Peter Sanderson: Steve Martin	Mrs. Kline: Betty White
Charlene: Queen Latifah	Director: Adam Shankman
Howie: Eugene Levy	Mrs. Arness: Joan Plowright
Kate: Jean Smart

30 Second Bottom Line: Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) is a divorced, uptight lawyer with two kids. Still in love with his ex-wife Kate (Jean Smart), and in desperate need of some company, he communicates via the Internet with Charlene (Queen Latifah). When Peter invites Charlene to his house for a date, he is surprised to find that Charlene is not the person she showed herself to be in a picture. Actually, she is an escaped convict who needs Peter's help in clearing her name in a bank robbery case. At first Sanderson wants nothing to do with Charlene, but after a while, the two unexpectedly begin to help each other's lives. It's evident that they're going to end up bringing down the house.

Story Line: Peter Sanderson is still desperately in love with his ex-wife, Kate. He recently cancelled a trip to Hawaii with his two children, and is in desperate need of company. After chatting online for some time supposedly with a tall, young blond, he invites her over for dinner, only to discover that the person he's been communicating with is actually an escaped convict named Charlene (Queen Latifah).

At first, Peter wants nothing to do with Charlene and kicks her out of his house. But after repeatedly coming back into his home, Peter agrees to let Charlene live with him, to care for his children, until he can clear her name in a bank robbery; as if Peter didn't have other things to worry about.

Added to the mix are Howie (Eugene Levy), Peter's best friend from work, who takes a fast interest in Charlene, and a racist neighbor, Mrs. Kline (Betty White), who takes a fast disliking to Charlene. Mrs. Arness (Joan Plowright) is Peter's billion-dollar client, who he needs to close a deal with within the next few days.

Tell Me More About It: Bringing Down the House is one of the best comedies I have seen in a while. What makes the film so funny, comes more from the actors than from the actual script. While the script obviously sets up one hilarious scene after another, the charisma of Queen Latifah, Steve Martin, and Eugene Levy are what make this movie much better than your average comedy. Despite the number of laughs in Bowfinger, this film has just as many or more.

For starters, Steve Martin is a comic genius. Despite the similarities that this film has to the political comedy Bulworth, the scene in which Steve Martin dresses up in street gear, and goes to an all-black nightclub, alone is worth the price of admission. This role was made for Steve Martin, and I couldn't see any other actor playing Peter Sanderson. There are so many scenes in the movie that are perfected by Martin's comic abilities that the movie may have failed had someone else been chosen to play the role. Steve Martin has been around for a long while and this is truly one of his finest performances.

Queen Latifah is on a roll. Having just been nominated for a supporting actress nod in Chicago, and a great supporting role in the hip-hop romantic comedy Brown Sugar, it is clear the Queen is slowly taking the industry by storm. In Bringing Down the House, Latifah is at the top of her game. While showing off her street image and sexy side at the same time, Latifah makes her character work in a role that I, once again, couldn't picture anyone else doing. Her delivery of the lines and facial expressions show that she is not only capable of doing dramatic roles (e.g. Set it Off), but is also exceptionally capable at achieving one of the hardest acting jobs - comedy.

Then there is the one and only Eugene Levy, who made the recent American Pie films as successful as they were playing Jason Bigg's dad. In this film, Levy gives another one of his typical amusing performances. Hearing Eugene Levy say `'You got me straight trippin,' Boo'' to Queen Latifah is another of one of the many reasons that this movie is a must-see. I don't want to spoil anything, but the last scene with Eugene Levy is one that will stay with you long after you leave the theatre.

So, you're probably wondering why I didn't give this film a higher rating. Well, first of all it should be noted that while in the previews this movie appears to be suitable for all ages, it's not. There is a darker subplot involving Charlene's dangerous ex-boyfriend, who doesn't want the truth to get out about who actually committed the robbery that Charlene went to prison for. Surprisingly, there is also a little bit of violence added to the mix, as well as an additional subplot involving Peter's teenage daughter and an older friend who forces himself on her. And though it's not too overdone - thematic elements such as this one unfortunately makes the film less light hearted. Also, the heavy emphasis this film has on racist jokes may offend some.

Despite those minor setbacks, this is an ideal comedy. Funny throughout, the film is sprinkled with a variety of chuckles and belly laughs, and standout performances that make this film countless times better than your average gross out comedy. For real genuine humor, and one of the most entertaining films of the year thus far, Bringing Down the House will undeniably bring down the theatre with laughter. Street attire optional.

Steve Martin: Bowfinger	Betty White: Golden Girls
Queen Latifah: Chicago	Eugene Levy: Best in Show
Jean Smart: Sweet Home Alabama