Bringing Down the House is billed as a comedy and I will admit it does have some laughs. Still, its hard to find much humor in a film with subject matter that not only borders on offensive, but also flaunts that border and then purposely crosses it. Dont get me wrong, I can laugh at offensive material just like the next person. The problem is that when the joke makes you cringe and look around the theater, chances are it crosses the line. The film stars Steve Martin as Peter Martin, a divorced tax attorney who makes a blind date after meeting a girl in an Internet chat room. The girl turns out to be Charlene (Queen Latifah), a brash ex-convict who has ulterior motives for hooking up with Peter. Charlene insists that she is innocent and wants Peter to work on her case and clear her name. Peter refuses at first but after several persuasive incidents, he reluctantly agrees to help her. The rest of the film centers on Peters ability to keep Charlene hidden away from the most offensively stereotypical set of bigots in recent film history, including a nosy neighbor (Betty White) and a wealthy client (Joan Plowright). And of course, since this is supposed to be a feel good comedy, Peter learns more about himself and his family with help from Charlene. It really all adds up to a formulaic and borderline hateful script from first-time screenwriter Jason Filardi. The problem is the film tries to make racism funny and quite frankly its not. By the time Charlene is mistaken for or asked to pretend to be the maid or nanny for the third time, I was upset. When Plowrights character breaks out in a slavery spiritual hymn, I was embarrassed. Its actually a credit to the leads that the film works as much as it does. One tends to forget just how funny Martin is he makes paranoia look easy. Queen Latifah, who served double duty as the executive producer (Did she really read the script?), has developed into a pretty good actress with solid screen presence. She more than holds her own with an old pro like Martin. But the scene-stealer is Eugene Levy as Peters friend and associate, bitten by a case of jungle fever and smitten with Charlene. His interaction with Charlene is genuinely funny and interesting with a fresh spin on an interracial relationship. Its during those scenes that Bringing Down the House brought a smile to my face. The rest of the time it just made me hide my head in shame.Bringing Down the HouseStarring: Steve Martin, Queen LatifahDirector: Adam ShankmanRating: PG-13 for language, sexual humor and drug materialPlaying at: Great Escape 12Grade: C-