Eddie Murphy’s Critical Flop Rises to the Top on Prime Video
In an unexpected twist in the world of streaming, the 2007 comedy “Norbit,” often tagged as one of Eddie Murphy’s biggest misses, has surged to remarkable viewership on Amazon’s Prime Video. According to data from FlixPatrol, as of now, this notoriously criticized film sits at number five on the North American chart of the most-watched Prime Video films.
Interestingly, this trend isn’t isolated to “Norbit.” Viewers appear to be on a peculiar wavelength this week, with Adam Sandler’s “The Longest Yard” also making the cut, alongside Christmas-themed films like “Almost Christmas” and “The Holiday,” all while newer original content like Peter Dinklage and Josh Brolin’s “Brothers” and the documentary “Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Own Words” lag behind. Yet, despite its harsh reviews, it seems audiences still hold a fascination with Eddie Murphy’s comedic style, even if his movies don’t always land well with critics.
To grasp the essence of “Norbit,” we need to revisit 2007, a defining period in American humor. It was a time when pop culture leaned towards references from shows like “Superbad” and “The Office.” The cinematic landscape was an uncomfortable blend of broad humor and more niche, indie films like “Little Miss Sunshine” and “Juno.” This was also an era where humor often brushed off sensitivities that are held in higher regard today. In this backdrop, “Norbit” emerged as an oddity.
Murphy, known for his stand-up and “Saturday Night Live” tenure, plays three unique roles in the film, including the nerdy title character, his controlling wife Rasputia, and Mr. Wong, a character presented in yellowface, drawing sharp criticism. This particular brand of comedy—which includes the use of fat suits—contributes to “Norbit” holding a dismal 9% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Critics have ravaged “Norbit” since its release, highlighting not just its reliance on clumsy stereotypes, but also the uncomfortable portrayals that characterize this film. In a review from The Sydney Morning Herald, it was cited as being so poorly executed that it made even the Farrelly brothers’ “Shallow Hal” seem masterfully poignant. The film garnered eight Razzie nominations and is frequently marked as one of Murphy’s lowest points.
Adding to the film’s bizarre legacy is that it followed a significant high in Murphy’s career—his performance in “Dreamgirls,” which earned him critical acclaim. Murphy himself revealed that “Norbit” might have influenced his decision to step away from acting for a time. The backlash and the razzies he received made him reevaluate his career choices.
As for this recent spike in viewership for “Norbit,” it might be attributed to its supporting cast, which features notables such as Terry Crews, Thandiwe Newton, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Kristen Schaal. If you find yourself succumbing to the trending algorithm and decide to watch this infamous film from 2007, you may want to counterbalance it with one of Murphy’s better-rated works afterward, like “Dolemite is My Name,” which is available on Netflix.
