Eddie Murphy returns to his broad comic roots, donning the latex body suits which served him so well in The Nutty Professor, to play three larger-than-life characters in Brian Robbins' crude and mirthless comedy.

Norbit is a big, fat mess - a grotesque, offensive spectacle that seems to think racial stereotyping is fun so long as Murphy is spitting the insults.

When his parents die, Norbit Albert Rice (Murphy) is taken under the wing of the enigmatic Mr Wong (Murphy again) at the Golden Wonton Restaurant and Orphanage, where the young Norbit meets his beautiful and intelligent soulmate, Kate.

Sadly, Kate is adopted and moves away, and Norbit is left to fend off the bullies until overweight Rasputia (Murphy... again) rescues him from a pummelling.

ONE STAR