Main Page
Alphabetical Menu
Chronological Menu
The "N" Menu

Norbit (R)





Release Date: February 9th, 2007 by Paramount Pictures.
The Cast: Eddie Murphy, Thandie Newton, Eddie Griffin, Terry Crews, Clifton Powell, Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Directed by Brian Robbins.

BASIC PREMISE: Norbit (Murphy) falls out of love with his mean, obese wife, Rasputia (Murphy), when Kate (Newton), his childhood sweetheart, moves into town.

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: Essentially a one-joke movie, Norbit relies on the comedic talent of Eddie Murphy as the title character, his wife and his father, Mr.Wong, who adopts him as a baby. The opening scenes introduce how Norbit meets Rasputia, who saves him from being bullied and derided at during school, becomes his friend. Once he ties the knot with her, that’s when his life goes downhill as she controls and watches his every move and even physically abuses him—she’s like a very cruel tyrant. His childhood girlfriend, Kate, shows up, which gives him the opportunity to escape from Rasputia, but he also has to deal with the obstacle of Kate’s fiancé (Gooding, Jr.). It’s alright that the plot is predictable, but, unfortunately, too many scenes seem either too over-the-top, juvenile or just plain disgusting without any original or refreshing humor. How funny is it to watch somebody passing gas for the umpteenth time in a comedy? Rasputia’s exaggerated obesity and its consequences seems somewhat funny at first, like when she honks her car’s horn with her giant breasts just by moving around a bit in the driver’s seat. However, the repetition of this and other fat jokes for the remainder of the film simply falls flat. Eddie Murphy certainly adds some liveliness and energy in his three roles and the make-up of him as Rasputia and Mr.Wong looks amazingly real. Too bad Norbit isn’t nearly as funny as the far superior, refreshing and hilarious film, The Nutty Professor.

SPIRITUAL VALUE: None is required or desired.

INSULT TO YOUR INTELLIGENCE: None, as long as you check your brain at the door.

NUMBER OF TIMES I CHECKED MY WATCH: 4

IN A NUTSHELL: Mostly juvenile, unfunny and disgusting despite Eddie Murphy’s three energetic performances.

RECOMMENDED WAY TO WATCH: TV


Main Page
Alphabetical Menu
Chronological Menu
The "N" Menu


______________________________________________________
Avi Offer
The NYC Movie Guru
themovieguru101@yahoo.com
Privacy Policy