A man looking for a woman just like himself ends up with someone quite different in this farcical comedy. Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) is a lawyer who is having trouble getting his life back on track after his wife, Kate (Jean Smart), divorces him; hes also adjusting to his new status as a single father. Looking for companionship, Peter tries an internet dating site and virtually meets lawyer-girl, an attractive and single fellow attorney. Peter makes a date with her, but the woman who arrives at his door turns out to be Charlene Morton (Queen Latifah), who not only isnt a lawyer, she turns out to be an escaped convict. Charlene is also a brash and brassy African-American, while Peter is perhaps the most tightly wound white guy in L.A. Charlene explains to Peter that shes strung him along because shes innocent of the crime for which she was convicted, and she needs a top-notch attorney to help prove her case. Peter isnt the least bit interested at first, but Charlene isnt the sort of woman to take no for an answer, and in time she wears him down and agrees to help. As Charlene moves into Peters home, she helps him to loosen up and unleash his inner groove, which quite surprises Kate, and her down-to-earth advice comes in handy for Peters son and daughter. But Charlene may end up going too far when Peter is asked to entertain Mrs. Arness (Joan Plowright), a wealthy woman looking for a new law firm. Bringing Down the House also features Eugene Levy as Howie, one of Peters friends who takes a keen interest in Charlene, and Betty White as one of Peters neighbors. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide