Pop Culture Buzz

GRADE: F

Why didn’t I listen to the critics and to the reviews of “Norbit” before I got my hopes up on this movie? I knew right away it was going for the easy joke by making fun of fat women. When I first saw the trailer for this movie I have to admit that I laughed at the “are you wearing bottoms” scene and the “don’t you wish your girlfriend was hot like me?” bit. But, I felt dirty and kind of mean for doing so. It is common knowledge that gay people, the handicapped and big people are the last remaining minorities that are allowed to be made fun of in pop culture, but “Norbit” goes beyond the laughs for down right humiliation and cruelty. Norbit’s wife “Rasuptina” is the most hideous character ever filmed, and I am not talking about her obvious image. There is absolutely nothing to like in this movie.

We all know that Eddie Murphy can do multiple roles and pull off different ethnic characters in his movies (”The Nutty Professor”, “Coming to America”). Never before has this talents seemed so contrived or come off as crude and egotistical as it does in “Norbit”. Within the first few moments of “Norbit” we see a baby thrown out of a car, an offensive Asian stereotype and one amateurish camera angle after another.

The Director of “Norbit” Brian Robbins (from the 80’s show “Head of the Class” pictured above to the far right) is a two-bit hack actor turned director who films his movies (”Varsity Blues” and “The Shaggy Dog”) with a Disney gloss and without any substance to them. He resorts to cheap laughs from his actors and even to filming on an obvious back-lot at Universal Studios. I guess the paper thin script from both Charlie & Eddie Murphy doesn’t help either. The movie has no plot or direction from the get go and it relies solely on visual humor.

“Norbit” reminded me of the worst movie EVER made, last years Wayan Brothers “hit” R-rated comedy “Little Man”. The year before that movie came out the crown for worst film belonged to “White Chicks”, another movie in the same nasty vein as “Norbit” and “Little Man”. The worst thing about all of these films getting made is that they actually make money for the studio’s. Who is the audience that laughs at these jokes? Let’s not forget that all of these movies are considered “big hits” because they cost so little to make……(ewwww that’s just gross to me).

To sum it up, not even the gorgeous and talented Thandie Newton (”Crash”) could save this film. You can see the big paycheck in her pocket as she lazily recites her lines. As I watched this film I couldn’t help but think of the under rated “Shallow Hal” which used the same fat jokes, but delivered a sweet message and an over all original story. Eddie Murphy has sunk to new lows in “Norbit”. If this movie is the reason why Murphy didn’t get the Oscar this past year for his role in “Dreamgirls”, then I am fine with that. Shame on you Eddie!