Norbit
Encyclopedia
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.
The film received an Academy Award nomination for makeup, though the film also received multiple "wins" at the 2007 Golden Raspberry Awards. Although it was negatively received by critics, the movie was a commercial success.
) 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 - in part due to pressure from Rasputia's three coarse, muscular brothers, Black Jack (Terry Crews
), Earl (Clifton Powell
) and Blue (Lester "Rasta" Speight), who the whole town live in fear of. Throughout their life together, Rasputia mistreats, insults and dominates Norbit to ensure that she keeps him to herself, eventually starting to cheat with her tap dance
instructor.
Norbit is performing a puppet show for the children at the orphanage, but then sees Kate for the first time in years, and 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, with help from Norbit's two ex-pimp friends Pope Sweet Jesus (Eddie Griffin
) and Lord Have Mercy (Katt Williams
) and the other townspeople, Kate falls in love with Norbit. Rasputia finds out about this, and threatens violence against Kate should Norbit speak to her again.
Norbit discovers that the Lattimore brothers have orchestrated a plot to purchase Kate and Norbit's former orphanage to open up a strip club: since Deion is to be married to Kate, he will have possession of the property, and he gets a share of the money once the strip club opens. When Kate finds out about the deal, Deion convinces her that Norbit only used her to help the Lattimores. When she confronts him after he is locked in the basement by a vengeful Rasputia, Norbit lies to Kate to save her from Rasputia. In a fit of rage, Kate leaves Norbit to marry Deion. Norbit escapes from 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, they are stopped by the townspeople, who have taken up arms to defend Norbit and get their revenge on the Lattimores. In the ensuing battle, 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, the brothers, and Deion are all 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.
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.
, DVD
, and HD DVD
on June 5, 2007. Since HD DVD
is discontinued, Norbit remains available on Blu-ray and DVD.
for Norbit was released on February 6, 2007 by Lakeshore Records
.
"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.
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
.
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
directed by Brian Robbins
Brian Robbins
Brian Robbins is an American actor and producer, director and screenwriter. He often collaborates with Mike Tollin.-Biography:...
and starring Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy
Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, singer, director, and musician....
and Thandie Newton
Thandie Newton
Thandiwe Nashita "Thandie" Newton is a British actress. She has appeared in a number of British and American films, including The Pursuit of Happyness, Mission: Impossible II, Crash, Run, Fatboy, Run and W....
. Produced by Davis Entertainment
Davis Entertainment
Davis Entertainment is an American independent film production company, founded by John Davis in 1985.-Selected filmography:* Brewster's Millions * "Crocodile" Dundee * Predator * Superman IV: The Quest for Peace...
and Tollin/Robbins Productions, the film also stars Terry Crews
Terry Crews
Terrence Alan "Terry" Crews is an American actor, comedian, voice artist and a former player in the National Football League....
, Clifton Powell
Clifton Powell
-Movie career:Powell is known for playing the role of Pinky in the 2000 comedy film, Next Friday and its 2002 sequel, Friday After Next. Powell stars also in the Indie thriller Chain Letter.In 2009 he played "Bowman" in the film Just Another Day...
, Lester "Rasta" Speight, Eddie Griffin
Eddie Griffin
Edward James "Eddie" Griffin, Jr. is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his sitcom, Malcolm & Eddie along with co-star, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and his role in the 2002 comedy film Undercover Brother as the film’s title character.-Early life:Griffin was born in Kansas City,...
, Katt Williams
Katt Williams
Micah S. Katt Williams is a U.S. comedian, rapper, and actor. He is best known for his role as Money Mike in Friday After Next...
, Marlon Wayans
Marlon Wayans
Marlon L. Wayans is an American actor, model producer, comedian, writer, and director of movies, beginning with his role as a pedestrian in I'm Gonna Git You Sucka in 1988...
, and Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Cuba M. Gooding, Jr. is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his Academy Award-winning portrayal of Rod Tidwell in Cameron Crowe's 1996 film Jerry Maguire, and his critically acclaimed performance as Tré Styles in John Singleton's 1991 film Boyz n the Hood.-Early life:Gooding was born...
. It was released by DreamWorks
DreamWorks
DreamWorks Pictures, also known as DreamWorks, LLC, DreamWorks SKG, DreamWorks II Distribution Co., LLC, DreamWorks Studios or DW Studios, LLC, is an American film studio which develops, produces, and distributes films, video games and television programming...
on February 9, 2007.
