
Bringing Down the House
Seen it?2003 | 105 min | Comedy, Drama
Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe
With just 34% on Rotten Tomatoes and a lukewarm 6.0 out of 10 from audiences, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved My Cousin Vinny or Sing Sing, start here.
- The mood
- Funny with heart.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 45 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
Uptight lawyer Peter Sanderson wants to dive back into dating after his divorce and has a hard time meeting the right women. He tries online dating and lucks out when he starts chatting with a fellow lawyer. The two agree to meet in the flesh, but the woman he meets — an escaped African-American convict named Charlene — is not what he expected. Peter is freaked out, but Charlene tries to convince him to take her case and prove her innocence. Along the way, she wreaks havoc on his middle-class life as he gets a lesson in learning to lighten up.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsWeak
34% on Rotten Tomatoes, 39 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.0 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$133 million worldwide on a $20 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 119K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
My Cousin VinnySaturday SpecialAnother heist dramedy, and a Saturday Special.
City IslandSunday Safe BetAnother prison dramedy, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Sing SingFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed prison drama.
Liar LiarSaturday SpecialAnother legal comedy, and a Saturday Special.
Brute ForceSunday Safe BetAnother prison drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Adam Shankman
- Steve MartinPeter Sanderson
- Queen LatifahCharlene Morton
- Eugene LevyHowie Rottman
- Joan PlowrightMrs. Virginia Arness
- Jean SmartKate Sanderson
- Kimberly J. BrownSarah Sanderson
- Angus T. JonesGeorgey Sanderson
- Missi PyleAshley
- Michael RosenbaumTodd Gendler
- Betty WhiteMrs. Kline