That year, Eddie Murphy did something that only Eddie Murphy could do. He starred in, produced, and directed (co-directed, technically) a film that featured him playing three distinct roles: the sweet-natured title character, the obese and terrifying wife, and a frail Chinese stereotype of a stepfather. The result was Norbit .
To dismiss Norbit as lazy requires ignoring the sheer physical endurance of Eddie Murphy.
#Norbit #EddieMurphy #HotTake
Say what you will about the film – but resilience, boundaries, and finding your voice? Those lessons hold up.
Norbit spent years being bossed around by his brother and Rasputia. Don’t wait for a golden water park to realize you deserve better. Norbit
At the time of the film's release, Eddie Murphy was generating significant Oscar buzz for his dramatic turn as James "Thunder" Early in the musical Dreamgirls . Critics hailed the performance as a return to form, showcasing Murphy’s dramatic range and singing ability. He was the frontrunner for the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award.
Norbit finally stood up, reclaimed his childhood love, and took back his family’s business. That’s a career arc. That year, Eddie Murphy did something that only
Norbit is also a testament to Eddie Murphy’s specific genius. Love it or hate it, no one else could make this movie. In a world of sanitized, algorithm-generated content, Norbit is gloriously, painfully, grotesquely human. It is loud, crass, offensive, and occasionally sweet.