Review of The Nutty Professor (1996) by Gregory G — 05 May 2014

Remake of the 1963 Jerry Lewis comedy with Eddie Murphy in the Jeckyll- and-Hyde role as the shy, overweight professor Sherman Klump; who develops a potion that turns him into the exuberant and slim, narcissistic alter ego, Buddy Love.

A great showcase for Murphy, this is a classic performance of uninhibited physical comedy that calls to mind Steve Martin in "All of Me." Murphy has often played the Buddy Love role but he has rarely been as affecting as he is as the introverted professor.

Thanks to fantastic make-up and special effects, Murphy is able to inhabit both characters simultaneously in an ingenious bit of slapstick comedy at the conclusion. (Murphy appears as seven characters in the movie, mostly as Sherman's family members.

) Everything else about the movie is routine. The pacing frequently lags and there is an excessive amount of flatulence jokes; an obvious self-improvement message is tacked on that feels patronizing. The rest of the cast is content to stand back and watch Murphy.

The legendary Rick Baker and David LeRoy Anderson won the Oscar for Best Makeup. Written by David Sheffield, Barry W. Blaustein, Tom Shadyac, and Steve Oedekirk. Directed by Tom Shadyac. With Jada Pinkett, James Coburn, Dave Chapelle, and a hilarious Larry Miller as the sycophant dean.

Followed by Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.