Norbit

Stars: Eddie Murphy, Thandie Newton, Eddie Griffin, Cuba Gooding Jr

Director: Brian Robbins

Shy foundling Norbit (Murphy), raised by Mr Wong (Murphy) at his orphanage, is protected from bullies by hefty Rasputia, who swells to 20 stone (and becomes Murphy yet again) by the time of their wedding.

Yes folks, it's another of Eddie's one-man shows with the accent on vulgarity, but there's a frantic pace and the odd chuckle towards the end.

Once married, Rasputia rules Norbit with large iron thumb, not to mention crushing him in bed and having three equally beefy brothers to quell any sign of rebellion.

Imagine Norbit's relief when he re-encounters his childhood sweetheart Kate (Newton), only for his hopes to be dashed when he finds she's engaged to handsome Deion (what is a leading man like Gooding doing in this role?). Deion, though, proves to be a snake-in-the-grass, in cahoots with Rasputia's brothers to buy the orphanage and turn it into a strip joint.

Despite an excruciating first half, this does eventually have its moments, as Norbit battles to bring Rasputia and her brothers to book. A bit too gross-out for most tastes, it should keep younger late-night cinemagoers entertained well enough.

Alan Frank

USA 2007. UK Distributor: Paramount (DreamWorks). Colour by De Luxe.
102 minutes. Not widescreen. UK certificate: 12A.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 1, Violence/Horror 0, Drugs 0, Swearing 1.

Review date: 03 Mar 2007