"MAN OF THE HOUSE" (2005) (Tommy Lee Jones, Kelli Garner) (PG-13)
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QUICK TAKE:
Comedy/Action: A gruff Texas Ranger attempts to protect five spirited cheerleaders after they witness a murder related to a criminal who now wants them dead.
PLOT:
Roland Sharp (TOMMY LEE JONES) is a Texas Ranger hot on the trail of a government witness, Morgan Ball (CURTIS ARMSTRONG), who may be able to testify against ruthless criminal John Courtland (TURNER STEPHEN BRUTON). Accordingly, Roland goes to see former convict turned preacher Percy Stevens (CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER) who had ties to both men. A shootout, however, leaves Roland's partner injured and Morgan ends up dead at the hands of an unknown assailant.
That would seem to leave Roland with a cold trail, but his superior, Captain Nichols (R. LEE ERMEY), informs him that a small group of college cheerleaders actually saw Morgan's murder and have now come forward as witnesses. Roland thinks he'll have no problem getting their eyewitness accounts, but he wasn't ready for the likes of Anne (CHRISTINA MILIAN), Teresa (PAULA GARCES), Evie (MONICA KEENA), Heather (VANESSA FERLITO) and Barb (KELLI GARNER) who can't agree about the perp's appearance and are preoccupied with the interrogation interrupting their busy social lives.
Divorced and nearly a stranger to his 17-year-old daughter Emma (SHANNON MARIE WOODWARD), Roland can't believe their shallowness and vanity, but things only get worse for him. Since the authorities know that Courtland will have any witnesses killed, Roland and two other Rangers are assigned to protect the cheerleaders. As the other two men move in across the street in a frat house, Roland ends up staying in the girl's house, much to their dismay since his no nonsense demeanor and strict rules about their activities from now on don't sit well with them.
Going undercover and posing as the assistant cheerleading coach, Roland tries to make sure the girls are safe, unaware that his friend, FBI agent Eddie Zane (BRIAN VAN HOLT), is really in cahoots with Courtland and is now after them. As Roland attempts to protect the girls, they soon overcome their differences, with them advising him about his fatherly relationship to Emma and newfound romantic one with campus professor Molly McCarthy (ANNE ARCHER).
OUR TAKE: Coming Soon
Columbia Pictures did not screen "Man of the House" for critics before it opened on Feb. 25th, meaning we're still working on our artistic review. In short, it's not very good, whether from an opposites clash comedy (referring to Jones playing his standard gruff, no-nonsense character vs. the perky, moody and/or shallow college cheerleaders) or a hard hitting action flick.
With "humorous" dialogue that falls flat, mundane action and an obviously predictable story arc (where the girls help Jones' character loosen up, etc.), it's not surprising that this film opened "cold." Unless you're a diehard fan of Jones' style of action and his usual character portrayal or are looking for some eye candy in the form of the shapely and often scantly clad young cheerleaders, there's probably nothing here for you.
Reviewed February 25, 2005 / Posted February 25, 2005
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