Norbit Orphanage Rasputia
Film Review of “Norbit”
Synopsis
Norbit's story revolves around Norbit Albert Rice (Eddie Murphy), who as a baby was literally tossed out from a moving car by his parents in front of the Chinese Golden Wonton Restaurant and Orphanage. It was Mr. Wong (Eddie Murphy), owner of the orphanage, who took the baby Norbit under his care. It was also in this orphanage that Norbit would later meet another orphan, the cute Kate Thomas (China Anderson), who instantly becomes his best friend and first love. Their blooming relationship, however, was short lived as Kate was eventually adopted and taken away from the orphanage. Left alone after Kate's departure, Norbit was bullied throughout much of his childhood until he found a protector and ally in the hefty, big-boned Rasputia Latimore (Eddie Murphy), who from then on has never let go of him.
In his adulthood, he eventually married the gigantic Rasputia with little or no choice at all. His life with Rasputia, an overbearing and domineering wife who insulted and intimidated him often, was like hell. Add further to this the fact that Norbit was compelled to work for his three mean brothers (Terry Crews, Clifton Powell, Lester "Rasta" Speight) who operate a shadowy construction company and were much feared in their locality. Hope of a new day came for Norbit when Kate (Thandie Newton), her long lost love, returns to town to buy the orphanage. However, Norbit was consequently disheartened when he learned that Kate was getting married to Deion Hughes (Cuba Gooding Jr.). When word reached the Latimore's that Kate was buying the orphanage, which they have long talked Mr. Wong into buying but did not get him to agree, they got her fiancée, Deion to agree on a plan to trick Kate so that they can claim the orphanage. Norbit was also intimidated by Rasputia to become an accomplice to their evil scheme by using him to get Kate to sign certain papers they need for the transfer of the orphanage to them.
What would have been a rekindled romance between Norbit and Kate abruptly ended with the latter hurting over Norbit's lies. Norbit attempted to talk to Kate to explain his side but the latter refused. What made the situation much worse was that Rasputia and his brothers locked him up in the cellar to stop him from interfering in Kate's and Deion's wedding. To cut the story short, Norbit escaped, stalled the wedding and told Kate everything he knew about Deion's checkered past with his three ex-wives. Kate and Norbit ultimately bought the orphanage and got married. Rasputia and his brothers set up a bar in Mexico with the former as stripper.
Film Review/Analysis
Norbit is an Academy Award nominated and Golden Raspberry Awards winning comedy film directed by Brian Robbins and starring its co-writer, Eddie Murphy, in three leading roles - as Norbit, Mr. Wong and Rasputia. Top notch actors and actresses in the movie include Thandie Newton, Terry Crews, Clifton Powell, Lester "Rasta" Speight, Eddie Griffin, Katt Williams, Marlon Wayans, and Cuba Gooding, Jr. It was released by DreamWorks Pictures through Paramount Pictures on February 9, 2007. This is not the first time Eddie Murphy takes more than one character in one movie. He did the same thing in seven other films that include, among others, Nutty Professor 1 & 2 and Bowfinger. The movie stands as his second highest opener next to Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, which opened in 2000.
Ironically, Norbit was also nominated for multiple Razzies, the annual awards "honoring" the worst films of the year. Of the eight nominations, five were for Eddie Murphy alone including worst actor in the title role, supporting actress as Rasputia, supporting actor as Mr. Wong and worst screen couple for Norbit opposite either of Murphy's other characters. Norbit was dubbed as one of the worst movies of the year but despite the controversy, negative reviews, and Razzie nominations, the film received an Academy award nomination for best make up.
Indeed, many reviews made of the film were overwhelmingly negative especially in theme, overall message and treatment of characters. Some view the movie as racist, blatantly hateful of women and obscene. A National Public Radio film critic labeled the film as thoughtless, vulgar and insensitive as to lack all refinement and delicacy. It further said the film creates stereotypes of black women as obese and overweight. Indeed, for all of Eddie Murphy's comedies, there has always been something positive and “feel good” theme at the center. Norbit, however, failed in this respect. The story revolved more on the meanness of Rasputia and her brothers, and makes so much fun and parody about her being fat which sometimes makes one associate if their truly is any relation between being fat and mean.
The talents of such good actors as Cuba Gooding Jr. and Thandie Newton were such a waste as they have very limited exposure and these were even dominated by the presence of Eddie Murphy in every scene. Murphy's comedic formula worked for him the last few years but admittedly in this film, his efforts worked less to achieve his goal to come up with truly funny and entertaining scenes. Murphy's interpretation of Rasputia as a gigantic, mean black woman over and over again becomes very tiresome. As Norbit, he was also unable to realistically generate the empathy needed for the character. It is in his role as the Chinese old man, that he appeared to have shone more probably because this is an entirely different characterization from among the many films that he has already made.
By and large, the character of Norbit is incredible but Murphy, without much effort was able to give character to the role in a unique way. It is just unfortunate that director Brian Robbins spent more time showcasing Rasputia than Norbit. The movie could have presented a much stronger comedy if the main attraction was on Norbit. Brian Robbins, a TV producer in real life, is a disappointment here as the director. Jay Scherick and David Ronn's story was simply a fairy tale presented in comedy style.
If there is one saving factor to Norbit, as critics point out, it is the makeup. Aptly, the film received a nomination in the Oscar for this category. This is the fifth movie in which Murphy and Oscar-winning special effects makeup artist Richard A. Baker have worked together. Their past collaborations include Coming to America, The Nutty Professor, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps and The Haunted Mansion. This is Baker's 11th Oscar nomination and it appears that he keeps perfecting his fat-suit skills from one movie to another. The make-up and prosthetics realistically portrayed the three differing characterizations that Murphy played.
References:
Norbit. 2007. Yahoo Movies. 29 Apr 2008 <www.hollywood.com/review/Norbit/3654476 >.
Norbit. 2007. Official Site-Norbit Movie. 29 Apr 2008 <www.meetnorbit.com/>.
Norbit Review. 2007. Hollywood.com . 29 Apr 2008 <www.meetnorbit.com/>.
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