Bringing Down the House
Bringing Down the House Image
Metascore
39 out of 100

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 31 Critics What's this?

User Score
4.7 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 36 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Starring: Eugene Levy, Queen Latifah, Steve Martin
  • Summary: A divorced, uptight attorney (Martin) is smitten with a brainy, bombshell barrister he's been chatting with on-line. However, when they finally meet, she (Queen Latifah) turns out to be a prison escapee who's proclaiming her innocence and wants his to help clear her name. In the end, the unlikely pair has the chance to put each other's lives on higher ground?if they don't end up bringing down the house. (Touchstone Pictures)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 31
  3. Negative: 10 out of 31
  1. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Kevin Carr
    80
    Hits an edginess that will keep today’s audiences laughing.
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    60
    There are certainly good laughs to be had. But the contrived script and bland direction prevent the film from ever developing a comic life of its own, leaving what fun there is seeming like the foundation to a rumpus room that's never finished.
  3. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Paul West
    58
    The supporting cast, peppered with seasoned pros like Levy, Smart, Betty White and a hilarious Joan Plowright, milk underwritten roles with gusto.
  4. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Mark Caro
    38
    Leans on just as many stereotypes as it tweaks.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 28
  3. Negative: 16 out of 28
  1. survivorfan989
    9
    A little racist perhaps but there's no denying that this is a funny film that will please the right audiences, and probably offend everyone else. Both Steve Martin Queen Latifah are favs actors of mine so I think I was always bound to like this film, and there are so many funny and memorable scenes. It's also quite a clever storyline with a few twists in there as well as having enough in it to keep you thoroughly entertained. Overall as long as its not taken too seriously it's a good laugh!… Expand

See all 28 User Reviews

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