Review of Norbit (2007) by Jason D — 08 Dec 2009

Never forgetting his roots (not to mention ever being able to rid himself of them), Eddie Murphy once again returns to that slapstick-y sort of comedy where he plays multiple characters under elaborate disguises of make-up in Norbit.

The story concerns an orphan named Norbit who grows up in an orphanage/Chinese restaurant (where the hilariously racist owner is played by an unrecognizable Murphy) where his first love moves away and is replaced by a massive entity known as Rasputia.

Once they're all grown up, Rasputia (Murphy in another one of his famous fat suit characters) and Norbit (Murphy in a nerdish Bowfinger-esque role, equipped with afro) are a marriage made in hell, as the dominating Rasputia runs and abuses Norbit's life, not to mention is cheating on him (with Marlon Wayans in a short but comical role).

Things change for Norbit when that first true love, Kate (the incredibly beautiful Thandie Newton, using an exceptional American accent), returns to town with a sleazy fiance (Cuba Gooding Jr.) looking to purchase the orphanage and stay in town.

Other comical black actors such as Katt Williams, Eddie Griffin, and Terry Crews show up in moderately entertaining roles. Lots of shenanigans ensue in what you can easily assume to be a bottom-of-the-barrel, dumbed-down popcorn entertainment.

This film will mostly appeal to the lowest common denominator of moviegoers, but honestly, I couldn't help but enjoy this silly movie, especially considering director Brian Robbins usually directs strings of dingleberry crap (The Perfect Score, Meet Dave).

Sometimes, a silly comedy does the trick, and Norbit is one of those films. It's not the high-caliber, multi-character Murphy classics like The Nutty Professor or Coming to America, but its not bad.