Norbit (2007)
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9% of critics liked it
(122 reviews) -
56% of users liked it
(632,954 ratings)
A meek and lovable milquetoast married to an overbearing, overweight tyrant finds his life turned upside down when he meets the woman of his dreams in this romantic comedy starring Eddie Murphy, Thandie Newton, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Eddie Griffin. His entire life, Norbit (Murphy) has been picked on… More A meek and lovable milquetoast married to an overbearing, overweight tyrant finds his life turned upside down when he meets the woman of his dreams in this romantic comedy starring Eddie Murphy, Thandie Newton, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Eddie Griffin. His entire life, Norbit (Murphy) has been picked on and put down, and after being bullied into marrying the most obnoxious woman in town (also Murphy) it appears as if that's the way things will remain until the day he dies. Upon meeting the one woman who seems to accept him for who he is, Norbit is instilled with a newfound sense of hope for the future. In order to find true happiness, however, Norbit will first have to gather the courage to stand up to his monstrous spouse once and for all. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- PG-13, 1 hr. 42 min.
- Directed By
- Brian Robbins
- Written By
- Jay Scherick, David Ronn
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Feb 9, 2007 Wide
- On DVD
- Jun 5, 2007
- Studio
- Dreamworks Distribution LLC
Critic Reviews
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Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
It's offensively bad.
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James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Norbit takes the idea behind The Nutty Professor 2 -- that Eddie Murphy can play just about every character in the movie -- and strips it of all charm and humor.
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Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
There are so many problems with Norbit that when you try to pin one down, another one splooges out elsewhere.
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Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Think Big Momma's House blended with a particularly loathsome Jerry Lewis movie, and you've got the picture. Grimacing yet?
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Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
Norbit is a tour de force in which Murphy plays three distinct characters, two of them to the hilt. In fact, the only thing that makes Norbit good rather than great is that the title character is a bit bland.
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Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
The question is not whether Murphy can do anything. He can. The question is why he would want to make a movie as squirmingly unfunny as Norbit.
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Brooke Holgerson, Boston Phoenix
If there's no limit to your love of fat jokes, this is the movie for you.
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Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
Another fat suit for Murphy, another bad movie.
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Drew Turney, Dark Horizons
The laughs are broad (pardon the pun), obtuse, and unsubtle.
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Kam Williams, EURWeb
If not for the fact that movie made $100 million in theaters, one would naturally never expect that such an offensive adventure ever got off the drawing board. I suppose that's why I'm a critic and not a scriptwriter.
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Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
In case you thought it was as bad as it could get, the DVD proves otherwise by giving you 14 additional scenes that weren't deemed good enough to make the final cut.
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Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
It's small consolation when you have to sit through such a miserably unfunny movie, but at least the bad ideas here are relatively original.
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Bill Gibron, DVDTalk.com
Like a Jerry Lewis vehicle gone gangrenous, Norbit is a nauseating mess.
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Joseph Proimakis, Movies for the Masses
click for review
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Philip French, Observer [UK]
Most of the jokes concern obesity, which Murphy evidently believes to be ipso facto funny.
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Paul Greenwood, Future Movies UK
A life sucking comedy of highly dubious intent.
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Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
If you're not a die-hard Murphy fan, your enjoyment of Norbit will depend entirely on how funny you find fat suits and fart jokes. Worth missing.
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Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
Murphy has a deplorable joke concerning a lost policeman's whistle for which there is no excuse whatever - other than it's very funny.
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Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
... admirável que, com um passado já tão recheado de atrocidades cinematográficas, Eddie Murphy tenha conseguido, com Norbit, a proeza de realizar aquele que, sem dúvida, é o pior filme de sua já desastrosa carreira.
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Tony Horkins, Empire Magazine
Stereotype-based comedy from Eddie Murphy in a variety of fat suits is just not enough to make a decent film.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Jeff "
When I was in college, this film was playing in the student pub; I had nothing else better to do, so I watched it. Boy was that a bad choice. This film was poorly written, acted and directed with a bad cast. The result is one of the worst films that I have seen in recent memory. This… More
When I was in college, this film was playing in the student pub; I had nothing else better to do, so I watched it. Boy was that a bad choice. This film was poorly written, acted and directed with a bad cast. The result is one of the worst films that I have seen in recent memory. This is one of the most stupid comedies ever, and it's no wonder why Eddie Murphy's career is in such shambles. Norbit is a strained comedy right from the start. There's nothing funny about this film, in fact the only good thing about this film is the end credits. This is a painful comedy that I hated. The film suffers from a bad script, a poor cast and bad directing. There are no redeeming factors in this film. The film provides you with a waste of time, and there's nothing here that is fun, or entertaining. Norbit is an unfunny film that will depress you. This is simply put a comedy with no laughs or entertainment value whatsoever. Eddie Murphy is horrible on-screen, and this is by far one of the stupidest comedies I've seen. Norbit is a very forgettable film that doesn't deliver. The film is a pure waste of time from start to finish and shouldn't be watched by anyone looking for an effective comedy. Avoid this comedy; you'll be glad that you did. Eddie Murphy is a has been, and Norbit is proof to that. This is a film that is unwatchable, and definitely not worth your time. -
Directors C
Watching Norbit is essentialy watching Eddie Murphy set fire to his career.....again. -
Eric A
Been there done that......nutty professor zzzzzzz. -
Nicki M
Kind of mixed. It isn't as horrible and offensive as some people seem to be saying, but it isn't as funny either. I find with this one I kind of get bored watching it, though the high point for me is Raspucia. I actually think that character is kind of amusing - I… More
Kind of mixed. It isn't as horrible and offensive as some people seem to be saying, but it isn't as funny either. I find with this one I kind of get bored watching it, though the high point for me is Raspucia. I actually think that character is kind of amusing - I don't think it's offensive that she is fat, I mean come on, it's a horrible character who just happens to be very overweight. That character would be just as horrible on a skinny girl. The bits that she (or he, as she, to be more exact) is not in are the bits that drag. Norbit is a dork - there is nothing interesting about him. The pimps are so so, Mr Wong is mildly offensive with his whaling. Thandie is distracting just by how stick thin she is, but she is nice in this. It's a dumb comedy for those times you can't be bothered to think about a movie too hard. Bit of a laugh at some of the Rasputia stuff, but otherwise a bit on the bland side. -
Spencer S
Fat suits can't make up for boring jokes and just plain weirdness. -
Richard C
very few funny parts. D -
Conner R
Just a weird movie. Granted, Eddie Murphy is pretty believable as an obnoxious fat woman, but I don't think anyone wanted to see it for almost two hours. The movie is extremely trashy and dumb, but I don't think it deserved all the razzies it got. This could have been a lot… More
Just a weird movie. Granted, Eddie Murphy is pretty believable as an obnoxious fat woman, but I don't think anyone wanted to see it for almost two hours. The movie is extremely trashy and dumb, but I don't think it deserved all the razzies it got. This could have been a lot worse, but it's still bad compared to Eddie Murphy's previous movies. -
KJ P
Eddie Murphy is definately running out of steam! Stop making movies now before your movies get worse. Or at least just sign on to make a movie that you know is going to be good! -
Anthony L
I can't say I've ever heard anything good said about Norbit, rightly so, it's not very good. That said though, it wasn't half as bad as I thought it was going to be, I actually laughed a couple of times. I had just been varnishing the work surfaces in the kitchen… More
I can't say I've ever heard anything good said about Norbit, rightly so, it's not very good. That said though, it wasn't half as bad as I thought it was going to be, I actually laughed a couple of times. I had just been varnishing the work surfaces in the kitchen though, so the fact I was high on fumes probably help in my overall enjoyment of the film. A lot could be said about how misogynistic and racist this film is but then you would be taking it all too seriously. Something would be wrong if it was a big hit, won loads of awards etc but it wasn't. It was better than The Klumps, that is as close to a recommendation as I can give you! -
Chris G
Hey! You want to know why Eddie Murphy didn't win an Oscar for Dreamgirls? This is it. I've learned not to expect much out of Eddie Murphy. Has he actually done a good movie in awhile? I can't remember. What makes Norbit so special? Why is Norbit accepted as such a… More
Hey! You want to know why Eddie Murphy didn't win an Oscar for Dreamgirls? This is it. I've learned not to expect much out of Eddie Murphy. Has he actually done a good movie in awhile? I can't remember. What makes Norbit so special? Why is Norbit accepted as such a horrible film across the globe? I couldn't figure it out. It bothered me, it tore at my soul. So I had to find out for myself. And within the first few minutes I had my answer. The film also stars... drum roll please.... Cuba Gooding, Jr. That's right, the guy that won the Oscar and then let his career swim in a sewage treatment plant is in Norbit. It's not Eddie Murphy! It's Cuba! The film has Eddie Murphy playing Norbit, his rotund wife and probably some other characters that I didn't care about. It was cool twenty years ago Akeem, but that stuff got old and we get enough of that in Mike Meyer's movies. The orphanage plot is horrid with acting that isn't really acting but trying to keep up with Mr. Eddie's ad-libbing. The film centers on saving an orphanage. No, Norbit isn't on a mission from God, he's playing a foil to his large wife and her criminal family, who are the ones that want the orphanage for other investment gains. Of course there's the cute girl (Thandie Newton) that got away, who- that's right- is there to save the orphanage because in the movies only good looking people are good and people that look like me are evil. I have to say once again that the fact that Eddie Murphy is in this should have been a brown crap flag from the start. It's OK, we can blame Eddie since he also helped write this piece of shit. Shame, Eddie. Shame. I don't know what to tell you. What happened to the Eddie Murphy that wore blue leather suits with 75 zippers and was going to be the next Richard Pryor. I guess Eddie really has followed Richard Pryor in that the movies he did in the twilight of his career were crap too. -
Phil H
Murphy in more fat suits, what is it with these fat suits?? this is terrible, unfunny and kinda cruel to overweight people haha its also just an extension to his 'Nutty Proff' flicks but nowhere near as good, just a cash in. -
Bobby H
Typical Eddie Murphy movie. He plays three different roles, and does well in all of them. Though it was pretty norm to all of his other movies, not a whole lot of difference, but there was a lot of funny parts and its worth watching - maybe even buying if your a true Eddie Murphy fan. -
Nate Z
[CENTER][img]http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/8343/photo05ba6.jpg[/img][/CENTER] [COLOR=DarkRed][FONT=Arial]Norbit - It's terrible, yes, and a grotesque cartoon that milks one joke (the fat shrew is fat!), but it's not as terrible as I expected and that in and of itself… More
[CENTER][img]http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/8343/photo05ba6.jpg[/img][/CENTER] [COLOR=DarkRed][FONT=Arial]Norbit - It's terrible, yes, and a grotesque cartoon that milks one joke (the fat shrew is fat!), but it's not as terrible as I expected and that in and of itself must be something of a small victory. The candy-coated direction and ghastly realistic makeup effects elevate the wretched material, and I'm ashamed to admit that I did indeed laugh a few times, albeit only a few. Rick Baker's makeup will likely win yet another Oscar, which means we will be stuck with the tragic sentence "Academy Award-winning [I]Norbit[/I]" for the rest of our lives. The fabulous makeup can bring these wretched characters to vivid life, including an odd racist depiction of Murphy as an old Asian man, but what's the point of expert mimicry if it can be recreated on a physical level? Murphy's comedic gifts seem like they will be replaced by technology instead of complimenting what he has to offer. Then again, there's no technology that can make Norbit funnier. I hope you're happy with the money you have reaped from this mean-spirited, unfunny crass comedy, because the advertising for this almost