Norbit

Name	Norbit
Caption	Theatrical one-sheet poster
Alt	A large woman on top of a small man
Director	Brian Robbins
Producer	John DavisMike TollinEddie Murphy
Screenplay	Eddie MurphyCharlie MurphyJay ScherickDavid Ronn
Story	Eddie MurphyCharlie Murphy
Starring	Eddie Murphy
Music	David Newman
Cinematography	J. Clark Mathis
Editing	Ned Bastille
Studio	Davis EntertainmentTollin/Robbins Productions
Distributor	DreamWorks
Released
Runtime	102 minutes
Country
Language	English
Budget	$60 million
Gross	$159,313,561

Norbit is a 2007 American comedy film directed by Brian Robbins and starring Eddie Murphy and Thandie Newton. Produced by Davis Entertainment and Tollin/Robbins Productions, the film also stars Terry Crews, Clifton Powell, Lester "Rasta" Speight, Eddie Griffin, Katt Williams, Marlon Wayans, and Cuba Gooding, Jr.. It was released by DreamWorks on February 9, 2007.

Rick Baker and Kazuhiro Tsuji received an Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup, though garnering many nominations and wins at the 2007 Golden Raspberry Awards. Although it received negative reviews by critics, the movie was a commercial success.

Plot

Norbit Albert Rice (Eddie Murphy) and Kate Thomas (Thandie Newton) were the best of friends as children in an orphanage owned by their father figure, Mr. Wong (Eddie Murphy), but were separated when Kate was adopted. While being bullied by twins in the orphanage, Norbit is saved by Rasputia Latimore (Eddie Murphy), a fat, self-centered, overbearing, vain girl who makes Norbit her boyfriend and protects him from other kids. As they both grow up, Rasputia dominates every aspect of Norbit's life. They eventually marry, and Rasputia mistreats, insults and dominates Norbit to ensure that she keeps him to herself.

Years later, Norbit is performing a puppet show for the children at the orphanage when he sees Kate for the first time in years. Stunned by her, his affection for her returns. He is disappointed to find out that she is engaged to Deion Hughes (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), a sneaky, slick-talking businessman. Eventually Kate and Norbit fall in love with each other, resulting from Kate teaching Norbit how to finally ride a bike.

Rasputia finds out about Norbit and Kate's affection for each other and tries to prevent Norbit from talking to her. Things become more complicated when Norbit uncovers a plan by the Latimore brothers, Black Jack (Terry Crews), Earl (Clifton Powell) and Blue (Lester "Rasta" Speight), who wish to purchase Kate and Norbit's former orphanage to open up a strip club. The brothers convince Deion to become their business partner in the venture. When Kate finds out about the deal she assumes Norbit was behind it all and only used her. When she confronts him after he is locked in the basement by a resentful Rasputia, Norbit lies to Kate to save her from Rasputia. In a fit of rage, Kate leaves Norbit to marry Deion.

Norbit escapes his confinement in the basement, and races to the church where Deion and Kate are to be married. Norbit reveals that Deion has gotten rich off of divorce settlements, and only marries women for their money; he proves this by presenting Deion's ex-wives and children in person. Deion flees, and the Latimores attack Norbit.

Just as the brothers prepare to kill Norbit, a mob of townspeople arrive. They have all taken up arms to defend Norbit and get revenge on the Latimores. Rasputia fights her way through the crowd, but just when Rasputia is about to kill Norbit, she is harpooned in the rear by Mr. Wong. Rasputia along with her brothers and Deion are chased out of town by the mob.

Kate and Norbit buy the orphanage and get married under the tree where they once played as children. Rasputia and her brothers move to Mexico and open up the El Nipplopolis, where Rasputia becomes their most popular and lucrative stripper.

Cast

Eddie Murphy as Norbit Albert Rice, a cowardly and ugly nerd. Murphy also provided the voices for Rasputia Latimore, his fat and evil wife, and Mr. Wong, Norbit and Kate's adoptive father.

Thandie Newton as Kate Thomas, Norbit's friend and love interest.

