Moral Assessment + Abhorrent + + Disturbing + + + Acceptable + + + + Wholesome + + + + + Exemplary Technical Assessment • Poor • • Below average • • • Average • • • • Above average • • • • • Excellent CINEMA Rating Guide VA For viewers of all ages V13 For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance V14 For viewers 14 and above V18 For mature viewers 18 and above NP Not for public viewing

Title: BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE Running Time:  105 min Lead Cast: Steve Martin, Queen Latifa, Eugene Levy, Jean Smart, Joan Plowright Director:  Adam Shankman Producers: Jane Bartelme, Queen Latifa Screenwriter:  Jason Filardi Music: Michael McQuarn Editor:  Jerry Greenberg Genre: Comedy Cinematography:  Julio Macat Distributor: Columbia Pictures Location:  USA Technical Assessment:  • • • Moral Assessment:  + + + CINEMA Rating:   For viewers 14 and above   Workaholic, uptight, no nonsense lawyer, Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) does not understand why his wife divorced him when he still loves her.  Even his teenage daughter and young son who live with him keep a certain distance from him.  A bright spot comes into his life when his for-some-time on-line acquaintance whom met in the legal chatroom is finally coming for a visit. To his shock, however, she is not what and who he imagined her to be. In fact the one he calls Lawyer-Girl, now properly named Charlene (Queen Latifa) is a robust, confident, black woman. His disbelief and insistence that she get lost only brings on threats that she would cause him trouble, if he isn't going to help her.  She is a prison escapee charged for a crime she didn't commit, and she needs him to prove her innocence. The unusual but well-chosen combination of actors for the main characters, and the carefully selected story sequences make for pleasant viewing.  Steve Martin shows his usual proficiency as a family man, a role that he has played (e.g. The Father of the Bride I, II) more than once. For those who are not familiar with Queen Latifa before (The Bone Collector, Chacago), she is a pleasant revelation here.  Charlene's multiple identities as ex-prisoner-escapee-nanny, etc. and interaction with Peter, her lawyer cum friend, provide many pleasantly funny sometimes hilarious episodes.  Bringing Down the House on the whole has a good script, production design and is effectively directed. Although there are some untruths exchanged between persons and a few underhanded acts committed, there are more positive values present. At first it looks like Charlene's coming into Peter's life is going to create more chaos than is already there.  However when her presence is accepted—she becomes a "house guest" as he tries to help her with the case—with her opportunity to interact with the children, also Peter, she becomes a positive influence on the whole family, including Peter's wife.  The following instances take place. Where the daughter used to be confronted by a lawyer, now she finds a warm father.  The young son who has difficulty in reading, now reads, although Charlene chooses the wrong material for him to read from. Even the wife is no longer indifferent to Peter. Something has changed in him to make her look at him again speculatively and with interest. Charlene may have come from somewhere almost near the slums, is colored, and may have made some wrong choices in life, that doesn't mean she isn't a nice or good person who has values.   (Date reviewed: May 9, 2003)