The film received an Academy Award nomination for makeup, though the film also received multiple "wins" at the 2007 Golden Raspberry Awards. Although it was negatively received by critics, the movie was a commercial success.
Plot
Norbit Albert Rice (Eddie MurphyEddie Murphy
Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, singer, director, and musician....
) and Kate Thomas (Thandie Newton
Thandie Newton
Thandiwe Nashita "Thandie" Newton is a British actress. She has appeared in a number of British and American films, including The Pursuit of Happyness, Mission: Impossible II, Crash, Run, Fatboy, Run and W....
) were the best of friends as children in an orphanage owned by their father figure, Mr. Wong (Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy
Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, singer, director, and musician....
), but were separated when Kate was adopted. While being bullied by twins in the orphanage, Norbit is saved by Rasputia Latimore (Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy
Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, singer, director, and musician....
), 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 - in part due to pressure from Rasputia's three coarse, muscular brothers, Black Jack (Terry Crews
Terry Crews
Terrence Alan "Terry" Crews is an American actor, comedian, voice artist and a former player in the National Football League....
), Earl (Clifton Powell
Clifton Powell
-Movie career:Powell is known for playing the role of Pinky in the 2000 comedy film, Next Friday and its 2002 sequel, Friday After Next. Powell stars also in the Indie thriller Chain Letter.In 2009 he played "Bowman" in the film Just Another Day...
) and Blue (Lester "Rasta" Speight), who the whole town live in fear of. Throughout their life together, Rasputia mistreats, insults and dominates Norbit to ensure that she keeps him to herself, eventually starting to cheat with her tap dance
Tap dance
Tap dance is a form of dance characterized by using the sound of one's tap shoes hitting the floor as a percussive instrument. As such, it is also commonly considered to be a form of music. Two major variations on tap dance exist: rhythm tap and Broadway tap. Broadway tap focuses more on the...
instructor.
Norbit is performing a puppet show for the children at the orphanage, but then sees Kate for the first time in years, and his affection for her returns. He is disappointed to find out that she is engaged to Deion Hughes (Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Cuba M. Gooding, Jr. is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his Academy Award-winning portrayal of Rod Tidwell in Cameron Crowe's 1996 film Jerry Maguire, and his critically acclaimed performance as Tré Styles in John Singleton's 1991 film Boyz n the Hood.-Early life:Gooding was born...
), a sneaky, slick-talking businessman. Eventually, with help from Norbit's two ex-pimp friends Pope Sweet Jesus (Eddie Griffin
Eddie Griffin
Edward James "Eddie" Griffin, Jr. is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his sitcom, Malcolm & Eddie along with co-star, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and his role in the 2002 comedy film Undercover Brother as the film’s title character.-Early life:Griffin was born in Kansas City,...
) and Lord Have Mercy (Katt Williams
Katt Williams
Micah S. Katt Williams is a U.S. comedian, rapper, and actor. He is best known for his role as Money Mike in Friday After Next...
) and the other townspeople, Kate falls in love with Norbit. Rasputia finds out about this, and threatens violence against Kate should Norbit speak to her again.
Norbit discovers that the Lattimore brothers have orchestrated a plot to purchase Kate and Norbit's former orphanage to open up a strip club: since Deion is to be married to Kate, he will have possession of the property, and he gets a share of the money once the strip club opens. When Kate finds out about the deal, Deion convinces her that Norbit only used her to help the Lattimores. When she confronts him after he is locked in the basement by a vengeful Rasputia, Norbit lies to Kate to save her from Rasputia. In a fit of rage, Kate leaves Norbit to marry Deion. Norbit escapes from 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, they are stopped by the townspeople, who have taken up arms to defend Norbit and get their revenge on the Lattimores. In the ensuing battle, 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, the brothers, and Deion are all 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
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and open up the El Nipplopolis, where Rasputia becomes their most popular and lucrative stripper.
Cast
- Eddie MurphyEddie MurphyEdward Regan "Eddie" Murphy is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, singer, director, and musician....
portrayed:- Norbit Albert Rice, a shy but lovable nerd.
- Rasputia Latimore, an obese and lazy woman married to Norbit.
- Mr. Hangten Wong, the owner of the orphanageOrphanageAn orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
where Norbit and Kate grew up.
