![]() The History of White People accounts for the development of the idea of a “white race,” from antiquity to the modern age, considering varying degrees and kinds of whiteness over time, and Painter highlights a dizzying array of historical figures and their ideas, some largely forgotten except by academics, others more prominent and well known. Ancient people had no concept of race, and DNA evidence has confirmed that race is entirely a social construct. Painter’s latest book, The History of White People, is a historical synthesis of remarkable scope, ambition, and erudition. Her books include Creating Black Americans (Oxford University Press, 2006) and Southern History Across the Color Line (University of North Carolina Press, 2002), among many other influential titles. Now retired from Princeton University, where she was the Edwards Professor of American History, Painter is widely considered one of the most creative and skilled interpreters of the history of the American South and of African Americans. in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design. in American history from Harvard and an M.F.A. Among her many earned degrees, she holds a Ph.D. You won't learn anything significant about race relations, humanity or even yourself from watching "Bringing Down the House," but you will have a good time.Nell Irvin Painter could fairly be called a Renaissance woman. "Bringing Down the House" may lack the sophisticated wit or social satire of Martin's best comedies, but when you're not wiping your eyes from chuckling so darn much, you're grinning from the sheer fact that duos as genuinely funny as Latifah and Martin don't come along all that often. Although the latter may be constrained by the MPAA's PG-13 standards, the movie does offer undeniable proof that a movie can be hilarious without resorting to profanity, bodily fluids or generally grossing out the viewer. "Bringing Down the House" allows her free reign when it comes to showing off a knack for both physical comedy and snappy dialogue. While Martin gets to show off his kinder/gentler side, Latifah is downright adorable. Though from vastly different comic backgrounds and experiences, the two establish an easy division of their comic labors, handily sharing both the spotlight and the punch lines. Martin and Latifah enjoy an on-screen chemistry that goes a long way toward seriously bringing down the house. Much of the comic hijinks revolve around Charlene winning over Peter's family and gradually becoming a positive influence of his life, and with the brief occasions when Peter's best friend, Howie (Eugene Levy), hits on her by attempting to be "down" with the ghetto experience. And boy, is this "House" filled with laughter. ![]() Instead, the script allows the laughs to be the overriding experience. Yes, this sounds cheesy and corny, but honestly, the movie never sinks to such a sappy level. Although the film appears to explore only what would happen if a fish-out-of-water woman were placed into the life of an uptight and lonely older man, it also suggests that it's never too late to change or be accepting of change. Because, she tells Peter, "I'm innocent."Ĭultural and racial differences may be at the center of the plot of "Bringing Down the House," but the movie's heart, thankfully, lies elsewhere. Peter struggles to be politically correct and keep his consternation under wraps, despite living in an upscale residential area where a neighbor comes bearing a weapon because she thought she "heard a Negro." Meanwhile, Charlene lays out why she was hanging out in a lawyers' chat room she needs help clearing her criminal record as well as her name. Latifah, who's neither blonde nor an attorney. As we know from the trailer, Peter has no idea that the real Charlene is Ms. Soon enough, Peter and Charlene decide to move their relationship into real time and the two make a date to meet. The movie begins with Peter chatting online with a woman named Charlene, who he believes is a blonde, female, fellow lawyer. ![]() Martin stars as Peter, a lonely, divorced tax attorney who's looking for something new and special in his life. Add to that the movie's sweet message about being open-minded, and when you aren't laughing, "Bringing Down the House" will certainly have you smiling.
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