Eddie Murphy has received a lot of flack the past few years for his choice of movie roles. In fact, even on this site, Miss Della Casa made a comment about the movie Dreamgirls that “Eddie Murphy seemed better than he was because he has sucked for 10 years.”
Well, I have just one thing to say to all of these nay-sayers: you’re all absolutely right!
What in god’s name has been going on with that man? Eddie Murphy is one of my all-time favorite actors. I mean, Beverly Hills Cop, Boomerang, Coming To America…Eddie Murphy is hands-down one of the funniest men who ever lived. And then suddenly, out of nowhere, it’s Dr. Dolittle and The Nutty Professor and Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps!!!!! What’s the deal, Eddie? Is the joke on us this time?
Now, I understand that having kids changes a man. In the latest Esquire, Dick Van Dyke says that after he started having kids, he didn’t want to do any movies that they couldn’t watch. And I understand that sort of reasoning. Really.
The only problem is that Eddie Murphy is not Dick Van Dyke. Not even close. Kid-friendly humor is just not in-line with his sensibilities. Eddie Murphy is the guy who stood up on stage covered head-to-toe in red leather and told some of the dirtiest jokes the world had ever heard before. He’s the guy who used to make fun of kid-friendly stars like Mr. Rogers and Buckwheat, and now suddenly he’s turned into the same type of actor that he used to parody so brilliantly. I just don’t get it.
I hope you’ll excuse my nerve, but I feel that I must now use this venue as a platform to start a movement. I am appealing right now to everyone reading this to please please please skip this movie. SKIP IT! Norbit may turn out to be mildly funny, and the kids will surely love it, but none of that matters. What matters is that this man is depriving us all of his god-given talents. That is why we owe it to humanity to take a stand right here and now, to send a message to Eddie that we will no longer watch anymore of his movies that end with any sort of positive moral or that require him to wear a fat-suit. The only way Eddie Murphy is ever going to stop making movies like Norbit and go back to doing the R rated comedies that he does so well is if this movie totally bombs. And I mean a complete and total flop. And for that to happen, none of us can even think of seeing this movie.
Norbit is rated PG-13 and opens February 9 (i.e. don’t go see Norbit on February 9). (Official Site)
You’re absolutely right–movies like Norbit and The Nutty Professor are why Eddie Murphy’s career has been in the toilet. I read somewhere (don’t remember where) that the Norbit commercials could ruin his chance at an Oscar.
And Thandie Newton? Really? I mean, I know she’s trying to act in lighter roles, but come on. I expected better from her.
Eddie’s either a) trying to cash in on Tyler Perry’s success as “Madea,” or b) really misses his transvestite companion (remember that?) Not very impressed by how many actors need drag and a fat suit to be “funny.”
Another fat suit? Dumb.
That’s all. Just dumb.