On DVD: Norbit

Directed by Brian Robbins

Starring Eddie Murphy, Thandie Newton, Cuba Gooding Jr, Marlon Wayans, and Eddie Griffin

Norbit (Eddie Murphy) is sadly mistreated from the beginning; he gets dumped on an on the doorstep of an orphanage and left in the care of a surly Mr. Wong (Eddie Murphy). The little dorky guy, however, finds love with Kate (Thandie Newton) when he’s a mere 8-year-old. But crushingly soon, Kate gets adopted and moves far away, leaving Norbit all alone. Yet, another girl comes crashing into Norbit’s life as Norbit is getting beat up in the sandbox. Rasputia’s (Eddie Murphy) a really big girl so she scares off the bullies easily. While she might seem like an ally, she soon takes avantage of Norbit’s kind, but weak nature.

As the story unfolds, Norbit and Rasputia are unhappily married, that is until Kate comes back to town—with her fiancé, Dieo(Cuba Gooding, Jr). Yet, there’s still a chance love could rebloom between Kate and Norbit. Will the selfish, controlling Rasputia give up underappreciated Norbit to a pretty little thing from Norbit’s past? Not without a fight. Thus unfolds the story of Norbit in a silly tale about getting a second chance at real love and come-uppance.

The Film

The plot is basic, but as far as romantic comedies go, it could work—that is if the writing was better. As much as I hate to say it, Norbit really isn’t that funny, which is just plain unfortunate because Eddie Murphy has a history of making us laugh. Eddie has a knack for playing multiple stereotypical characters in a funny way.

Romantic comedies often have a feel-good mood running throughout the film. Norbit loses its feel for feel good right away because Norbit just ain’t a hero. (Sometimes I wonder the feel-good movie died in the 90’s).  Norbit is a pushover who won’t stand up for himself. The typical kid who get’s bullied in the playground has more balls than Norbit.

Murphy surprising loses us fast and hard with Norbit, though he’s done much better work. Let’s look at Coming to America as a comparison. The Prince (Murphy), steeped in opulence and pomp, wanted to find love with someone based on who he was as a person, not on what was in his bank account. So he and his friend move to New York and live as paupers. We can root for a guy like that because he becomes a real person in the moment he lays down his riches for love. He also gets the girl of his dreams and they get to live happily ever after. If Norbit had that kind of feel-good element to it, we might have liked it a little more.

Also, Rasputia seems like she might be a funny character to laugh at with her attitude, demeanor, and catch phrase “How yer doing?!” But, she’s just a mean bitch and audiences hate mean bitches. Racial stereotypes can be funny. Rasputia, though representing the big black girl with spunk, is a totally dead character to me because she is so over-the-top.

The romantic element to the story is also completely unbelievable. I don’t think Kate, though nice, would ever fall for someone like Norbit. The writers tried to use a chiasmus of doppelganger couples to create the basis of the conflict and eventual resolution. Norbit and Kate are nice people; Rasputia and Deion are selfish. (These two couples needed to be on Wife Swap, by the way!) Regardless of the attempt, Rasputia’s characterization is so loud that she overshadows any good writing that could have existed in this film.

Simply put, the characters kill this movie, which is unfortunate because Murphy has done much better work.

3/10

The Video

The anamorphic widescreen presentation features vivid colors and solid detail all the way through.  This is a new movie and it looks it here on DVD.  Nothing really to complain about and at the same time not much exciting either.

8.5/10

The Audio

The Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation is mostly unremarkable while it does get the job done.  Other than the music everything is front loaded with no ambient sounds to create an immersive environment.  Dialogue is clean and easy to hear throughout and well balanced with music and sound effects.  It's Dolby Digital 5.1 but is a basic presentation.

7/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features

The DVD release is in a standard aramay case with a picture of a smiling Rasputia on top of a terrified Norbit. It's fairly unremarkable but it does sell the film.

The first bonus feature is a standard making of featurette with interviews with the cast and a lot of back slapping of Eddie Murphy, pretty uninspired.

Next up is a set of three featurettes covering the special effects, the stunts, and a infomercial for the Marlon Wayans exercise tape featured in the film.  None of these short featurettes are stellar but they are adequate to the film.

Where's the commentary?

5/10

Obviously we didn't like the film, but if you did the video presentation is solid and the audio is good enough.  So, if you like it this package is worth you picking it up but if you ask us we say pass on this one.

Overall (Not an Average) 4/10

Review:

The Film 3/10

The Video 7/10

The Audio 7/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features 5/10

Overall 4/10

-Chuck Knight