Quick Info
So, Norbit is one of those Eddie Murphy comedies from the late 2000s that kind of flew under the radar after its release. It’s a wild story about a timid orphan, Norbit, who grows up in an oddball environment and later marries the relentlessly overbearing Rasputia, both characters played by Murphy (he also plays a third role, Mr. Wong). The movie leans heavily into outrageous physical comedy and slapstick, and the plot is really just an excuse for Murphy to let loose with a bunch of bizarre personas.
What stands out is definitely Murphy’s transformative performance — he basically occupies the entire screen as three totally different, larger-than-life characters. There’s this uninhibited silliness to the whole thing, and you can tell the cast is having a good time. Thandie Newton and Cuba Gooding Jr. provide some solid support, but honestly, every scene is dominated by Murphy’s over-the-top energy and prosthetic-laden transformations.
The story itself isn’t complicated. Norbit, a gentle soul, tries to escape his marriage to Rasputia after reconnecting with his childhood sweetheart. The whole thing is studded with sight gags and physical humor, some of which absolutely lands, and some of which feels a bit forced or repetitive. There are a few sweet moments, but mostly, it’s about mining laughs from the ridiculousness of Rasputia’s character and Murphy’s ability to disappear into her role.
On the downside, some of the jokes don’t really hold up today. There’s a streak of mean-spiritedness that occasionally undercuts the fun, and a lot of the humor is super broad or relies on stereotypes. I think the movie would’ve benefited if it dialed back just a little and tried for some sharper writing instead of going all-in on shock value and visual gags. Visually, it’s slick enough for a comedy—nothing too flashy, but the make-up and costuming honestly are impressive.
You would enjoy this if you like comedies that are unapologetically goofy, have a soft spot for Eddie Murphy’s wild character work, or enjoyed movies like The Nutty Professor. It’s not high-brow and has its missteps, but it’s got enough good-natured absurdity to be a fun, brain-off watch with friends.
