Norbit

Movie review by Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
Norbit Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Another fat suit for Murphy, another bad movie.

PG-13 2007 102 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 13+

Based on 32 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 67 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that kids who liked Murphy's Nutty Professor movies may very well want to see this one, too, despite the fact that it's rife with raunchy humor and stereotypes. Most of this centers on the large body of Murphy's female character, Rasputia, and includes wide-angle shots of her flesh (looking menacing and grotesque) and jokes about her appetites for sex and food. Rasputia is also cruel, which means that many jokes feature her physically abusing Norbit. Sexual allusions are swift, crude, and frequent. Violence is cartoonish and loud (bodies fall, fly through the air, and hit each other). Language is relatively mild but incessant -- primarily "damn," "hell," "ass," and "bitch."

Community Reviews

Dpro9772
Dpro9772 Adult
June 7, 2021
age 10+
Daddio74
Daddio74 Adult
June 22, 2019
age 15+

Garbage.

It’s not even good garbage. Because that does exist. The stuff Mel Brooks used to do? In 1974, you could make a movie like Blazing Saddles and use Stereotypes to show how hurtful they are with comedic effect. Murphy did some of that in Coming To America. But this is not either one of those films. It’s a shame, because Eddie Murphy will draw some people to this stinker with pure name recognition thanks to his performances in the Shrek movies or Doctor Doolittle, but a family film this is not. There are no explicit sex scenes that I recall, nor drug use, but there is Wiley Coyote style violence and sex is talked about frequently. Language includes “bitch,” “ass,” “bitch-ass,” and variations of the same. Can your 13-year old watch it? Sure. Should they? No, and not even because of the awful stereotypes, lack of positive messages or roll models, the language, or the raunchy humor. Honestly, it just isn’t very good or funny.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 32 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Nerdy, well-meaning Norbit (played by Eddie Murphy as an adult) grows up at an orphanage run by Mr. Wong. At age 5, Norbit's best buddy is Kate, but when she's adopted, they lose track of each another. He's soon approached by a large girl named Rasputia, who beats up the kids who pick on him and expects utter subservience and loyalty in return. Norbit agrees to her terms, going so far as to marry her when he comes of age. Their marriage is rendered in a few horrific montages and short scenes, focused mainly on how Rasputia overwhelms Norbit in bed. Her dominance is bolstered by her big brothers -- Big Jack (Terry Crews), Earl (Clifton Powell), and Blue (Mighty Rasta) -- all of whom are aggressive and menacing, not to mention greedy. When Norbit discovers that Rasputia is cheating on him with her aerobics instructor (Marlon Wayans), he finds solace with Kate (Thandiwe Newton), who's returned to town to take over the orphanage.

Is It Any Good?

The plot of director Brian Robbins's comedy matters little, except that it serves as an excuse for racist, misogynist, and other stereotypes. Of course, there's Rasputia. Mr. Wong (also played by Murphy) is another egregious stereotype, "Chinese" pronunciation jokes abound. Eddie Griffin and Katt Williams portray pimps, still more stereotypes to laugh at.

Norbit finally realizes he's in love with Kate and gets up enough nerve to leave his wife, despite her physical abuse. This passes for resolution and is underlined when Rasputia suffers some awful mistreatment, primarily at the hands of Mr. Wong, who inexplicably practices whale-harpooning and so gets to yell out, "Whale, ho!" as he assaults her. Bottom line? This is a pointless exercise in gross-out humor that will probably offend just about everyone.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the appeal of gross-out humor. Where do you draw the line between silly and offensive? Is it funny to see actors dress in drag and/or bury themselves in fat suits? Why? Rasputia is a strong, powerful woman -- but she's also cruel, self-indulgent, and constantly the butt of jokes for her voracious appetites. As a consequence, what messages does the movie send about body image and gender roles? Why do you think Eddie Murphy is drawn to make movies like this?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • Mrs. Doubtfire Poster Image

    Mrs. Doubtfire

    You'll laugh, you'll cry. Best divorce movie.

    age 12+
  • Big Momma's House Poster Image

    Big Momma's House

    Martin Lawrence comedy with sex, violence, and nudity.

    age 14+
  • Bowfinger Poster Image

    Bowfinger

    Entertaining, great actors but not a home run.

    age 14+

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate