Released in 2007 and directed by Brian Robbins, Norbit is a slapstick comedy featuring Eddie Murphy in three distinct roles: the mild-mannered Norbit Rice, his domineering wife Rasputia Latimore, and the orphanage owner Mr. Wong. Despite being a significant commercial success, earning over $159 million worldwide, the film is a frequent subject of academic study regarding its use of stereotypes and its impact on the career of its lead actor. II. The "Oscar Effect" and Critical Reception
The film's legacy is often tied to the theory that its release negatively impacted Eddie Murphy’s chances of winning the Academy Award for Dreamgirls. While Murphy has dismissed these claims, critical reception was overwhelmingly negative, with many reviewers attacking the film's "predictable crude, sexist, and racist humour". III. Cultural Critique and Stereotypes
Scholarly analyses, such as those published in Issue 1 Highlights from the Americas, argue that Norbit reproduces discriminatory discourses.
The Sapphire Stereotype: The character of Rasputia is often compared to the "Sapphire" trope—an aggressive, loud, and emasculating Black woman—which critics argue perpetuates white supremacist ideologies and mocks marginalised bodies.
Hegemonic Subversion: Conversely, some analyses suggest the film presents a counter-hegemonic representation of a strong Black woman who dominates her environment, even if that dominance is portrayed through abuse and toxicity. IV. Technical Achievement
Despite the controversy, the film was a technical landmark in makeup and special effects. The production used complex prosthetic bodysuits and digital face-replacement technology to allow Murphy to interact with himself on screen. Alternative Context: NORBIT (Technology Company)
In the scientific and industrial sectors, NORBIT refers to a Norwegian technology group specializing in multibeam sonar systems.
Applications: Their technology is used for ultra-high-resolution mapping of coastal and offshore depths, real-time dredging monitoring, and environmental subsea monitoring.
Research Papers: Technical papers featuring NORBIT equipment often focus on hydrographic surveying and the efficiency of shallow-water sonar systems.
"Norbit's a hilarious comedy about a man who was severely bullied as a kid. As an adult, he's still dealing with the aftermath. The twist? He's actually three people - himself, his childhood bully, and a seductive woman. When his childhood bully comes back into the picture, Norbit's life gets turned upside down."
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Throwback to 2007!
Who else remembers the hilarious movie #Norbit starring Eddie Murphy?
In this comedy classic, Eddie Murphy plays Norbit, a nerdy and awkward man who was raised by his grandparents (played by Richard Dreyfuss and Cloris Leachman) after being abandoned by his parents.
As an adult, Norbit falls in love with a beautiful woman named Rasputia (also played by Eddie Murphy), who turns out to be super mean and controlling.
But things get even crazier when Norbit's childhood sweetheart, Astrid (played by Thandie Newton), comes back into his life and helps him to see Rasputia for who she really is.
This movie is full of laugh-out-loud moments, and Eddie Murphy's multiple roles are pure comedic genius!
So, who's ready for a nostalgic movie night with #Norbit?
Let me know in the comments if you have a favorite scene or quote from the movie!
Released on February 9, 2007, Norbit is a high-energy romantic comedy that remains one of the most polarizing entries in Eddie Murphy’s filmography. Directed by Brian Robbins, the film is a showcase of physical comedy and heavy prosthetics, continuing Murphy's tradition of playing multiple distinct roles in a single feature. Plot and Characters Norbit
The story follows Norbit Albert Rice (Murphy), a shy, mild-mannered orphan raised in a Chinese restaurant-orphanage by the gruff but kind-hearted Mr. Wong (also played by Murphy). As a child, Norbit is separated from his soulmate, Kate Thomas (played by Thandiwe Newton). He is eventually "rescued" on the playground by Rasputia Latimore (Murphy’s third role), a domineering and abusive girl who grows up to be his tyrannical, morbidly obese wife.
The conflict arises when Kate returns to town with plans to buy the old orphanage. Norbit sees a chance for true love but must first summon the courage to stand up to Rasputia and her three intimidating brothers—Big Black Jack (Terry Crews), Blue (Lester Speight), and Earl (Clifton Powell)—who plan to turn the orphanage into a strip club. Technical Achievement: The Makeup of Norbit
A defining element of the film is the intensive use of practical effects. Legendary makeup artist Rick Baker and his team at Cinovation designed the prosthetics and silicone bodysuits that transformed Murphy into his various characters.
Let’s be honest. Norbit is not a good movie in the traditional sense. It is structurally messy. The third act (the water park rescue) is absurd. Cuba Gooding Jr. seems confused. Thandie Newton deserves hazard pay for acting against a man in rubber makeup.
But Norbit is an essential movie. It is the dark, chaotic flipside to the polished sentimentality of The Princess and the Frog. It represents a moment in comedy where "too far" was just the starting line.