certainly cost you, Eddie Murphy, a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for [I]Dreamgirls[/I]. Then again, that movie wasn't too great either. Nate's Grade: D+ Blood and Chocolate - A werewolf tale set in Europe where the remaining handful of werewolves hunt men for sport by night and swish around being Eurotrash by day. The film plays closely to the teens-as-super creatures formula that seems to be chiseled by the likes of [I]The Craft[/I], [I]Underworld[/I], and [I]The Covenant[/I]. What's kind of hilariously goofy is that these werewolves actually just turn into normal, White Fang-looking wolves; no hulking man-beasts. They tend to run, and in a feat of cheesy special effects, blur into a wolf thanks to a magical glow. But there are instances when they would be much better off staying as people than transforming into wolves, like for ridiculous wolf-on-wolf fight scenes. The whole concept seems rather uninspiring; would you feel a sense of power simply because you could transform into a medium sized canine at will? I can't see many practical instances where this would benefit someone. What's the appeal? Regardless, the peculiarly titled film is rather dim with plot and character and whimpers to a hasty yet predictable conclusion. Agnes Bruckner, that's a talented and beautiful young actress. Someone out there find here something worthy. Nate's Grade: D+ Shooter - A passable albeit mediocre action thriller, this humorless tale about an elite sniper framed for a presidential assassination is more interested in the nitty gritty of sharp-shooters than building a credible plot. Mark Wahlberg grumbles through uninspired action sequences but who really draws attention is a villainous Danny Glover. The man has a lisp and carries it until the end of the film, and it is never explained. It's so weird and distracting and it feels superfluous, like Glover was hard-pressed to make his rote villain interesting, so he thought, "Why not a lisp?" [I]Shooter[/I] is more proof to my ongoing assertion that Antoine Fuqua ([I]King Arthur[/I], [I]Tears of the Sun[/I]) is a shoddy director and has no valid interest in storytelling; he's studied at the Tony Scott school of Visual Indulgence. The characters are either stock roles or superhuman, and how in the world does a man get pinned for almost taking out the President and then buy mass quantities of weapons with the clever disguise of sunglasses? Nate's Grade: C Freedom Writers - Add this to the feel-good genre of true-life teacher-makes-a-difference movies. It is suitably well acted and uplifting and doesn't necessarily pander even if it does hit all the expected stops of the genre. These kids have grown up in an area heavy with gang affiliations, and the film earns extra credit for dealing with the heavy reality of gangs better than most any other teacher-in-urban-setting flick. Hillary Swank relies on her mega-watt smile to communicate her character's perseverance and idealism and does a fine job along with a strong supporting cast including Imelda Staunton as the doubtful, pessimistic, dismissive principal. [I]Freedom Writers[/I] clings to the us-vs.-them model and builds a believable underdog tale that actually could inspire a few future educators out there. This film is cozy and familiar but it also made will skill and care. Nate's Grade: B The Lives of Others - A mesmerizing and piercing human drama that burns into your memory long after it's over. This Oscar-winner for Best Foreign Film actually deserved to beat out [I]Pan's Labyrinth[/I]. This vastly intriguing, dense, and extremely moving film explores life inside East Germany before the Wall fell, a life not often seen in the movies. The crux of the movie follows a career officer (Ulrich Mühe) in the secret police who has been assigned to eavesdrop on a playwright and his actress girlfriend. It is this assignment that shakes the man's blind faith in his government, and [I]The Lives of Others[/I] becomes nerve-wracking when our silent listener decides to become active in trying to protect his subjects from his boss. This is masterful, artistically illuminating filmmaking with a tight, deeply felt story and superb acting and direction. Germany has been crafting some of the world's finest cinema as of late, including Oscar-winner [I]Nowhere in Africa[/I] and Oscar-nominees [I]Downfall[/I] and [I]Sophie Scholl[/I]. See this film before Hollywood remakes it and ruins it. Tragically, Mühe died of stomach cancer in July 2007 just as American audiences began to see [I]The Lives of Others[/I] and witness the depths of his talent. He will be missed by the world of cinema but his work in [I]The Lives of Others[/I] is a lasting testament. Nate's Grade: A [/FONT][/COLOR] -
