MovieChat Forums > Bringing Down the House (2003) Discussion > Why did Steve Martin do this film?

Why did Steve Martin do this film?

posted 20 years ago by niquems
16 replies | jump to latest

I'll admit, I only saw the first hour of the film, but that's only because that's all I could take. Does anyone have an answer to this...... Here's an intelligent comedic man, author, movie star, A veteran of films and live comedy and has been around now for 30 years. What would make a man like this read the "Bringing Down The House" script and find it agreeable to do? This film is just bland unoriginal fluff we can all see in sitcoms. Bad or 70's sitcoms. Is he strapped into a contract? Is he in need of a certain amount of films to fulfill an obligation to a studio or something. I find it an impossibility that a man like Steve Martin would find this script funny and original. There's simply no way. If he's under some obligation, this is a hollywood shame. Any help would be great. Thanks.

[–] Arctic_Wizard 20 years ago

I have the DVD at home and on the special features, it mentions that the crew thought of him and they approached him with the ideas.
He said, he'd do it if he liked the director, which he did. Therefor he starred in it.
Hope that helped.

If you think that's why you were invited - just to be laughed at. You can get out now!

[–] protocol_africa 20 years ago

If you remember, Martin did The Jerk-in which his family was African American and displayed his skills brilliantly along side such folly.

Bringing Down The House perhaps echoed this same chemistry to a certain degree, exposing racism situations through humor.

Sounds like "an intelligent comedic man" to me.

[–] Howlin Wolf 20 years ago

Broadly speaking, he hasn't been himself since "Sgt. Bilko"...

"Women remember, Steve - it's like they've got minds of their own!"

[–] lazyoli 19 years ago

exactly my thoughts. i also had to turn it off after a hour and a bit. this is film is so boring. it would have been original maybe 50 years ago but now? i think steve martin really needed the money, i guess. one of the worst films i have ever seen. i usually watch films till the end when i rent them. only happened like three times that i turned them off before. this is one of them!

[–] notthatitmattersreally 19 years ago

May the $10 million had something to do with it.

[–] smfarnsworth 19 years ago

CASH.

His career hit the skids at the end of the 80's - but I don't know why. He went from being a banker at the box office to a turkey. There was a time when if I saw Steve Martin's name associated with a film it would make me want to see it. Nowadays however it makes me want to run in the opposite direction.

I read some of the comments (about this film) and I wonder who these people are that think it's "the funniest film ever", or they were "still laughing when they left the cinema". What are we talking here - people so incredibly stupid that they will laugh at anything. These are the sort of people that think Fraiser is unfunny. I think I must be a comedy-snob as I don't understand the mentality of them....

[–] gomez91765 16 years ago

It's not that people are so stupid that they laugh at the jokes, it's that different people have different tastes for humor.

How freaking boring would it be if everyone thought the same exact things were funny?

It actually takes intellect to comprehend humor.

[–] nbickerstaff 19 years ago

He done this film because both Steve Martin is funny and the whole script (film) was hilarious, he suited this part and the film is amazing! There isnt one bit in it that isnt funny! Unless you just dont have a sense of humor!

[–] naley-4life 19 years ago

what does Shaniquah mean i dont get why ashely said that to charlene.........what does it mean?

[–] sheshape 19 years ago

"Shaniquah" is just a funny sounding name mostly associated with African Americans poking fun at ourselves. There is a running joke that states that you know you are ghetto if your name begins with Sha,She,La,Ta
Over the years black comedians have embellished these name for laughs.
Example: The Martin Lawrence Show. Martin portrayed himself as a ghetto female by the name of SheNayNay. Over the years I have heard others such as: Bonequisha,LaCompton,Shequita,Shawnquetta.....
The names are just for comedy. LOL After I post this, you may see many many more.
Please NOTE: I apologize in advance if anyone happens to have one of the above mentioned names. I am hoping that my friends daughther never sees this site. LMAO
I hope this answers your question.

[–] eqirishmyst 19 years ago

I think it shows how talented he is. For him to pull off the Down Low scene's showed how he can just about fit into most characters that's brought to him.
I have to agree with NBickerstaff, I too thought it was funny. Of course I guess some people just like drab or blood and gut movies. Myself, I tend to like comedies. Life is too serious, people are too mean to each other, people tend to jump at the least little thing and make a big deal out of it. I like to laugh. I like Martin's films. I have almost all of them. He works well with alot of different co-stars, like Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, and now Queen Latifah. I think those two were were a hoot. And I hope they team up together again.

Laughter is the best medicine and it's free and legal to boot !!