To watch Norbit today is to watch a time capsule of 2000s humor—offensive, loud, and unapologetically stupid. But it is also weirdly sincere. You root for Norbit. You hate Rasputia. You laugh when Mr. Wong says, "I am thinking you are thinking with the wrong head."
Decades from now, people will not remember the reviews. They will remember the quotes. They will remember the memes. And they will ask, "Why did they take the Oscar from the man who created Rasputia?"
Love it or hate it, Norbit lives forever, stuck like a dumpling in the throat of pop culture, refusing to be swallowed or spit out. And honestly? That is a kind of immortality.
While the final version of the 2007 film Norbit is known for its slapstick humor and exaggerated characters, the original draft content was significantly more intense. Darker Tone and Draft Details
Early versions of the script were notably darker than the final comedy.
Severe Abuse: Actress Thandie Newton revealed that in the first draft she read, Rasputia’s treatment of Norbit was much more abusive and less "comedic" than what appeared on screen.
Script Origin: Eddie Murphy conceived the story after seeing internet videos of domestic disputes, which he initially found humorous but eventually evolved into the film's premise.
Draft Scenes: Some early draft outlines included a heavy focus on Norbit's early life at the orphanage, with specific scenes detailing "child labor concerns" played with a dark humorous twist. 🎭 Character & Production Drafts
Rasputia’s Design: The physical "draft" of the character involved a 34 kg (approx. 75 lb) fat suit. While the character claims to weigh 165 lbs in the film, the production designed her to appear closer to 350 lbs.
Face Replacement: In draft/test footage and complex scenes, Murphy used a stand-in whose face was later digitally replaced with his own using early CGI face-mapping.
Makeup Drafts: It took roughly 3 hours to apply the makeup for Rasputia and 2.5 hours for the character Mr. Wong for every day of filming. 🏛️ Norbit Technical "Draft" (Company)
If you were referring to the NORBIT technology company rather than the movie, "draft" usually refers to the water depth required for their sonar equipment:
Vessel Draft: The NORBIT WINGHEAD sonar system is often used on vessels with a 2.0-meter draft.
Installation Draft: Technical manuals recommend the sonar be immersed at least 0.7m below the waterline to avoid bubbles and turbulence. Trivia - Norbit (2007) - IMDb Released in 2007 and directed by Brian Robbins,
Released in 2007, remains one of the most polarizing entries in Eddie Murphy's filmography. While critics largely panned it as a "cesspool of tasteless crassness," it was a commercial success that grossed nearly $160 million and earned an Academy Award nomination for its makeup. 🎭 The Triple Performance
Eddie Murphy utilizes his signature multi-character approach, playing three distinct roles:
Norbit Albert Rice: A mild-mannered, "ingenue" orphan who is highly intelligent but socially timid.
Rasputia Latimore: Norbit’s overbearing, physically abusive, and gluttonous wife.
Mr. Wong: Norbit’s cynical, racist Chinese-American adoptive father. ⚖️ Critical vs. Audience Reception
The film is a textbook example of a "critic-proof" movie, where professional reviews and public enjoyment diverged sharply. The Case Against (Critics) Norbit - Movies - Review - The New York Times
To "put together a paper" on , you could be referring to a critical analysis of the 2007 Eddie Murphy film or a technical report on the hydrographic technology company.
Below are outlines for both perspectives to help you structure your work. Option 1: Film Analysis (The 2007 Movie)
This paper would focus on the cultural impact, comedic style, and controversies surrounding the film directed by Brian Robbins. Introduction : Briefly introduce
(2007) as a comedy where Eddie Murphy plays multiple roles, including the protagonist Norbit Rice and the antagonist Rasputia Latimore. Plot Overview
: Summarize the story of a shy orphan bullied into marriage by the domineering Rasputia, only to find a second chance at love with his childhood crush, Kate. Thematic Analysis The "Everyman" Struggle
: Norbit’s journey from a submissive husband to finding his own voice. Comedy vs. Controversy
: Discuss critics' views on the film's reliance on "crude, sexist, and racist humor" and its portrayal of body image. Technical Achievements
: Highlight the makeup and prosthetic work required to transform Murphy into his various characters. Conclusion
: Reflect on the film's legacy—it was a commercial success despite poor critical reception. Option 2: Technical/Business Paper (NORBIT ASA)
This paper would focus on the global technology company that specializes in high-end sonar and subsea systems.
Released in 2007, is a slapstick comedy film starring Eddie Murphy, who famously portrays three distinct lead characters through extensive prosthetic makeup. The film centers on Norbit Albert Rice, a mild-mannered man who must find the courage to stand up to his overbearing wife and her criminal family to win back his childhood sweetheart. 🎭 The Multi-Faceted Performance
Eddie Murphy’s performance is the cornerstone of the film, as he utilizes elaborate fat suits and prosthetics to play:
Norbit Rice: The shy, nerdy, and good-hearted protagonist raised in an orphanage. Key points
Rasputia Latimore: Norbit’s aggressive, morbidly obese, and abusive wife who "saved" him from bullies as a child.
