BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE

Directed by:  Raja Gosnell

Written by:   Darryl Quarles, Don Rhymer

Starring:       Martin Lawrence, Nia Long, Paul

                    Giamatti, Jascha Washington

Released:      September 7, 2000

Grade:         C

            Malcolm (Lawrence) and John (Giamatti) are FBI agents on a routine case.  Lester, a criminal convicted of robbery has just been released from jail and the word on the street is that he’s after former-flame, Sherry (Long), and her son who are rumoured to hold the $2m that was never recovered.

            Malcolm and John have been asked to keep an eye on Sherry’s grandmother’s house in the hope of obtaining information as to the whereabouts of the money.  However, when “Big Momma” goes on a sudden vacation and Sherry is soon approaching to stay at Big Momma’s House, there is only one solution - Malcolm impersonates Big Momma.

            This film takes ludicrousy to a new level.  I’ve seen 30-second skits on Late Night With Conan O’Brien that have more substance this 98-minute endurance test.  I can just imagine what was going through the minds of the screenwriters - “You know what would be funny - Martin Lawrence dressing up as a woman - let’s just come up with some zany story around it and the studios will love it.”  I don’t know what’s more shocking - that someone wrote this or that someone approved it.

            Martin Lawrence with make up looks nothing like the real Big Momma which again makes me wonder how nobody notices.  Lawrence’s delivers a baby with no experience - how?  The real Big Momma just jets off without telling anyone - why?  It’s all too hard to believe that this sequence of coincidences could be pulled off.

            The biggest failure with Big Momma’s House is its oversentimentality.  Despite the whole craziness of the movie, they try to create some touching “Kodak moments” that are noticeably out of place.  If you’re going to play it silly then you may as well keep going.  The final scene between Malcolm and Sherry in the Church had me close to knocking myself out.

            I will not waste additional time describing my extreme dislike for this garbage.  I had the luxury of seeing this film at the Chermside cinemas with the new luxury seating.  The seating sure was great but unfortunately my seat was facing the screen rather than the exit.