by Caroline Westbrook BBC News Online

The comedy relies on stereotypes

Bringing Down the House is released in the UK this week. A New York lawyer has filed a $15m (�9.6m) lawsuit against the film's producers in the States, saying it is based on her screenplay.

Given the success of Chicago (and her subsequent Oscar nomination) it is no surprise that Queen Latifah's film career has skyrocketed since.

And Bringing Down The House comes to these shores trailing an impressive pedigree - a $100m (�60m) plus gross in the US.

If the film is trying to make a serious point about social attitudes, it does not do a very good job Have your say on Bringing Down the House

It also has a cast that includes the likes of Steve Martin, Eugene Levy and Joan Plowright, and a story that puts a whole new spin on age-old culture clash themes.

What a shame, then, that it is not nearly as good as it promises to be.

Martin (basically playing the same mild-mannered, faintly bemused role he has done for years now), is divorced lawyer Peter Sanderson, who strikes up an online relationship with Charlene (Latifah), whom he meets in a legal chatroom.

He thinks romance will blossom - until she shows up on his doorstep and turns out not to be the woman he thought she was, but a loud, brash, escaped prisoner - who wants him to clear her name and proceeds to turn his life upside down in the process.

Ultimately (and predictably), though, she teaches him a thing or two about life, love and family values.

Do the pair eventually get together?

There are some laughs to be had, mainly from the interaction between the always watchable Martin and the likeable Latifah.

But for the most part this feels oddly old-fashioned, rather like one of those 70s sitcoms in which a white, suburban neighbourhood is shaken up by the sudden arrival of a black person.

If the film is trying to make a serious point about social attitudes, then it does not do a very good job, resorting instead to cheap humour and racial, faintly distasteful stereotyping where some smart satire would have been much more effective.

When the comic high point of your movie features Steve Martin attempting to break dance while clad in hip-hop gear, you know you are in trouble.

Bringing Down the House is now out in the UK.

What do you think of the film? Is it a fun frolic or an outdated bore?

Send us your views.

Sqw this last week at a preview and was pleasantly surprised. Seeing Steve Martin doing an "Ali G" was worth it. Great movie, Good laughs.
James Lewis, South Wales

Saw this after a disapointing Matrix Reloaded (but we wont go into that) and found it hilarious. Steve Martin's best role since Bowfinger and Eugene Levy is a God-send (especially his attempt at African/American English). Well worth the cost of a ticket!
Ivan Raitwaith, Bognor Regis

I saw the film last night and went in with low expectations due to some really bad reviews but I will have to say I laughed my arse off! Many critics have failed to realise it is a comedy and have had a sense of humour bypass. Not all films need to be worthy and navel gazing. Steve Martin and Queen Latifah work well together. If you fancy a leave-your-brain-at-the-door film that will make you leave the cinema smiling then Bringing Down the House is worth a watch.
tha bunny (ok then kate), cottingham, east yorkshire

Remember when Steve Martin was funny?
Jim, UK

I went to the movies, not knowing what to expect. Studying film means I'm always after more from a movie than it often gives and more often than not I leave the cinema disappointed. However I saw 'Bringing Down The House' on a "lads" night out, and it's one of the funniest movies in a long time. While it may not ooze great cinematography, a stunning storyline, or may not even be politicially correct it's hilarious. A break from the usual boring, "trying to be more than it is" cinema, if you're looking for a bit of fun, and a barrel of laughs this is your movie. If you're looking for the next Oscar Winning Movie, keep away.
Dan W, Cleveland

Very very funny film, the little old lady from The Golden Girls is by far the star of the movie!!
ian, Leeds UK

Great film! Steve Martin good as always
Sean McQuade, Ireland

There's nothing getting old faster than mid-late aged white people "getting hip" on the big screen. Someone tell hollywood it's just not funny anymore!
Carlo Pacino, Canada

I also saw a preview yesterday. It's not a bad film, it just isn't as funny as it thinks it is. Good performaances, and a couple of good lines don't make for a hugely memorable film though
Peter, UK

The shocking thing about this film is not that it is choc full of racial sterotypes but that so many people in America went to see it! Unbelievably bad movie with many cringeworthy moments. This is one that should have been left on the cutting room floor along with the scripwriters' outdated view of how people interact in the 21st century
Maywitch, England

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Not impressed. Seen Steve Martin in much funnier films.
Jane Love, England

I loved the movie - it was feelgood and funny and Joan Plowright's racist uppercrust madame was hysterical, especially at the end! Queen Latifah was quite funny and Steve Martin was actually quite good and charasmatic.
Seth Mason, England

Saw the movie yesterday evening with friends. For me, Queen Latifah, Steve Martin and Joan Plowright held the film together, oh and the sister-in-law from hell who had the ability to grunge her face quite effectively!! Yes the film was a no-brainer, there were stereotypical scenes that made you cringe but at the same time I couldn't help thinking that's exactly what the film was doing, taking the complete "mick" out of all those films that ever came to the screen in that genre.

Queen Latifah looked fabulous, she really "worked" some hairstyles and Steve Martin with his usual askew style of comedy ensured the two worked pretty well together.
Jackie, Uk

Whilst I am a great fan of Steve Martin and Queen Latifah I was a little disappointed to see that once again we have to endure cheap laughs of a white man trying to engage with his black brothers and sisters. The film raised a few laughs but for Steve Martin's character - a bit clich�d and stale .
Dianne, London, UK

"If the film is trying to make a serious point about social attitudes... "

Perhaps the reviewer has reviewed one too many movies to not appreciate that sometimes a comedy is just a comedy.

There is nothing more condescending than another lofty reviewer trying to see the philosophical explanation of society's myopic views in a movie that's a parody of the society itself. If this movie had any "serious" points to make it would be that you should take a good look at the picture first. Make of that what you please.
Chris Jenkins, UK

What is Steve Martin doing? He used to be funny. Now he ends up doing sad films, based on pathetic story lines with every clich� in the book. If you want a good film by Steve Martin, watch Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid.
Andy Bray, UK

Bit disappointed, I didn't think it was as good as it has been portrayed in the adverts. Latifah made it worth watching with her humorous acting together with the home boy impression from Steve Martin and the girly cat fight!! Not a serious going film at all, unrealistic but highly comical. Ending a bit be and end all.
Ellie, South West England

The racial stereotypes in this movie were absurd. I thought we were past all of that? Latifah is the stereotypical jive-talking ex-convict and Steve Martin is the uptight white guy whose only exposure to black people has been his servants. Why does Hollywood continually portray black people as uneducated and criminal-minded and white people as educated and uptight? Don't waste your money. If you want to see racial stereotypes, just watch an episode of SouthPark.
John L., US

All I can say is hilarious. As Dan W from Cleveland says, it's no Oscar winner but hey, if you want to laugh so much it hurts then this is the movie for you.
Carole Marsh, Canada

Light fare, enjoyed it very much. Inane in parts, but overall a pleasant ninety minutes. I've seen better, but I've seen much worse. It wasn't as funny as Ice Cube's Friday films, but it was a heck of a lot better than Heartbreakers or What Women Want. I give it three out of four stars.
Julie Kelleher, USA