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NORBITNORBIT

visual review bydavid bruce

hollywoodjesus.com

Norbit (Eddie Murphy) has never had it easy. As a baby, he was Norbit (Eddie Murphy) has never had it easy. As a baby, he was abandoned on the steps of a Chinese restaurant/orphanage and abandoned on the steps of a Chinese restaurant/orphanage and raised by Mr. Wong (Eddie Murphy). Things get worse when he's raised by Mr. Wong (Eddie Murphy). Things get worse when he's forced into marriage by the mean, junk food-chugging queen, forced into marriage by the mean, junk food-chugging queen, Rasputia (Eddie Murphy). Just when Norbit's hanging by his last Rasputia (Eddie Murphy). Just when Norbit's hanging by his last thread, his childhood sweetheart, Kate (Thandie Newton), moves back thread, his childhood sweetheart, Kate (Thandie Newton), moves back to town. In the comedy "Norbit," he'll find that nice guys sometimes to town. In the comedy "Norbit," he'll find that nice guys sometimes finish first. finish first.

SHORT SYNOPSIS

Norbit (EDDIE MURPHY) gets duded up for dinner with a childhood friend, Kate (THANDIE NEWTON.

Key Actor # 1 Key Actor # 1 EDDIE MURPHYEDDIE MURPHYMr. WongMr. Wong

CAST

Key Actor # 2Key Actor # 2EDDIE MURPHYEDDIE MURPHY NorbitNorbit Key Actor # 3Key Actor # 3

EDDIE MURPHYEDDIE MURPHY RasputiaRasputia

DID YOU KNOW

Eddie Murphy is acting as three Eddie Murphy is acting as three different characters in this comedy. different characters in this comedy. This will be the sixth film in which he This will be the sixth film in which he has played multiple roles; the others has played multiple roles; the others are Coming to America, Vampire in are Coming to America, Vampire in Brooklyn, The Nutty Professor, Nutty Brooklyn, The Nutty Professor, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, and Professor II: The Klumps, and Bowfinger.Bowfinger.

This is also Eddie Murphy's second This is also Eddie Murphy's second live-action film for DreamWorks, after live-action film for DreamWorks, after Dreamgirls. Murphy is notable at Dreamgirls. Murphy is notable at DreamWorks for voicing Donkey in DreamWorks for voicing Donkey in the Shrek series of animated films.the Shrek series of animated films.

Eddie's older brother, Charlie Murphy, Eddie's older brother, Charlie Murphy, lends his voice to a handicapped dog lends his voice to a handicapped dog in the movie.in the movie.

BRIAN ROBBINS (director/executive BRIAN ROBBINS (director/executive producer) producer) has produced several television has produced several television and feature projects. He and partner Mike and feature projects. He and partner Mike Tollin have guided “Dreamer,” “Coach Tollin have guided “Dreamer,” “Coach Carter,” “Summer Catch,” “Radio,” “Big Fat Carter,” “Summer Catch,” “Radio,” “Big Fat Liar” and the soon-to-be-released “Wild Liar” and the soon-to-be-released “Wild Hogs” to the screen. Hogs” to the screen.

CREW

JOHN DAVIS (producer), JOHN DAVIS (producer), has produced has produced more than 75 motion pictures and movies more than 75 motion pictures and movies for television that have earned more than for television that have earned more than

$4 billion worldwide.$4 billion worldwide.

Photo: Steve Granitz/ Wireimage.com

THANDIE NEWTON THANDIE NEWTON (Kate)(Kate)

Thandie Newton gained Thandie Newton gained international recognition international recognition opposite Nick Nolte in the opposite Nick Nolte in the Merchant-Ivory production of Merchant-Ivory production of Jefferson in Paris Jefferson in Paris as Sally as Sally Hemmings, which led to her Hemmings, which led to her being cast in Jonathan being cast in Jonathan Demme's Demme's BelovedBeloved (1998), in (1998), in which she played the title which she played the title character and costarred with character and costarred with Danny Glover and Oprah Danny Glover and Oprah Winfrey. She played the female Winfrey. She played the female lead Nyah Hall in the film lead Nyah Hall in the film Mission: Impossible II Mission: Impossible II with Tom with Tom Cruise. When this film went Cruise. When this film went over schedule, she had to pull over schedule, she had to pull out of the film Charlie's Angels, out of the film Charlie's Angels, and her character ultimately and her character ultimately went to Lucy Liu.went to Lucy Liu.

CUBA GOODING, JR. CUBA GOODING, JR. (Deion Hughes)(Deion Hughes)

Cuba Gooding, Jr.'s first Cuba Gooding, Jr.'s first major film role was in major film role was in director John Singleton's director John Singleton's 1991 film1991 film, Boyz N The , Boyz N The Hood,Hood, a well-reviewed film a well-reviewed film about inner city youths. about inner city youths.

Following the success of Following the success of Boyz N The Hood, he was Boyz N The Hood, he was cast in a series of roles, cast in a series of roles, both leading and both leading and supporting, including the supporting, including the 1996 film, 1996 film, Jerry MaguireJerry Maguire, for , for which he won a which he won a Best Best Supporting Actor Oscar.Supporting Actor Oscar.