Mr. Hangten Wong: The elderly, eccentric Chinese restaurant owner and orphanage director who raised Norbit. Norbit (2007) - Plot - IMDb
(2007) is a romantic comedy directed by Brian Robbins and starring Eddie Murphy, who also co-wrote and co-produced the film [8, 15]. The movie is well-known for Murphy’s "chameleon" performance, as he portrays three distinct lead characters through extensive use of prosthetics and fat suits [21, 18]. Plot Summary
The story follows Norbit Albert Rice, a mild-mannered orphan abandoned as an infant at a Chinese restaurant and orphanage run by the eccentric Mr. Wong (also played by Murphy) [4, 14].
The Marriage: As a child, Norbit is "rescued" from bullies by Rasputia Latimore (also played by Murphy), a domineering and abusive girl who forces him into a relationship [5, 6]. They eventually marry, and Norbit lives a miserable, "henpecked" life under the thumb of Rasputia and her three intimidating brothers [8, 10].
The Conflict: Norbit’s life changes when his childhood sweetheart, Kate Thomas (Thandiwe Newton), returns to town to buy the orphanage [8, 20]. Norbit realizes he is still in love with her but must find the courage to stand up to the Latimore family, who plan to turn the orphanage into a strip club [8, 24].
The Conclusion: After uncovering the fraudulent schemes of Kate's fiancé, Deion Hughes, and surviving various comedic attacks from the Latimores, Norbit finally "grows a spine" [12, 16]. The townspeople rebel against the Latimores, and Norbit marries Kate at the same tree where they played as children [12, 16]. Key Characters
Norbit Albert Rice (Eddie Murphy): The protagonist, described as highly intelligent but timid, naive, and often treated as a "butt-monkey" by those around him [7, 16].
Rasputia Latimore (Eddie Murphy): Norbit’s abusive, larger-than-life wife. She is depicted as arrogant and vindictive, frequently using her size and brothers to control Norbit [6, 26].
Mr. Wong (Eddie Murphy): The owner of the Golden Wonton orphanage who raised Norbit. Despite his own eccentricities and "politically incorrect" humor, he eventually helps Norbit defeat the Latimores [14, 18, 24].
Kate Thomas (Thandiwe Newton): Norbit's kind-hearted childhood friend and the object of his affection [21, 28]. Production & Reception
Special Effects: The film utilized advanced prosthetics to allow Murphy to play multiple roles simultaneously [18]. A stand-in actress, Lauren Miller, was used for Rasputia's body, and Murphy's face was later digitally added in post-production [34].
Critical vs. Commercial Success: Critically, the movie was panned and "earned" several Golden Raspberry Awards (Razzies) [15, 29]. However, it was a massive commercial success and even received an Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling [15].
Controversy: The film sparked significant debate regarding its use of racial stereotypes and depictions of overweight women [17, 30]. Some critics and audiences found Rasputia and Mr. Wong to be offensive caricatures, while others viewed them as harmless slapstick exaggerations [17, 30].
It sounds like you might be asking for a helpful academic paper or analytical resource on the 2007 film Norbit, directed by Brian Robbins and starring Eddie Murphy.
While Norbit is not typically discussed in traditional film criticism journals, there are several useful angles you could take for a paper. Below is a structured guide to writing a thoughtful, insightful paper on Norbit—including potential thesis statements, themes, and scholarly connections.
Norbit is a 2007 comedy film directed by Brian Robbins and starring Eddie Murphy in multiple roles. The story follows Norbit Albert Rice, a timid, orphaned man married to the overbearing and manipulative Rasputia Latimore. After reconnecting with his childhood sweetheart, Kate, Norbit confronts the emotional and comedic chaos of his marriage while seeking the courage to reclaim his life.
The legend of Norbit took its most dramatic turn in February 2008. Eddie Murphy was considered the frontrunner to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his devastatingly dramatic turn in Dreamgirls. He had won the Golden Globe, the SAG Award, and the Critics' Choice Award.
Then, the Academy voters watched Norbit.
Norbit was released during the voting period. The narrative is undisputed: the visual of Eddie Murphy in a fat suit, playing the crass, vomit-inducing Rasputia, was so fresh in the minds of older, conservative Academy members that they could not take his serious performance seriously. Murphy lost the Oscar to Alan Arkin (Little Miss Sunshine). In Hollywood history, no single movie has ever torpedoed an actor’s Oscar chances quite like Norbit torpedoed Eddie Murphy’s.