Terry Crews as Big Black Jack Latimore, the oldest of Rasputia's brothers.

Lester "Rasta" Speight as Blue Latimore, the middle brother.

Clifton Powell as Earlington "Earl" Latimore, the baby brother of the group.

Eddie Griffin as Pope Sweet Jesus, an ex-pimp.

Katt Williams as Lord Have Mercy, Pope's sidekick and friend.

Cuba Gooding, Jr. as Deion Hughes, Kate's fiancé.

Marlon Wayans as Buster "Bust-A-Move" Perkin, Rasputia's ugly tap-dancer.

Anthony Russell as Sam Giovanni, the owner of Giovanni's.

Michael Colyar as Morris the Barber, who owns his shop.

Pat Crawford Brown as Mrs. Henderson, an elderly woman.

Charlie Murphy (voice) as Lloyd the Dog, Mrs. Henderson's pet dog. (In the end credits this appears as Floyd the Dog.)

Khamani Griffin as Norbit - Age 5

China Anderson as Kate - Age 5

Austin Reid as Norbit - Age 9

Lindsey Sims-Lewis as Rasputia - Age 10

Reception

Critical response

Reviews of Norbit were overwhelmingly negative. Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a score of 8%, based on 10 fresh reviews out of 116, and selected top critics giving it a combined score of only 4%. The consensus described Norbit as "a cruel, crass, stereotype-filled comedy that's more depressing than funny".

Metacritic gave the film a score of 27, based on 26 reviews which were generally unfavorable.

Box office

Despite being critically slated, Norbit was a success at the box office. The movie opened to $34.2 million in the United States and was Murphy's 14th #1 box office opener.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack for Norbit was released on February 6, 2007 by Lakeshore Records.

# "Standing in the Safety Zone" - The Fairfield Four (2:41) # "It's Goin' Down" - Yung Joc (4:03) # "You Did" - Kate Earl feat. The Designated Hitters (2:26) # "I Only Want to Be with You" - Dusty Springfield (2:37) # "Milkshake" - Kelis (3:04) # "Shoppin' for Clothes" - The Coasters (2:58) # "Walk It Out" - Unk (2:54) # "Looking for You" - Kirk Franklin (4:06) # "Sweet Honey" - Slightly Stoopid (3:52) # "The Hands of Time" - Perfect Circle (6:19) # "Young Norbit" - David Newman (3:33) # "Queen of Whores" - David Newman (:46) # "Kate Returns"/"Tuesday, Tuesday" - David Newman (3:24) # "Norbit Sneaks Out" - David Newman (:33) # "Rasputia's Fury" - David Newman (1:44) # "Norbit and Kate" - David Newman (:55)

"Don't Cha" performed by The Pussycat Dolls was used in the film, but does not appear on the soundtrack album.

The song "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" is sung in Norbit and Rasputia's wedding party, but it doesn't appear in the soundtrack album.

Awards

The film was nominated for 8 Golden Raspberry Awards including Worst Picture, and won 3 awards all for Eddie Murphy as three different characters. The film was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Makeup.

Golden Raspberry Awards

Worst Picture

Worst Director

Worst Actor (Eddie Murphy; as Norbit)

Worst Actor (Cuba Gooding, Jr.)

Worst Supporting Actor (Eddie Murphy; as Mr. Wong)

Worst Supporting Actress (Eddie Murphy; as Rasputia)

Worst Screenplay

Worst Screen Couple (Eddie Murphy and either Eddie Murphy or Eddie Murphy)

Academy Award

Best Makeup (nominated)

Home media

Norbit was released on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, and HD DVD on June 5, 2007. Since HD DVD is discontinued, Norbit remains available on Blu-ray and DVD.

Television airings

The film made its network television premiere on Saturday April 24, 2010, on ABC. The network edited out most of the profanity.

References

External links

Category:2007 films Category:American films Category:English-language films Category:2000s romantic comedy films Category:African American films Category:American romantic comedy films Category:Davis Entertainment films Category:DreamWorks films