BRIAN ROBBINS

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  0. 

USA, 2007.  DreamWorks, Davis Entertainment, Tollin/Robbins Productions.  Story by Eddie Murphy, Charles Q. Murphy, Screenplay by Eddie Murphy, Charles Q. Murphy, Jay Scherick, David Ronn.  Cinematography by Clark Mathis. Produced by John Davis, Eddie Murphy.  Music by David Newman.  Production Design by Clay A. Griffith.  Costume Design by Molly Maginnis.  Film Editing by Ned Bastille.  

Eddie Murphy has had a few dogs in his highly successful career, but it’s still surprising to think that this piece of garbage could involve him. Teaming up with makeup wizard Rick Baker, Murphy plays three characters: the title role, a soft-spoken dweeb who is raised in an orphanage, an (offensively stereotyped) Asian owner of the orphanage and Norbit’s surrogate father, and the rotund, mouthy woman whom Norbit eventually marries. Trouble is, Norbit is actually in love with beautiful Thandie Newton.  Things go where they’re expected to go, but not even Murphy’s talent with the various characters can make this one anything other than an exercise in torture.

Academy Award Nomination:  Best Makeup