Eddie Murphy’s new comedy “Norbit” looked like it would be a crass, unfunny comedy, much like “The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.” It was not as bad as that movie and that is high praise. “Norbit” actually shows off some of Murphy’s comedic skills and the movie has genuine laughs. It isn’t just 90 minutes of fat jokes wrapped in bad language and potty humor, although the language and the themes get a little salty at times. One five letter curse word gets tossed around like it’s the word “the” and it gets a little tiresome.

Norbit is an orphan who grew up at a chinese restaurant/orphanage outside an idyllic small town. He is a nerd who climbed into his shell when his childhood sweetheart/best friend was adopted and he didn’t come out until an overweight bully, Rasputia, pulled him out. Rasputia eventually drags Norbit to the altar and her three burly, bullying brothers keep him there. He seems stuck in the marriage and his sad life until his friend returns, hoping to take over the orphanage.

Murphy plays Norbit, Rasputia and orphanage owner Mr. Wong and he is good at all three roles. Norbit is a nebbish with a heart of gold and some good lines that are muttered out of Rasputia’s ear shot. Rasputia is a belligerent know it all and it is hard to imagine Murphy below all that make-up. Wong is the character that generates the most laughs in his limited screen time and Murphy’s performance recalls his similar work in “Coming to America.” “Norbit” also gets a boost from a very talented supporting cast. Thandie Newton draws the audience in with her role as Norbit’s crush, Kate, and Cuba Gooding, Jr. plays her scheming fiancé with a touch of menace. Eddie Griffin, Katt Williams, Marlon Wayans and Terry Crews also provide some comedic highlights.

I also enjoyed the setting of the film. From the very beginning, “Norbit” feels like a modern day fairy tale and the town gives off a Bedford Falls type feeling. The colors are bright, the people all know each other and Rasputia and her three brothers are a lot like storybook villains. Rasputia’s “How you doin’?” might as well be her “Fee, fi, fo, fum.”

As much as I enjoyed the film, there are problems. “Norbit” is not a long movie, but it feels like it drags in the third act. Newton is a very beautiful and gifted actress, but her character lacks the depth of her previous roles and it kind of shows here. The film is also very front-loaded, by that I mean very funny at the beginning and not funny at all near the end.

Still, I was expecting a terrible film and I was pleasantly surprised.

**1/2

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