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Review #393 of 365
Movie Review of Norbit (2007) [PG-13] 102 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $5.50
Where Viewed: Colorado Cinemas Cherry Creek 8, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 9 February 2007
Time: 10:00 p.m.
Film's Official Website • Film's Trailer
DVD Release Date: unscheduled
Directed by: Brian Robbins (The Shaggy Dog)
Screenplay by: Jay Scherick (Guess Who) and David Ronn (Guess Who) based on story by Eddie Murphy and Charles Q. Murphy
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls) • Thandie Newton (The Pursuit of Happyness) • Terry Crews (Idiocracy) • Clifton Powell (Ray) • Mighty Rasta (Bachelor Party Vegas) • Cuba Gooding Jr. (Shadowboxer) • Eddie Griffin (Date Movie) • Katt Williams (Epic Movie)
Soundtrack: Download now from 
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
To begin, there is only one thing to like about Eddie Murphy's new film, Norbit, directed by Brian Robbins from a screenplay by Jay Scherick and David Ronn from the Eddie Murphy and Charles Murphy story, to like and that is Thandie Newton. Her charming and delightfully whimsical performance as Kate, the grown-up object of Norbit's affection (the two characters were 'married' under a tree just outside Mr. Wong's Chinese Restaurant and Orphanage when they were around the age of six), was fresh and delightful, a nice contrast to the two women she portrayed in Crash and The Pursuit of Happyness. Possessing an Eartha Kitt-esque raw edge, it was fun to see her play a free spirit, lovely, charming, and graceful character to see the other side ofher immeasurable talent. Talent, actually, is not what Norbit was missing. From Cuba Gooding, Jr. to Mr. Murphy himself, the film has plenty of talent. It also has some wise-cracking characters notably Pope Sweet Jesus (Eddie Griffin) and Lord Have Mercy (Katt Williams) that, if handled appropriately, might have the makings of a worthwhile, satiric, Comedy Central sitcom. Unfortunately, beyond that, the film is ill-conceived, poorly executed, and painfully irresponsible. Watching it is rather like taking a wrong turn into the middle of an uncomfortable conversation without planning an escape route. The 'joke' or 'gag' upon which the film is based, is Eddie Murphy playing his own wife, Rasputia, in a fat suit. In excess of 70% of the 'jokes' in the film are related to her incredible size and weight. Continuing, 20% of the 'jokes' are due to Norbit's nerdiness or weakling status, and 10% are Eddie Murphy badly portraying the Chinese character Mr. Wong.
"…both perturbing and off-putting… ill-conceived, poorly executed, and painfully irresponsible…"
The story begins with the very ugly baby Norbit begin ejected from a speeding vehicle onto the doorsteps of Mr. Wong's Chinese Retaurant and Orphanage. Spewing racial hatred, Mr. Wong put Norbit into the care of his staff and raises Norbit—no clue is given as to why he is named so. He grows up the victim of every bully. Eventually, he gets a best friend named Kate and the two become inseparable, until Kate gets adopted. Along comes Rasputia in middle school, however, and the gargantuan girl saves him from constant humiliation and attack using her size and cruel demeanor to her advantage. As adults, they marry and Norbit works for the construction company of Rasputia's brothers who are basically one-step from being the town's local mobsters fleecing everyone for protection money etc. Norbit's life is horrible as he deals with the selfish and cruel back hand of Rasputia who controls his every move while cheating on him with her weight loss coach. His miserable existence receives a bright spot when Kate (Thandi Newton) returns to town to buy the orphanage having sold her clothing business in Atlanta. Unfortunately, she's engaged to be married to Deion Hughes (Cuba Gooding, Jr.)—a smooth talking real estate broker with an eye for her money. Rasputia's brother orchestrate a double crossing of Kate to get their hands on the orphanage land which they plan to turn into a huge strip club and bar. The basic elements of the plot are derivative, contrived, and predictable.
While Eddie Murphy's ability to play different characters and the technology used to so seamlessly allow him to play his three roles worked well, the plot, characters, and purpose failed to live up to even minimal expectations. This is a gimmick film without a soul. Gone, it seems, are the days of his brilliance in Coming to America and Trading Places. The quick glimmer of hope from Dreamgirls has been sacked just as fast. Worse, however, is the license the writers took to use this unsavory brand of humor rooted in the "it's ok to make fun of physical and racial aspects of human beings just as long as you target overweight people and/or are of the race that you you belittle, stereotype, marginalize, or parody" attitude that is both perturbing and off-putting at the same time. It's not ok, and it's not funny. It is a shame, in fact, that such a talented cast would involve themselves in this picture.
While Eddie Murphy's ability to play different characters and the technology used to so seamlessly allow him to play his three roles worked well, the plot, characters, and purpose failed to live up to even minimal expectations. This is a gimmick film without a soul. Gone, it seems, are the days of his brilliance in Coming to America and Trading Places. The quick glimmer of hope from Dreamgirls has been sacked just as fast. Worse, however, is the license the writers took to use this unsavory brand of humor rooted in the "it's ok to make fun of physical and racial aspects of human beings just as long as you target overweight people and/or are of the race that you you belittle, stereotype, marginalize, or parody" attitude that is both perturbing and off-putting at the same time. It's not ok, and it's not funny. It is a shame, in fact, that such a talented cast would involve themselves in this picture.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Other Projects Featuring Norbit (2007)
Cast Members
Eddie Murphy
• Thandie Newton • Terry CrewsClifton Powell
• Mighty Rasta • Cuba Gooding Jr.Eddie Griffin
• Katt WilliamsDirector
Brian Robbins
Co-Writers
Jay Scherick
• David Ronn| CD | DVD | VHS |
Norbit (2007) Review-lite [150-word cap]
To begin, there is only one thing to like about Eddie Murphy's new film, Norbit, directed by Brian Robbins from a screenplay by Jay Scherick and David Ronn from the Eddie Murphy and Charles Murphy story, to like and that is Thandie Newton. Her charming and delightfully whimsical performance as Kate was fresh and delightful. Beyond that, the film is ill-conceived, poorly executed, and painfully irresponsible. The 'joke' or 'gag' upon which the film is based, is Eddie Murphy playing his own wife, Rasputia, in a fat suit. In excess of 70% of the 'jokes' in the film are related to her incredible size and weight. While Eddie Murphy's ability to play different characters worked well, the plot, characters, and purpose failed to live up to expectations. This is a gimmick film without a soul. It's a shame that such a talented cast would involve themselves in this picture.
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