- Thandie NewtonThandie NewtonThandiwe Nashita "Thandie" Newton is a British actress. She has appeared in a number of British and American films, including The Pursuit of Happyness, Mission: Impossible II, Crash, Run, Fatboy, Run and W....
as Kate Thomas, Norbit's friend, whom he is romantically interested in. - Terry CrewsTerry CrewsTerrence Alan "Terry" Crews is an American actor, comedian, voice artist and a former player in the National Football League....
as Big Black Jack Latimore, Rasputia's eldest brother. - Lester "Rasta" Speight as Blue Latimore, Rasputia's middle brother.
- Clifton PowellClifton Powell-Movie career:Powell is known for playing the role of Pinky in the 2000 comedy film, Next Friday and its 2002 sequel, Friday After Next. Powell stars also in the Indie thriller Chain Letter.In 2009 he played "Bowman" in the film Just Another Day...
as Earlington "Earl" Latimore, Rasputia's youngest brother. - Eddie GriffinEddie GriffinEdward James "Eddie" Griffin, Jr. is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his sitcom, Malcolm & Eddie along with co-star, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and his role in the 2002 comedy film Undercover Brother as the film’s title character.-Early life:Griffin was born in Kansas City,...
as Pope Sweet Jesus, an ex-pimp - Katt WilliamsKatt WilliamsMicah S. Katt Williams is a U.S. comedian, rapper, and actor. He is best known for his role as Money Mike in Friday After Next...
as Lord Have Mercy, Pope's sidekick and friend. - Cuba Gooding, Jr.Cuba Gooding, Jr.Cuba M. Gooding, Jr. is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his Academy Award-winning portrayal of Rod Tidwell in Cameron Crowe's 1996 film Jerry Maguire, and his critically acclaimed performance as Tré Styles in John Singleton's 1991 film Boyz n the Hood.-Early life:Gooding was born...
as Deion Hughes, Kate's fiancé. He has several children with different mothers. - Marlon WayansMarlon WayansMarlon L. Wayans is an American actor, model producer, comedian, writer, and director of movies, beginning with his role as a pedestrian in I'm Gonna Git You Sucka in 1988...
as Buster "Bust-A-Move" Perkin, Rasputia's tap dancing instructor. - Anthony Russell as Sam Giovanni, the owner of Giovanni's.
- Michael ColyarMichael ColyarMichael Colyar is an American comedian and motivational speaker. He is mostly known as the heavy-hitting concert promoter "Showboat" in the 1994 movie, House Party 3.Colyar also spent his formative years as a comic, busking on Venice Beach....
as Morris the Barber - Pat Crawford BrownPat Crawford Brown-Personal life:Brown was born in New York City, the daughter of Charlotte and Thomas J. Brown. She is the aunt of folk singer Christine Lavin.She was married to Calvin B...
as Mrs. Henderson, an elderly woman. - Charlie MurphyCharlie MurphyCharles Quinton "Charlie" Murphy is an American actor, comedian, and writer notable as being a cast member and writer on the Comedy Central sketch-comedy series Chappelle's Show...
(voice) as Lloyd the Dog, Mrs. Henderson's pet dog. (Credited as Floyd the Dog.) - Khamani GriffinKhamani GriffinKhamani Griffin is an American child actor and is best known for playing the voice of Tolee in the Nick Jr show Ni Hao, Kai-Lan....
as Norbit - Age 5 - China Anderson as Kate - Age 5
- Austin Reid as Norbit - Age 13
- Lindsey Sims-Lewis as Rasputia - Age 12
Critical response
Reviews of Norbit were overwhelmingly negative. Review aggregation website Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
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
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
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.Home media
Norbit was released on Blu-ray DiscBlu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the DVD format. The plastic disc is 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, the same size as DVDs and CDs. Blu-ray Discs contain 25 GB per layer, with dual layer discs being the norm for feature-length video discs...
, DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
, and HD DVD
HD DVD
HD DVD is a discontinued high-density optical disc format for storing data and high-definition video.Supported principally by Toshiba, HD DVD was envisioned to be the successor to the standard DVD format...
on June 5, 2007. Since HD DVD
HD DVD
HD DVD is a discontinued high-density optical disc format for storing data and high-definition video.Supported principally by Toshiba, HD DVD was envisioned to be the successor to the standard DVD format...
is discontinued, Norbit remains available on Blu-ray and DVD.
Soundtrack
The soundtrackSoundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
for Norbit was released on February 6, 2007 by Lakeshore Records
Lakeshore Records
Lakeshore Records is the independent music division of Lakeshore Entertainment . They started out as WILL Records.Will Records were started by Skip Williamson in the early 90s...
.
