Criticized film defended by Eddie Murphy
In an unexpected turn of events, actor Eddie Murphy has spoken out in defence of his film Norbit (2007), a comedy that has received less recognition than he believes it deserves. Despite a low Rotten Tomatoes score of around 9% and a string of Razzie Awards, Murphy finds the film genuinely funny and continues to enjoy it.
Co-written with his late brother Charlie Murphy, Norbit was released shortly after Murphy received an Oscar nomination for his role in Dreamgirls. Despite the negative impact some believe it had on his chances of winning the Academy Award, Murphy maintains that the two films are entirely different and should not be compared so directly.
Murphy has expressed frustration at the harsh criticism and Razzie awards the film received, stating, "the s--t ain't that bad" and attributing much of the negativity to people "just hatin’ on me." He finds it surprising that Norbit received Razzie Awards, particularly for worst actress, worst actor, and worst actor of the decade.
Norbit is one of Murphy's lowest-rated films on Rotten Tomatoes, with a score of 9%. It shares this position with two other films starring Murphy: A Thousand Words and The Adventures of Pluto Nash. However, Murphy's love for the film remains unwavering, and he continues to champion its comedic value.
For those who may have overlooked Norbit for its humor, it is worth a second look. With its unique blend of slapstick comedy and heartfelt moments, the film offers a different side of Eddie Murphy that is often overlooked in his more critically acclaimed roles.
[1] Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0461887/trivia [2] Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/eddie-murphy-defends-norbit-1129598 [3] Source: https://www.indiewire.com/2007/02/eddie-murphy-defends-norbit-1200635160/ [4] Source: https://www.vulture.com/2021/03/eddie-murphy-defends-norbit-on-jimmy-kimmel-live.html
Entertaining films like 'Norbit' (2007), co-written with his late brother Charlie Murphy, often get overlooked in discussions of fellow entertainment giants, despite being released in the midst of Murphy's successful run in movies and television. A criticized film by some, Murphy sees it as a source of amusement, despite receiving Razzie Awards for worst actress, worst actor, and worst actor of the decade.
