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Bringing Down the House

Play trailer Poster for Bringing Down the House PG-13 2003 1h 45m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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33% Tomatometer 148 Reviews 49% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Lawyer Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) wants to dive back into dating after his divorce and has a hard time meeting the right women. But he lucks out with online dating and meets a fellow lawyer. The two agree to meet in the flesh, but the woman he meets -- an escaped African-American convict named Charlene (Queen Latifah) -- is not what he expected. Peter is freaked out, but Charlene convinces him to take her case and prove her innocence, and along the way they learn to become friends.
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Bringing Down the House

Bringing Down the House

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Critics Consensus

Though the cast shines, they can't save this comedy, which is overly contrived and filled with outdated and offensive racial jokes.

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Critics Reviews

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Rachel Swan Bitch Media 12/17/2020
The film fails as a satire because it's plenty racist on its own. Go to Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/22/2010
3/5
Martin and Latifah rule in boundary-pushing PG-13. Go to Full Review Alexander Walker London Evening Standard 06/12/2003
It's quite a mess, this catastrophe -- a racially offensive mess, too. Go to Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens 11/07/2019
Steve Martin and Queen Latifah? Who woulda thunk it! But kudos to that brainchild! Go to Full Review Brian Orndorf Blu-ray.com 07/26/2012
D
It's a wheezing, rusted machine of cheap jokes, cartoon performances, and crummy plotting, using shock value and insensitivity to make its painfully unfunny points. Go to Full Review James Plath Movie Metropolis 05/12/2012
4/10
Everything about this film is painfully familiar, except, perhaps, for the vicious-but-comic catfight between Latifah and Missi Pyle, who plays a high-society gold digger. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Melissa M @Lisey 4d Things are so politically correct now. It was a different time back then. People are more easily offended now. If it was the other way around and Steve Martin was black & Queen latifah was white I don't think people would carry on about this movie The Way They do. Have you ever seen White Chicks. Just saying. How was the movie racist anyway. The white people look dopey & kind of goofy in this movie. Dressing up & acting all gangster. They look beyond ridiculous. Queen latifah character of Charlene is the protagonist. She's the one that saves everybody else's ass. Even though she's the one that's in trouble. And Charlene & Peter become homies even though they come from completely different backgrounds. You can tell that Steve martin, Eugene Levy, and Queen latifah have comedic chemistry. I don't think the Queen latifah would have been in the movie if she thought the film or the plot line was racist. See more Joanne D @RT27437272 Feb 22 Great film. Really funny. Love it. Just goes to show. Never listen to boring critics See more Teddy G. @Teddy Oct 21 Absolutely funny as hell, this movie is a classic See more waffle w @RT59172842 Sep 24 these ratings are way too low- the movie's a fun watch. And none of the jokes are meant to be taken seriously...it's really not offensive and critics proclaim. See more Dang L @RT20589283 Jul 13 Best movie I’ve eva seen in my life 10/10 See more Lauren H @RT07383280 Apr 19 In 2025, I get why it is not a 5/5 for most. However... Always will be a favourite movie of mine! Many belly laughs to be had. See more Read all reviews
Bringing Down the House

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Cast & Crew

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Adam Shankman

Director

Steve Martin

Peter Sanderson

Queen Latifah

Charlene Morton

Eugene Levy

Howie Rottman

Joan Plowright

Mrs. Arness

Jean Smart

Kate

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Bringing Down the House

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Movie Info

Synopsis Lawyer Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) wants to dive back into dating after his divorce and has a hard time meeting the right women. But he lucks out with online dating and meets a fellow lawyer. The two agree to meet in the flesh, but the woman he meets -- an escaped African-American convict named Charlene (Queen Latifah) -- is not what he expected. Peter is freaked out, but Charlene convinces him to take her case and prove her innocence, and along the way they learn to become friends.
Director
Adam Shankman
Producer
David Hoberman, Ashok Amritraj
Screenwriter
Jason Filardi
Distributor
Touchstone Pictures
Production Co
Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista (Walt Disney)
Rating
PG-13 (Language|Drug Material|Sexual Humor)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 7, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$132.5M
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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