BRIAN ROBBINS BRIAN ROBBINS (director/executive producer)(director/executive producer)

Robbins currently produces Robbins currently produces television successes “Smallville” television successes “Smallville” and “One Tree Hill.” Previously and “One Tree Hill.” Previously produced TRP projects include ” produced TRP projects include ” “Arliss,” “The Amanda Show,” “Arliss,” “The Amanda Show,” “What I Like About You,” “Kenan “What I Like About You,” “Kenan and Kel” and the long-running and Kel” and the long-running Nickelodeon favorite “”All That.” Nickelodeon favorite “”All That.” “The Bronx Is Burning” is “The Bronx Is Burning” is scheduled to debut on ESPN in scheduled to debut on ESPN in July 2007.July 2007.

Robbins and his partner Tollin Robbins and his partner Tollin were honored by Girls, Inc. in were honored by Girls, Inc. in 2003 and launched the L.A. 2003 and launched the L.A. chapter of the Chasing the Dream chapter of the Chasing the Dream Foundation, which awards Foundation, which awards scholarships to underprivileged scholarships to underprivileged youth.youth.

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS

““My name is Norbit Albert Rice, and I was an orphan…” Thus begins My name is Norbit Albert Rice, and I was an orphan…” Thus begins the story of Norbit (Eddie Murphy), who was brought up by Mr. Wong the story of Norbit (Eddie Murphy), who was brought up by Mr. Wong (Eddie Murphy) at the Golden Wonton Restaurant and Orphanage. (Eddie Murphy) at the Golden Wonton Restaurant and Orphanage. There, Norbit met his true soulmate, the lovely Kate (Thandie There, Norbit met his true soulmate, the lovely Kate (Thandie Newton). The two became inseparable – that is, until Kate was Newton). The two became inseparable – that is, until Kate was adopted and left Norbit to begin her new life. One day, the lonely and adopted and left Norbit to begin her new life. One day, the lonely and easily intimidated nine-year-old Norbit is rescued on the school easily intimidated nine-year-old Norbit is rescued on the school playground from the taunts of three bullies by hefty Rasputia (Eddie playground from the taunts of three bullies by hefty Rasputia (Eddie Murphy), age ten, who wields a mean right hook.Murphy), age ten, who wields a mean right hook.

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS

As Norbit and Rasputia grow up, they marry and Norbit becomes As Norbit and Rasputia grow up, they marry and Norbit becomes part of her family. In “Norbit,” the King of Comedy is at it again. part of her family. In “Norbit,” the King of Comedy is at it again. Eddie Murphy is Norbit. Eddie Murphy is Rasputia. Eddie Murphy Eddie Murphy is Norbit. Eddie Murphy is Rasputia. Eddie Murphy is Mr. Wong. Murphy uses his extraordinary talents to bring these is Mr. Wong. Murphy uses his extraordinary talents to bring these diverse and unforgettable characters to life in this boisterous, diverse and unforgettable characters to life in this boisterous, ribald comedy.ribald comedy.

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS

Dysfunctional at best, Rasputia and her three brothers – Big Jack Dysfunctional at best, Rasputia and her three brothers – Big Jack (Terry Crews), Earl (Clifton Powell) and Blue (Lester “Rasta ” Speight) (Terry Crews), Earl (Clifton Powell) and Blue (Lester “Rasta ” Speight) – run the Latimore Construction Company, an outpost from which the – run the Latimore Construction Company, an outpost from which the brothers try to run the town of Boiling Springs, Tennessee. They brothers try to run the town of Boiling Springs, Tennessee. They spend most of their time running the good, hard-working people spend most of their time running the good, hard-working people ragged, badgering, them and extorting money from them.ragged, badgering, them and extorting money from them.

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS

An employee of the construction company, the meek and downtrodden An employee of the construction company, the meek and downtrodden Norbit is treated with disdain by his brutish brothers-in-law and even Norbit is treated with disdain by his brutish brothers-in-law and even more contemptuously by his wife. The ravenous Rasputia often sends more contemptuously by his wife. The ravenous Rasputia often sends him to the local Rib Shak – owned by ex-pimps Pope Sweet Jesus (Eddie him to the local Rib Shak – owned by ex-pimps Pope Sweet Jesus (Eddie Griffin) and Lord Have Mercy (Katt Williams) - to pick up her supersized Griffin) and Lord Have Mercy (Katt Williams) - to pick up her supersized dinner.dinner.

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS

Such is Norbit’s lot, until his world undergoes a dramatic change Such is Norbit’s lot, until his world undergoes a dramatic change when the grown-up and beautiful Kate returns to Boiling Springs. when the grown-up and beautiful Kate returns to Boiling Springs. Kate has come back to buy the orphanage from the retiring Mr. Kate has come back to buy the orphanage from the retiring Mr. Wong. But she is being bamboozled. Her seemingly adoring fiancé, Wong. But she is being bamboozled. Her seemingly adoring fiancé, Deion (Cuba Gooding, Jr. ) turns out to be a phony. He is secretly in Deion (Cuba Gooding, Jr. ) turns out to be a phony. He is secretly in cahoots with the conniving Latimores. They are planning to turn the cahoots with the conniving Latimores. They are planning to turn the orphanage into a strip club – The Nipplopolis.orphanage into a strip club – The Nipplopolis.

