Bringing Down the House (2003)

When a lonely guy meets a woman on the internet who happens to be in prison, she breaks out to get him to prove her innocence, and proceeds to wreak havoc on his middle-class life.

Director:

Adam Shankman

Writer:

Jason Filardi

Stars:

Steve Martin, Queen Latifah, Eugene Levy

4 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Martin	...	Peter Sanderson
Queen Latifah	...	Charlene Morton
Eugene Levy	...	Howie Rottman
Joan Plowright	...	Virginia Arness
Jean Smart	...	Kate Sanderson
Kimberly J. Brown	...	Sarah Sanderson
Angus T. Jones	...	Georgey Sanderson
Missi Pyle	...	Ashley
Michael Rosenbaum	...	Todd Gendler
Betty White	...	Mrs. Kline
Steve Harris	...	Widow
Jim Haynie	...	Ed Tobias
Aengus James	...	Mike
Jernard Burks	...	Widow's Bodyguard
Bronzell Miller	...	Widow's Bodyguard

Storyline

Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) is a divorced, straight-laced, uptight attorney who still loves his ex-wife and can't figure out what he did wrong to make her leave him. However, Peter's trying to move on, and he's smitten with a brainy, bombshell lawyer with whom he's been chatting on-line. However, when she comes to his house for their first face-to-face, she isn't refined, isn't Ivy League, and isn't even a lawyer. Instead, it's Charlene Morton (Queen Latifah), a prison escapee who's proclaiming her innocence and wants Peter to help her clear her name. But Peter wants nothing to do with her, prompting the loud and shocking Charlene to turn Peter's perfectly ordered life upside down, jeopardizing his effort to get back with his wife, and win a billion-dollar client.

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Plot Keywords:

william shakespeare character | lawyer | divorce | villain arrested | spanking | 

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Taglines:

Everything he needed to know about life, she learned in prison.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language, sexual humor and drug material

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michael Rosenbaum wore a wig as Todd Gendler due to shaving his head for the role of Lex Luthor on Smallville (2001).

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Goofs

In the beginning of the movie, when Peter gets the instant message at work and Howie goes to look at the laptop, the Apple logo is not lit up as it would be when the laptop's power is on.

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Quotes

Mrs. Arness: [to Charlene] Oh, just one moment... you know, there's a lovely, sad, Negro spiritual...
[Sarah chokes on her food]
Mrs. Arness: Ivy's brother used to... uh, are you all right?
[Sarah nods weakly and takes a sip of her drink]
Mrs. Arness: Anyway, Ivy's brother used to sing this when he came in from the tobbaco fields...
[begins to sing]
Mrs. Arness: Mmmm..."Mama, is master going to sell us tomorrow? Yes, yes, yes! Mama, is master going to sell us tomorrow? Yes, yes, yes! Mama... is master going to sell ME to-mor-or-or-row..."

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Crazy Credits

Thanks to residents of McCadden Place.

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Connections

Referenced in Mister America (2019)

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Soundtracks

Gutta
Written by TaShon Spence, Robert Scalere Jr., Frank Ferraro and Jay Cooley
Produced by Swinga
Performed by The Unit
Courtesy of Flava Unit Records

User Reviews

Steve Martin Shines in this Fun Comedy!

Lets get one thing straight right away: Steve Martin can never be doubted. The Comedic Legend is an actor with tremendous charm & his sense of timing is no news to anyone. And in the 2003 Super-Hit 'Bringing Down The House', the Legend shines, yet again!

'Bringing Down The House' Synopsis: When a lonely guy meets a woman on the internet who happens to be in prison, she breaks out to be with him, and proceeds to wreak havoc on his middle-class life.

'Bringing Down The House' is a predictable, safe comedy, that goes through the narrative jumps & hiccups. Its mostly Martin's liveliness & command over the screen, that keeps the jokes coming in & the energy intact. Jason Filardi's Screenplay is nicely done, although it would've benefited from better jokes. Adam Shankman's Direction is appropriate.

A Special Mention for Queen Latifah, who with Martin, takes part in the silly jokes & delivers a loud, but likable performance. And the on-screen chemistry between Martin & Latifah, is perfect.

On the whole, 'Bringing Down The House' certainly works.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 March 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

JailBabes.com

Filming Locations:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$33,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$31,101,026, 9 March 2003

Gross USA:

$132,716,677

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$164,729,679

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures, Hyde Park Films, Mandeville Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1