Norbit

In “Dreamgirls,” Eddie Murphy proved his acting skills, surprising critics who thought his film career was heading downhill. To release “Norbit,” released in 2007, a little two months later is quite a risk. Early trailers would think this “Big Momma” doppelganger will ruin his dramatic clipper back on the ruins. Not so.

“Norbit” is a delightfully hilarious film that will make you laugh until you cheer. Murphy plays Norbit, a smart but socially challenged outsider whose life starts sadly as he’s thrown by his biological parents on the side of the road outside a combination Chinese restaurant/orphanage – where he is raised by Mr. Wong, also played by Murphy. When Kate, played by Thandie Newton, his first crush at the orphanage is adopted and leaves, Norbit is forced into a relationship with the obese, bad attitude Rasputia, also played by Murphy.

This forced relationship leads to an unhappy marriage as Rasputia gets more obese, and Norbit becomes more reclusive. However, when Kate comes back with her fiancé, played by Cuba Gooding Jr., Norbit plans to escape – and comedy ensues.

Everyone knows Murphy’s talent for impressions (fans will remember his sketches from Saturday Night Live and his famous comedy performance, “Raw” from the 80s), but in “Norbit” he perfects the costume and prosthetics transformative performance he helped invent in “The Nutty Professor.”

He completely enters into the personas of Wong and Rasputia, moving them safely beyond the area between character and caricature, and then using them to satirize cultural issues like racism and obesity. Thus far as the prosthetics go, they’re amazing.

The result is a comedy that is as completely unruly as it is ridiculous. Director Brian Robbins keeps the pace up, clearly giving Murphy full creativity, and screenplay writers Jay Scherick and David Ronn keep the laughs – despite that Murphy’s innate comedian is responsible for Rasputia’s repetitive “How YOU Doin’” catchphrase, sure to be quoted from teenagers everywhere after seeing this. I wouldn’t be surprised if Murphy took that catchphrase from Wendy Williams.

Gooding is sadly wasted, and Newton, as endearing as she is, doesn’t truly convince us when her character goes back and forth with Norbit on emotional motivation, but Murphy is helped by Terry Crews, Lester “Rasta” Speight, Clifton Powell, Marlon Wayans, the late Charlie Murphy (his real-life brother) as the voice of a dog, and Eddie Griffin and Katt Williams as “Pope Sweet Jesus” and “Lord Have Mercy,” respectively.

When the script falls (and it does, continuously), Murphy carries bravely on in character – and in more cases, than can be counted, he forces the editor’s hand with a gesture, facial expression, or final improvisation from Rasputia. The result is a performance that may exist in complete contrast with his Oscar-winning role as James “Thunder” Early – but it’s in every way entertaining.

I remember seeing trailers for this movie and I thought it would be funny. I saw it about a decade ago when I was either on break between classes or I was done for the day. I was sitting in the student lounge on a laptop that I borrowed from the front desk watching this movie, I was laughing the entire time. I think a lot of the critics thought this film wasn’t a good comedy, but I don’t agree with them. I would say check this movie out if you’re a fan of any of the cast members on here, especially Murphy playing different characters. You will laugh a lot at this film, as I know I did.

Alright, everyone, we have now reached the end of “Cuba Gooding Jr. Month.” I hope everyone enjoyed it and has seen the films that I recommended. See everyone next month for more excitement.