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS

But steadfast Norbit sees through their façades with a dawning But steadfast Norbit sees through their façades with a dawning realization that all is not right in Boiling Springs and in the Norbit realization that all is not right in Boiling Springs and in the Norbit household. With the reawakening of his feelings for Kate, Norbit gains household. With the reawakening of his feelings for Kate, Norbit gains a newfound assertiveness, rejecting the role of downtrodden, a newfound assertiveness, rejecting the role of downtrodden, exploited milquetoast in favor of the crusading hero who knows how exploited milquetoast in favor of the crusading hero who knows how to dress sharp, please the ladies and ride a bike. to dress sharp, please the ladies and ride a bike.

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS

Will he finally stand up to the Latimores and save his true love from Will he finally stand up to the Latimores and save his true love from marrying the wrong guy? Will the mild-mannered mouse find his inner marrying the wrong guy? Will the mild-mannered mouse find his inner lion and set things right in Boiling Springs? And will he ever lose the lion and set things right in Boiling Springs? And will he ever lose the yoke of servility imposed by the overwhelming, overpowering and yoke of servility imposed by the overwhelming, overpowering and overeating Rasputia? Therein lies a tale that can only be told by a overeating Rasputia? Therein lies a tale that can only be told by a masterful storyteller.masterful storyteller.

NORBIT Spiritual Connetions

by David Bruce

Director Robbins saysDirector Robbins says, “I saw Rasputia as the evil stepmother and , “I saw Rasputia as the evil stepmother and Norbit was sort of Cinderella getting locked in the basement. And then Norbit was sort of Cinderella getting locked in the basement. And then Kate was the princess coming to rescue to him.”Kate was the princess coming to rescue to him.”

Ultimately, Cinderella must decide to be free, prince or not.Ultimately, Cinderella must decide to be free, prince or not.

What the critics are commenting What the critics are commenting about in this film is the makeup. Not about in this film is the makeup. Not the acting. Not the story. But, the the acting. Not the story. But, the makeup. In fact, this is what people makeup. In fact, this is what people in general are talking about. And in general are talking about. And more, it is what the studio publicity more, it is what the studio publicity dudes are pointing to in this film. dudes are pointing to in this film. Not the acting. Not the story. Again, Not the acting. Not the story. Again, the makeup. the makeup.

In deed, the makeup is world class In deed, the makeup is world class and sets a new benchmark. and sets a new benchmark. However, what about the meaning of However, what about the meaning of the story? the story?

So basically, it is about a So basically, it is about a dominated person, Norbit, dominated person, Norbit, struggling to get beyond his struggling to get beyond his oppressor. A better life awaits oppressor. A better life awaits him, if he can just get there. him, if he can just get there.

The lotus of this story is the The lotus of this story is the search for that freedom and search for that freedom and pressing need of life affirming pressing need of life affirming liberation. Stories like this help liberation. Stories like this help give us the assurance of give us the assurance of captive-set-free possibilities captive-set-free possibilities with a laugh or two along the with a laugh or two along the way.way.

So, go, and be free.So, go, and be free.

Be who you were created to be.Be who you were created to be.

NORBIT Spiritual Connetions

by David Bruce

THE COURAGE TO BE THE COURAGE TO BE FREELY BE YOURSELFFREELY BE YOURSELF

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin (1903 - 1977)Anais Nin (1903 - 1977)

A timid person is frightened before a danger, a coward during the A timid person is frightened before a danger, a coward during the time, and a courageous person afterward. time, and a courageous person afterward. Jean Paul Richter (1763 - 1825)Jean Paul Richter (1763 - 1825)

Every human being on this earth is born with a tragedy, and it isn't Every human being on this earth is born with a tragedy, and it isn't original sin. He's born with the tragedy that he has to grow up. original sin. He's born with the tragedy that he has to grow up. That he has to leave the nest, the security, and go out to do battle. That he has to leave the nest, the security, and go out to do battle. He has to lose everything that is lovely and fight for a new He has to lose everything that is lovely and fight for a new loveliness of his own making, and it's a tragedy. A lot of people loveliness of his own making, and it's a tragedy. A lot of people don't have the courage to do it. don't have the courage to do it. Helen Hayes (1900 – 1993)Helen Hayes (1900 – 1993)

NORBIT Spiritual Connetions

by David Bruce

Self-reliance is the only road to true Self-reliance is the only road to true freedom, and being one's own person freedom, and being one's own person is its ultimate reward. is its ultimate reward. --Patricia Sampson --Patricia Sampson

Without freedom from the past, there Without freedom from the past, there is no freedom at all, because the mind is no freedom at all, because the mind is never new, fresh, innocent. is never new, fresh, innocent. --Krishnamurti --Krishnamurti

For to be free is not merely to cast off For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of respects and enhances the freedom of others. others. --Nelson Mandela--Nelson Mandela

NORBIT Spiritual Connetions

by David BruceBE YOURSELFBE YOURSELF