri Pierce's (Nia Long) apartment was filmed only 0.6 miles (1Km) from Roger's house in Training Day (2001). The direct ("as the crow flies") is even closer: 750 feet (230 meters). See filming locations for both movies.

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Goofs

The position of Malcolm's necklace while he is talking to Sherry about going on the fishing trip alternates from shot to shot.

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Quotes

John: [on the phone] Yeah, he knows what he's doing.
John: [faces Malcolm immediately afterwards] What the hell are you doing?

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Alternate Versions

For the UK version the distributor chose to cut eight seconds of violence in the opening martial arts scene, and a head butt in a later scene, in order to achieve a "12" rating. Initial video releases used this same print. All cuts were waived in 2011, and is currently available uncut in the UK with a "12" certificate.

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Connections

Referenced in Black-ish: Bow Knows (2018)

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Soundtracks

Radio
Written by Rahman Griffen, Kurupt, Phats Bossi, Warren G. (as Warren G),
Gary Goetzman (as G. Goetzman) and M. Picarillo
Performed by Kurupt, R.O.C. and Phats Bossi
Produced by Warren G. (as Warren G)
(Contains a portion of "I'm Your Radio"
by Chocolate Milk
Written by Gary Goetzman (as G. Goetzman) and M. Picarillo
Published by Chardax Music (BMI)
Under license from the RCA Records Label, a Unit of BMG Entertainment)
Kurupt appears courtesy of Antra Records/Artemis Records
R.O.C. appears courtesy of So So Def Recordings

User Reviews

Well, it could have been worse

When you have a movie with a title like "Big Momma's House", you shouldn't expect high art. I certainly wasn't, but sometimes that's okay - sometimes you just want an excuse to laugh.

Still, I have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed with what they did here. The fault lies with the screenplay. For starters, it is not exactly original. While I wouldn't call this movie a blatant rip-off of "Stakeout", in several regards it's too close to that earlier movie for its own good. Speaking of familiar, another problem I had was that too many of the gags involving Lawrence as the cross-dressing FBI agent I had more or less seen in other movies before. Plus, the movie devotes far too much time to this than fleshing out the story - if what's here could be considered a story.

On the positive side, the movie is filled with energy, both in front of and behind the camera. There's enough energy that some viewers not wanting to think while watching a movie might find the enterprise enjoyable enough. If that sounds like you, you'll probably find this movie adequate. If you want more nutrition in your cinematic diet, look elsewhere.