Big Momma's House (PG-13, 2000)

In BIG MOMMA'S HOUSE, FBI agents Malcolm (Martin Lawrence) and John (Paul Giamatti) are trying to track down escaped prisoner Lester (Terrence Howard). They set up a stakeout across the street from the home of Big Momma, the grandmother of Lester's former girlfriend Sherry (Nia Long). Sherry arrives just as Big Momma leaves town, so Malcolm, a master of disguise, puts on a fat suit and a flowered housedress and is there to greet Sherry and her son Trent with open arms.

The film premise is promising, but instead of a script, we get a series of situations, strung together in a lackluster story that under-uses its three talented stars. Big Momma has to deliver a baby! Big Momma kicks butt at karate and basketball! Sherry gets scared and crawls into bed with Big Momma! Oh, and by the way, Malcolm has to struggle with his feelings for Sherry because he thinks she was Lester's accomplice and besides, he starts off the movie explaining that a wife and family are just a distraction for a lawman.

Co-producer Lawrence is marvelous at times, using his eyes and body to hilarious effect, and showing a potential for tenderness and heart so enticing that we wish for more. Nia Long has sweetness, toughness, and humor, and it's always a pleasure to see talented character actor Paul Giamatti. But the script is very weak, relying heavily on bathroom humor, jokes about sexy old people, and Momma's highly un-grandmotherly feelings for Sherry. Inconsistencies of plot and character keep the audience from connecting to the material.

Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Raja Gosnell
Cast: Ella Mitchell, Martin Lawrence, Nia Long
Genre: Comedy
Theatrical release: June 2, 2000
DVD release: March 6, 2001
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: gross humor, language, sexual references