Unpleasant, offensive, and entirely unfunny ‘comedy´ starring an unrecognizable and unlikable Eddie Murphy in three roles as the pathetic title character, his morbidly obese wife Rasputia, and Chinese caricature Mr. Wong.
Plot: orphan Norbit is forced into marriage by overbearing Rasputia; when his childhood love (Thandie Newton – what was she thinking?) comes back into town to brighten up Norbit´s life and buy the local orphanage, her conman fiancé (Cuba Gooding) and Rasputia´s gangster brothers scheme to turn it into a strip club.
It´s up to Norbit to save the day, but by the time all these annoying characters are introduced we want nothing to do with the film.
Full of degrading African-American stereotypes that would put Stepin Fetchit to shame; these and other racist gags are only outdone by the endless barrage of fat jokes that seem to sustain the entire film.
Completely dull when it isn´t offensive; only briefly comes alive during scenes with Eddie Griffin and Katt Williams as a pair of smooth-talking pimps.
Murphy has made a lot of junk in recent years, but this is arguably the worst; yes, even Pluto Nash was better. An embarrassment for everyone involved.
