Norbit
(2007)
DreamWorks
Cast:
Eddie Murphy, Thandie Newton, Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Rating:
PG
Run
time: 102 mins
Genre:
Comedy
Verdict:
B.S.
(see rating
system)
Wow,
this is junk.
After
his pretty decent turn in Dreamgirls, Murphy is back to making
money with a crappy assembly line comedy that managed to con
moviegoers out of $160 million at the box office.
Norbit
is almost "all Murphy, all the time" as he takes
on three roles: Norbit, the dim, but likeable guy who's a
bully magnet; Mr. Wong, the racist owner of a Chinese restaurant/orphanage
who raises Norbit after his parents abandon him as an infant),
and Rasputia, the fat and ugly (let's not mince words here)
woman who marries Norbit and proceeds to make his life hell.
The
story, such as it is, finds Norbit meeting Kate (Newton),
his childhood sweettheart from the orphanage (they even pooped
together side by side, eeww) who has returned to town buy
the place and help other kids in trouble. Norbit senses that
"old feeling", but he's married to the very jealous
Rasputia and Kate's engaged to the sneaky Deion (Gooding).
And Rasputia's tough, crooked brothers also have plans for
the orphanage - turning it into a strip joint.
The
racial stereotype and fat jokes are tiresome and so is Norbit
- we’ve even seen him before - Murphy recycles him from
1999's Bowfinger, when the character was named “Jif”
Ramsey.
The
extras include 14 deleted scenes and a profile of Murphy.
Norbit?
Make
that Dimwit...
