, a domineering figure who represents the "monstrous" obstacles he must overcome [13, 16, 34]. A Story of Second Chances : The return of his childhood sweetheart, Kate Thomas
This financial triumph, however, was in stark opposition to how critics received the film. Norbit was savaged by reviewers who called it "mean-spirited," "extremely ridiculous," and "barely funny". Critics pointed to the film's relentless reliance on crude and sexual humor, as well as its problematic portrayal of Rasputia, whose character’s main joke seemed to be her weight and exaggerated "ghetto" mannerisms. The film currently holds a notoriously low score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, cementing its place in the annals of critically despised movies. Norbit
The physical transformation for Rasputia was extreme. Murphy was buried under a massive "fat suit," requiring hours in the makeup chair each day. Rasputia is loud, aggressive, and defined by her booming catchphrase, "How you doin'?" . She represents the peak of Murphy's willingness to push his comedy into uncomfortable, over-the-top territory, a choice that would become one of the film's most debated elements. , a domineering figure who represents the "monstrous"
The movie's plot is a clever vehicle for Eddie Murphy's comedic talents, allowing him to play not one, not two, but three distinct characters: Norbit, Rasputia, and Nordberg, a Nordic-accented, macho ladies' man who is Norbit's business partner. Murphy's impressive vocal range and physical comedy skills are on full display as he effortlessly switches between characters, often in the same scene. Critics pointed to the film's relentless reliance on
That night, as Razzle snored like a broken chainsaw, Norbit sat on his back porch. The swamp frogs were singing. And for the first time in forty years, he heard a tiny voice inside him—not Mr. Wong’s gentle encouragement, not Razzle’s thunderous demands. It was his own.
In addition, "Norbit" has become a cult classic, with fans continuing to quote lines and reference characters from the movie. The film's themes of identity, family, and love are timeless, and its exploration of the complexities of human relationships continues to resonate with audiences.
The release of Norbit on February 9, 2007, created a remarkable spectacle. Critics unloaded a torrent of negative reviews. The film’s Rotten Tomatoes score, based on over 120 reviews, sat at a stunningly low 9%, with the critical consensus describing it as “full of anger, cruelty, mugging, unfunny slapstick, and old-fashioned racial stereotypes”. The Washington Post was particularly harsh, stating that “ Norbit feels artless and callow,” with a brand of political incorrectness that lacked the satirical edge of a film like Borat .