30 Second Bottom Line: A slim and trim FBI agent, Martin Lawrence, impersonates a 300 pound grandmother in elaborate disguise, in order to fool the granddaughter into leading him to an escaped bank robber, and the hidden money.

Story Line: Lester (Terrence Howard), a convicted murderer and bank robber, escapes from jail and is believed to be hot on the trail of his girlfriend, Sherry (Nia Long). FBI Agent Malcolm (Martin Lawrence) figures that by trailing Sherry, he will find Lester and the missing bank money. Sherry flees California to visit Big Momma after learning of Lester's escape. Malcolm and his partner, John (Paul Giamatti), set up surveillance operations in the house across the street from Sherry's grandmother, Big Momma (Ella Mitchell).

Big Momma gets called out of town on a family emergency, and Malcolm and John break into her house to see if they can find any clues as to Sherry's whereabouts. While they are sleuthing, Sherry calls on the phone, and as she leaves a message on the recorder, Malcolm picks up the receiver and impersonates the voice of Big Momma, whom he had met earlier in the day. Wanting to meet Sherry, Malcolm decides to impersonate Big Momma in the flesh, much like the character in Mrs. Doubtfire, with Robin Williams.

More outrageous than either Mrs. Doubtfire, or Eddie Murphy's The Nutty Professor, Martin Lawrence uses his impersonation of Big Momma to develop a relationship with Sherry and others, with numerous gags that use gross humor as the vehicle to make you laugh. Along the way, when not impersonating Big Momma, Lester is himself, and develops a relationship with both Sherry and her son Trent (Jascha Washington ).

Tell Me More About It: If the description of good comedy per David Allen Grier is you must offend someone, then this would be a four star movie. Big Momma's House takes you to gross out heaven. There are creative scenes regarding nudity and sitting on the throne in the bathroom that are unforgettable. It is hilarious to some and grotesque to others.

The set up was strong and I cared about the characters by the middle of the story. The ending was, of course, predictable. We are left with the memories of church scenes gross enough to be stupid and offensive, while only marginally funny. Lawrence missed his chance to include some worthwhile messages within a humorous movie. Maybe next time he'll figure out how to pull off both.

Martin Lawrence: "Blue Streak"	Nia Long: "(The Boiler Room"
Terrence Howard: "The Best Man"	Ella Mitchell: "Lord Shango"
Raja Gosnell: "Never Been Kissed"	Paul Giamatti: "Man on the Moon"
Jascha Washington: "The Wood"