Norbit Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A perpetually bullied man married to a monstrous woman finds his childhood crush again, and then all hell breaks loose involving strip clubs, a racist Asian guy, and a LOT of fat jokes.

🍿 Norbit: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Orphaned and Protected

Norbit is abandoned as a baby and raised in an orphanage by Mr. Wong, who runs it as a combination orphanage and Chinese restaurant. There, he meets Kate, and they become childhood friends. Kate is eventually adopted, leaving Norbit alone again. A young, overweight girl named Rasputia protects him from bullies, setting the stage for their unusual relationship.

Forced Marriage

As they grow up, Rasputia becomes increasingly controlling. Despite Norbit’s timid nature, he is pressured into marrying her. Their marriage is a constant source of misery for Norbit, as Rasputia is demanding, unfaithful, and physically imposing. He is also intimidated by her three imposing brothers.

The Return of Kate

Norbit’s life takes an unexpected turn when Kate returns to town, intending to buy the orphanage from Mr. Wong. Norbit’s childhood feelings for Kate resurface, but he discovers she’s engaged to Deion. This sets up a classic love triangle, with Norbit yearning for a way out of his unhappy marriage and a chance at happiness with Kate.

Deion’s Deception

As Norbit tries to reconnect with Kate, he uncovers a secret about her fiancé, Deion. Deion is not who he seems to be, and he has ulterior motives related to the orphanage. The Latimore brothers also have sinister plans to exploit the orphanage, leading to a confrontation that puts Norbit in a dangerous position.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Norbit (Eddie Murphy): A mild-mannered and unlucky man who is trapped in a loveless marriage and longs for his childhood sweetheart.
• Rasputia Latimore (Eddie Murphy): Norbit’s overbearing and monstrous wife who dominates his life.
• Kate Thomas (Thandiwe Newton): Norbit’s childhood friend and true love who returns to town, stirring up his feelings and complicating his life.
• Deion Hughes (Cuba Gooding Jr.): Kate’s fiancé, who is revealed to have ulterior motives related to the orphanage and is involved with the Latimores.
• Mr. Wong (Eddie Murphy): The owner of the orphanage where Norbit grew up and serves as a father figure to him.
• Pope Sweet Jesus (Eddie Griffin): An ex-pimp friend of Norbit who provides advice and helps Norbit get closer to Kate.
• Big Jack Latimore (Terry Crews): Rasputia’s menacing brother, who intimidates Norbit and protects his sister.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Rasputia: “How you doin’?” – Rasputia’s signature greeting, often delivered in a domineering and suggestive manner, became a popular catchphrase associated with the film.
• Mr. Wong: “Remember, black people run very fast. But problem run faster.” – Mr. Wong’s unintentionally racist advice to Norbit is a memorable, albeit controversial, line from the film.
• Mr. Wong: “Yes, Wong very racist. Don’t like black. Don’t like Jew either. But black and Jew love Chinese food. Go figure.” – This is just a joke about the general dislike towards some races.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $60,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $95,673,607
• Worldwide Gross: $159,814,490

💥 Norbit Reviews

Personal Review

Oh, Norbit. Where do I even begin? I went in expecting a low-brow comedy, and I got… something else entirely. The whole thing felt like a fever dream, with Eddie Murphy playing half the cast. The fat suit makeup was surprisingly good, but I couldn’t help cringing at some of the jokes. I chuckled a few times, mostly at Katt Williams and Eddie Griffin, but overall, it’s not one I’ll be rushing to re-watch. The love story felt forced, and I mostly felt bad for Norbit being terrorized the whole time. Honestly, the best part was probably trying to figure out what everyone was thinking when they signed up for this.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Eddie Murphy’s multiple-character performances”
  • “Viewers who enjoy slapstick and over-the-top humor”
  • “People who don’t mind politically incorrect jokes”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor and sexual innuendo”
  • “Fat-shaming and potentially offensive stereotypes”
  • “Violence and some suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “A new standard for the distasteful. A nonstop, unrelieved, offensive, unfunny gross-out of unprecedented juvenile vulgarity. There is nothing worthwhile in Norbit, not even watching the beautiful Newton behaving like a fig here. Beyond skinny Murphy being married to elephantine Murphy, that’s what the story is.
• IMDb: “The film is packed full of racist, fat jokes, and outright awful humor. The cast cannot hide this movie’s complete failure to hit any sort of funny note. If you were watching this movie on TV its highly likely that you’d turn over before the end.
• IMDb: “Walking into the movie one must admit they aren’t expecting the same comedic genius as a Mel Brook’s film, but perhaps that was the main draw of “Norbit” in the first place. I walked away seeing a lackluster prequel to Dr. Dolittle and The Nutty Professor combined.

Audience Reactions

Some found Eddie Murphy’s performance in multiple roles funny and entertaining.: Some people find the movie funny, especially if you like crude humor.

Movie is not funny if you have brain cells.: Some people are offended by the obesity jokes and racial humor.

Overall Consensus: Norbit is a divisive comedy with some finding it funny while others are offended by its crude humor and stereotypes.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Eddie Murphy spent 2-3 hours in makeup to transform into Rasputia, and the fat suit he wore weighed 75 pounds (34 kilograms).”
• “The makeup process to become Mr. Wong also took a considerable amount of time, around 2 to 2.5 hours, including the application of gloves and dentures.”
• “Marlon Wayans’ character, Buster the tap dance instructor, was originally intended to have a larger role, but some scenes were cut for pacing.”

🖥️ How to Watch Norbit?

Norbit is available to rent or buy on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. While not currently streaming on subscription services, keep an eye on platforms like Paramount+ or Hulu, as content availability can change. You can also purchase the DVD or Blu-ray for a physical copy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Norbit, you might like these similar films:

• The Nutty Professor (1996): Eddie Murphy plays multiple characters in heavy makeup, relying on physical comedy and stereotypes for humor.
• Big Momma’s House (2000): Martin Lawrence disguises himself as a large woman, similar to Murphy’s portrayal of Rasputia, using the disguise for comedic effect and to solve a crime.
• Shallow Hal (2001): It explores themes of physical appearance and attraction, although with a different premise and tone than Norbit.
• Coming to America (1988): Eddie Murphy plays multiple roles and uses disguise to blend in

🛒 Norbit Related Products

• Eddie Murphy: Raw: Relive the glory days of Eddie Murphy’s stand-up with ‘Raw’, a hilarious and uncensored performance showcasing his comedic genius. It’s a must-have for any fan looking for a dose of classic Eddie.
• The Nutty Professor (Special Edition): Own the special edition of ‘The Nutty Professor’, another classic where Eddie Murphy plays multiple roles. This edition features behind-the-scenes content, offering insight into his transformative performances.
• Dreamgirls (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Experience the power of ‘Dreamgirls’ with its unforgettable soundtrack. Featuring Eddie Murphy in a supporting role, this album captures the soul and energy of the hit musical film.
• Funko Pop! Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem (Coming to America): Add a touch of Zamunda to your collection with this Funko Pop! featuring Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem. A perfect display piece for fans of his classic comedies.

🎧 Soundtrack

Norbit features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Standing in the Safety Zone” – performed by The Fairfield Four

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Norbit-MANY FACES

Ever wondered how Eddie Murphy pulled off playing so many characters in Norbit? This video dives into the incredible makeup and special effects that made it happen. I was blown away by the transformation process!

NORBIT was Hella Depressing

Think ‘Norbit’ is just a silly comedy? This video argues it’s actually a pretty depressing story about an orphan trapped in a bad marriage. It might change how you see the movie, and honestly, they make some good points!

✨ Rate