Bringing Down The House

Directed by Adam Shankman and produced by David Hoberman and Ashok Amritraj, this 2003 comedy stars Steve Martin as Peter Sanderson, a straight-laced, workaholic tax attorney who is struggling to move on from his divorce. The story begins when Peter meets a woman in a legal chat room and arranges a blind date, only to discover that his online companion is actually Charlene Morton, played by Queen Latifah, an escaped convict who has been wrongly imprisoned for armed robbery. Charlene wreaks havoc on Peter’s meticulously ordered life, posing as his nanny to avoid detection while demanding that he help clear her name. The film features a strong supporting cast including Eugene Levy as Peter's colleague Howie, who becomes infatuated with Charlene, alongside Joan Plowright, Jean Smart, and Betty White. The narrative explores themes of cultural clash and personal growth as Charlene helps Peter reconnect with his children and rediscover his livelier side while he navigates a high-stakes meeting with a prestigious client.