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"More Unlikely
Couple... Norbit &
Thandie or Eddie &
Oscar?" |
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Directed by Brian
Robbins - Written by
Eddie Murphy, C. Murphy,
J. Scherick
Cast: Eddie Murphy,
Thandie Newton, Eddie
Griffin, Terry Crews,
Cuba Gooding Jr
Distributed by Paramount
& DreamWorks -
2007 - 110m - Rated PG13 |
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Richard Propes'
Review
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C |
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There are a couple ways to view "Norbit," Eddie Murphy's pre-Oscar
return to his latex riddled comedic days... |
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First, you can cringe
and think to yourself "How can we possibly give the Oscar to someone
who would also appear in "Norbit?" Of course, this completely
ignores the numerous other crappy films Murphy made (Ummm. "Pluto
Nash," anyone?). However, it's hard to deny that your typical Oscar
winner hasn't really made as many bad films as Murphy and, well,
"Norbit" is sort of a reminder of his not so funny comedic past.
Ironically, one of the few Oscar winners who HAS made just about as
many bombs as Murphy, Cuba Gooding, Jr., is also in "Norbit."
But, I digress.
Secondly, you could look at "Norbit" as Murphy returning to his
comic roots, the roots that largely opened the door to his film
career. Love him or hate him, with only a few exceptions Murphy's
films do, in fact, make a lot of money. Hollywood, for better or
worse, hardly argues with someone who makes them a lot of money and
then, finally, turns in a damn good performance.
The critics? Heck, we don't know what to make of "Norbit." The
reviews themselves have been across the spectrum of thought and
opinion ranging from near trashings to recognizing the quality of
Murphy's performance in a less than stellar vehicle as directed by
Brian Robbins ("The Shaggy Dog," "The Perfect Score" and "Good
Burger" among others).
The truth is simple. "Norbit" is neither as bad as many would have
you believe nor a comic playground for Murphy's kaleidoscope of
characterizations. "Norbit" is a reasonably entertaining film in
which Murphy manages to overcome a wealth of poorly written material
that is, in turn, badly directed by Robbins. As Murphy always seems
to do, save for the "Pluto Nash" debacle, he manages to make even
mediocre material somehow seem a bit more entertaining.
In "Norbit," Murphy plays a mild-mannered nerd who is engaged to a
monstrous, over-sexed woman (also played by Murphy) when he meets
the woman of his dreams (Thandie Newton). He sets out to find a way
to be with the woman of his dreams and, in scenes that put "My Super
Ex-Girlfriend" to shame, has to deal with the wrath of his monstrous
mama of a woman.
One has to admire Murphy's willingness to overplay Rasputia, his
fiancée. "Norbit" is not a politically correct film. Rasputia is
fat, obnoxious and quite mean-spirited (which often equals funny).
Film critic Mick Lasalle has made a point that I must agree
with...if Murphy does indeed win the Oscar this weekend for his work
in "Dreamgirls," it may also serve to recognize the comic brilliance
of a man who can simultaneously be appearing in "Dreamgirls" AND
turn in "Norbit," where he plays the title character, Rasputia and
his own father, a Chinese man named Mr. Wong.
Could Leonardo pull off all four performances? I don't think so.
Murphy does pull off all four performances, and while "Norbit" isn't
even remotely in the neighborhood of "Dreamgirls" (which is also
overrated, in this critic's opinion), Murphy's performances are
funny, touching, outrageous, energized and convincing.
It's hard to watch "Norbit" without being utterly blown away by
Murphy's performance in "Dreamgirls."
In supporting performances, both Newton and, believe it nor not,
Gooding turn in decent performances. Newton is herself coming off a
highly praised performance in the Oscar-nominated "The Pursuit of
Happyness."
Robbins' direction is, sadly, quite lacking and the script by Jay
Scherick and David Ronn leaves much to be desired. Yet, "Norbit" may
very well be another audience pleasure for Murphy as it returns him
to his roots taking unlikeable characters and making the audience
laugh with them not at them (Okay. Okay. Occasionally, we do laugh
AT them).
I wasn't sure before, but now I am. Murphy gets my vote for this
weekend's Oscar...by elevating a film that should have been one of
this year's worst films, Murphy again proves that his performance in
"Dreamgirls" was no fluke.
Is Murphy going to lose the Oscar this weekend?
Fat chance. |
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© Written by Richard Propes -
Email Me! |
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How We Rated This Film
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TC Candler -
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| Richard Propes
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C |
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Jacob Hall
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TC Candler's Comment
n/a
Jacob Hall's
Comment
n/a
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