BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE
US, 2000, 98 minutes, Colour.
Martin Lawrence, Nia Long, Paul Giamatti, Jascha Washington, Terrence Howard, Anthony Anderson, Cedric the Entertainer.
Directed by Raja Gosnell.
Big Momma’s House was one of many comic opportunities for Martin Lawrence. He had appeared in such things as Blue Streak and was to appear in National Security, The Black Knight.
The screenplay is obviously influenced by Mrs Doubtfire, Tootsie and other films with the actor cross-dressing. Lawrence plays Malcolm Turner, a detective, who is investigating an escaped convict, played by Terrence Howard. His girlfriend, Nia Long, is in the witness protection with her son and under the care of Big Momma. However, Big Momma has gone to visit other relatives and so Malcolm takes her place. With the aid of his partner, Paul Giamatti, he makes the dresses and the facial mask for Big Momma – with the consequent mishaps, comic turns. The film will depend on how much one likes Martin Lawrence in this kind of role, his impersonations, his patter. (Nia Long is long-suffering because she appeared in the sequel as well as in the two films with Ice Cube, Are We There Yet and Are We Done Yet.)
1.The popularity of Martin Lawrence as a comedian? Impersonation? Stand-up comedy? How well did he fit the role of Big Momma? The contrast with his role as Malcolm Turner?
2.The police background, the south, Big Momma’s house, the church, the shops, the atmosphere of the town? Credible? The musical score?
3.The situation: Malcolm, John and their investigation of Lester Vesco? The following of Sherry Pierce and her son? The witness protection? Finding that Big Momma had left on a visit? Malcolm and his taking her place, preparing the mask, the clothes? The voice? John and his looking through the telescope across the street? The earpiece and giving him information?
4.The arrival of Sherry, Trent? Malcolm and his ability to improvise? The various mishaps in the house? The cooking, difficulties with his wig, the martial arts class and the wig coming off? The jokes? The suitor for Big Momma, the reverend at church, the women and his having to act as a midwife? The enjoyment of these kinds of set pieces?
5.Sherry, agreeable, relationship with Lester? Her love for her son? Trent, settling into the town, playing by himself, talking with Big Momma? Sherry and her meeting Malcolm after he fell out the window and came in the house as himself? Their discussions, his being a father figure? The romance?
6.John, working with Malcolm, his improvising, the telescope, giving the information – for example about the midwife’s role in a birth?
7.Lester, the thief, from prison, his going to the pharmacy, his tracking down Sherry, the confrontation?
8.Nolan, at the birth, his being a security guard, the martial arts lessons, with Big Momma, with the other women?
9.The people in the town, the women, friendship with Big Momma, the birth of the baby – and success? The martial arts class? Church? Ben Rawley and his approaching Big Momma? The reverend at church?
10.An enjoyable comedy for African American audiences? The wider American audience, worldwide audiences? This kind of slapstick humour?