- "Standing in the Safety Zone" - The Fairfield FourThe Fairfield FourThe Fairfield Four is a gospel group that has existed for over 80 years. They started as a trio in Nashville, Tennessee's Fairfield Baptist Church in 1921. They were designated as National Heritage Fellows in 1989 by the National Endowment for the Arts. The group won the 1998 Grammy for Best...
(2:41) - "It's Goin' DownIt's Goin' Down"It's goin' down" is slang, primarily Ebonics, which typically means "It's going to happen" or "Something is going to happen"."It's Goin' Down" may also refer to:* For the X-Ecutioners song, see "It's Goin' Down "....
" - Yung JocYung JocYaMar Jon Robinson , better known by his stage name Yung Joc, is an American rapper.-Early life:Robinson's father, Vivian Young, ran a hair-care products company and helped him write a jingle for Revlon; Robinson founded his own label to release his music.-New Joc City :After Teaming with producer...
(4:03) - "You Did" - Kate EarlKate EarlKate Earl, born Kate Joy Smithson, is an American singer-songwriter.Earl was born to Charles and Pomposa Smithson in Anchorage, Alaska. She is of Filipino and Dutch/Welsh descent. She began playing piano at 4, sang in her church choir, and began playing the guitar when she was seventeen...
feat. The Designated Hitters (2:26) - "I Only Want to Be with You" - Dusty SpringfieldDusty SpringfieldMary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'BrienSources use both Isabel and Isobel as the spelling of her second name. OBE , known professionally as Dusty Springfield and dubbed The White Queen of Soul, was a British pop singer whose career extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s...
(2:37) - "MilkshakeMilkshake (song)"Milkshake" is a song by American recording artist Kelis and the lead single from her third studio album, Tasty. The song was released in the United States on August 25, 2003, by Star Trak and Arista Records, and internationally on November 24. It was written and produced by The Neptunes, a duo...
" - KelisKelisKelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
(3:04) - "Shoppin' for Clothes" - The CoastersThe CoastersThe Coasters are an American rhythm and blues/rock and roll vocal group that had a string of hits in the late 1950s. Beginning with "Searchin'" and "Young Blood", their most memorable songs were written by the songwriting and producing team of Leiber and Stoller...
(2:58) - "Walk It OutWalk It Out"Walk It Out" is the debut single of rapper Unk from his debut album Beat'n Down Yo Block! The song has been played on the radio in Atlanta since March 2006 but gained popularity nationwide in September 2006. The song peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving him the first top-ten single of...
" - UnkUnkAnthony Platt , commonly known as Unk, is a DJ/rapper. He began spinning records in 1998. After meeting DJ Jelly and DJ Montay, he joined their DJ entourage, the Southern Style DJs. They performed for high school parties, proms, pep rallies, and other events around the state of Georgia. In 2000...
(2:54) - "Looking for You" - Kirk FranklinKirk FranklinKirk Dwayne Franklin is an American Gospel music musician, choir director, and author, and is most notably known for leading urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God's Property and One Nation Crew .- Early years :...
(4:06) - "Sweet Honey" - Slightly StoopidSlightly StoopidSlightly Stoopid is an American band based in Ocean Beach, San Diego, California, who describe their music as "a fusion of acoustic rock and blues with reggae, hip-hop, and punk". As a band, they have released eight albums with their sixth studio album, entitled Slightly Not Stoned Enough To Eat...
(3:52) - "The Hands of Time" - Perfect Circle (6:19)
- "Young Norbit" - David NewmanDavid Newman (composer)David Louis Newman is an American composer and conductor known particularly for his film scores. In a career spanning nearly forty years, he has composed music for nearly 100 feature films.-Life and career:...
(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
Don't Cha
"Don't Cha" is the debut single by American R&B/pop girl group the Pussycat Dolls. The song was originally recorded by American recording artist Tori Alamaze, and was released as her debut single in March 2005, on Universal Records. After Universal Records dropped her from the label, Cee-Lo Green...
" 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.
Accolades
The film was nominated for 8 Golden Raspberry AwardsGolden Raspberry Awards
A Golden Raspberry Award, or Razzie for short, is an award presented in recognition of the worst in movies. Founded by American copywriter and publicist John J.B. Wilson in 1981, the annual Razzie Awards ceremony in Los Angeles precedes the corresponding Academy Awards ceremony by one day...
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
Academy Award for Makeup
The Academy Award for Best Makeup is the Oscar given to the best achievement in makeup for film. Usually, only three films are nominated each year rather than five as in most categories...
.
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)