The film was nominated for Best Achievement in Makeup at the 80th Academy Awards, highlighting its technical excellence despite the polarized critical reception. Financial Performance and Critical Reception
“Details,” she boomed.
This movie is full of laugh-out-loud moments, and Eddie Murphy's multiple roles are pure comedic genius!
Years later, Norbit continues to find new audiences and spark debate, now on streaming services where it has enjoyed a second life. It remains a fascinating snapshot of a specific era in Hollywood comedy: a big-budget, effects-driven farce built around the irresistible, multi-faceted star power of a singular comedic genius. It is a film about being trapped in a nightmare you can't wake up from, and for better or worse, Norbit has earned its place as one of the most talked-about, controversial, and strangely unforgettable comedies of the 21st century.
“It’s beautiful, Razzle,” he’d whisper. “The flaming skull with the… butterfly wings.” Norbit
worldwide. Over time, it has developed a polarized reputation:
The movie's influence can be seen in everything from TV shows like "Saturday Night Live" to films like "The Hangover" and "Bridesmaids." The movie's blend of raunchy humor, physical comedy, and heart has become a hallmark of modern comedies.
But Norbit's psyche was also home to a more vulnerable and sensitive persona: Nora. Nora was the embodiment of Norbit's longing for love, acceptance, and connection. She was a shy, awkward, and endearing young woman, with a quick wit and a sharp tongue. Nora was Norbit's attempt to recreate the relationships he never had as a child – a desire for friendship, romance, and family.
Why? Because audiences in 2007 wanted lowbrow, unpretentious comedy. They wanted to see Eddie Murphy do what he does best: disappear into a role. The disconnect between the critics (9%) and the audience (53% on RT) is massive. It wasn't a huge hit, but it was profitable enough that the studio didn’t regret it. That is, until... The film was nominated for Best Achievement in
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Twenty years later, nothing had changed. Norbit (now a sturdy, cloud-shaped man with kind eyes and a perpetual wince) ran the Wok & Roll after Mr. Wong passed away. Razzle, now a 300-pound force of nature in neon spandex and stiletto heels, ran Norbit. She lived with him, ate his egg rolls for free, and had turned his clapboard house into a shrine to herself: mirrored ceilings, a velvet throne where she watched soap operas, and a life-sized painting of her wrestling an alligator (which she had never actually done).
Kate stepped forward from behind the counter. “He doesn’t want to marry you.”
The most technically impressive aspect of Norbit , and the one element that received virtually universal praise, was its groundbreaking prosthetic makeup and visual effects work. To transform Eddie Murphy into the 400-pound Rasputia, director Brian Robbins enlisted legendary special effects artists Rick Baker and Kazuhiro Tsuji. The process was herculean: The team auditioned over 100 plus-size women to use as a body double model. Based on the chosen model’s measurements, they constructed a massive “fat suit” from foam latex and painted silicone to mimic the look and jiggle of real skin. Silicone pieces were then glued to Murphy’s face to give him Rasputia’s hefty, enlarged features. Years later, Norbit continues to find new audiences
The legend of 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.
While "Norbit" may not have achieved critical acclaim, it holds a special place in the hearts of many viewers who appreciate Eddie Murphy's comedic prowess. The film serves as a reminder of the power of comedy to explore complex themes and to challenge societal norms. The movie's focus on body image, bullying, and the importance of staying true to oneself resonated with audiences.
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".
However, despite the critical thrashing, audiences showed up in droves. Norbit debuted at number one at the box office, raking in over $34 million in its opening weekend, well above industry projections. It went on to earn $95.6 million domestically and over $63 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $159 million, making it a major financial hit. This box office prowess sent a clear message: audiences were in the mood for broad, unapologetically lowbrow comedy, critical opinions be damned.
In the worlds of engineering and international finance, the name belongs to , a premier Norwegian technology group listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker NORBT . The company focuses on manufacturing tailored technology for highly specialized, market-driven applications. Business Segments