Craig S
<b><u>Directed by:</u> Brian Robbins.</b> <b><u>Starring:</u> Eddie Murphy, Thandie Newton, Cuba Gooding Jr.</b> Now before I say anything, I definitely would not go and waste the price of a ticket for this film, my dads mate ended up… More
<b><u>Directed by:</u> Brian Robbins.</b> <b><u>Starring:</u> Eddie Murphy, Thandie Newton, Cuba Gooding Jr.</b> Now before I say anything, I definitely would not go and waste the price of a ticket for this film, my dads mate ended up giving me a bootlegged version on disk and I thought before I throw it away, I'd watch it. By the finale, I wish I hadn't. I was at least expecting Eddie Murphy to shine in his roles by adding a little bit of wit, humour and some form of sweetness, none of that is seen. Instead I got retarded, forced, very badly written humour and enough cliches for 2 films. Just before I came on here to review this film, I knew that it was going to have a high flixster rating, mainly from all the young, brainless MTV generations who's humour is so stretched and muddled, that they will laugh at anything, I must say I was right. There is nothing remotely good to say about this film aside from that Thandie Newton is a beauty when she is on screen. Sits down in the garbage right next to the likes of Date Movie, which to mainly young girls, is probably a good thing. -
Roy G
From start to finish, Norbit is dismally unfunny, Martin Lawrence as Big Momma is far much better & funnier -
A.D. V
Nowhere as great as Coming To America but better than anything Murphy has made since. -
Rachel F
Hilarious. It also has my favorite comedian,Kat Williams, which makes it that much better. -
Luke B
A bunch of once good actor's give okay performances in a poorly scripted ego boost for Mr. Murphy. Unlikeable and unfunny, a few jokes had me chuckle but other than that it was painful. asteless humour without any sense of timing or structure means we are just expected to laugh… More
A bunch of once good actor's give okay performances in a poorly scripted ego boost for Mr. Murphy. Unlikeable and unfunny, a few jokes had me chuckle but other than that it was painful. asteless humour without any sense of timing or structure means we are just expected to laugh when people get hit and fat people fall down (although that is usually funny). -
Keith A
Eddie Murphy is back in the world of comedy in top form with a movie that's both funny and warm-hearted. -
Cassandra M
Walking into the movie one must admit they aren't expecting the same comedic genius as a Mel Brook's film, but perhaps that was the main draw of "Norbit" in the first place. Personally, I walked in expecting a ridiculously vile and obscenely immature show of… More
Walking into the movie one must admit they aren't expecting the same comedic genius as a Mel Brook's film, but perhaps that was the main draw of "Norbit" in the first place. Personally, I walked in expecting a ridiculously vile and obscenely immature show of comedy. I walked away seeing a lackluster prequel to Dr. Dolittle and The Nutty Proffesor combined. It would be honestly hard to say anything in this film is worth seeing, aside from the few momentary chuckles provided by Eddie Griffin and Katt Williams as stereotypical pimps (a consistently typecast role both have fallen into). As it can be best surmised, Eddy Murphy has inadvertently passed the torch, from his hysterically funny prime in stand up comedy (see: Eddy Murphy - RAW) and the Beverly Hills Cops franchise, to the mainstream Hollywood "everything is predictable" yawn-fest which is NORBIT. The script is nothing more than the recycled remains of every romantic comedy stir fried with an inexcusable amount of fat jokes and simmered over an unbelievably whipped pathetic excuse for a main character by the utterly incomprehensible name of Norbit. Simply stated, if you are over the age of 10, you will not enjoy a single second of this movie. If you want to see a funny fat movie with Eddy Murphy rent The Nutty Professor and save yourself two laugh less hours of gaggingly pathetic fat jokes and continuity errors. It seems Norbit is one big joke, oddly enough however, no one is laughing.
Cast
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Eddie Murphyas Mr. Wong -
Thandie Newtonas Kate -
Eddie Griffinas Pope Sweet Jesus
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Terry Crewsas Big Jack -
Clifton Powellas Earl -
Katt Williamsas Lord Have Mercy
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Lester '"Rasta" Speightas Blue -
Anthony Russellas Giovanni -
Floyd Levineas Abe the Tailor
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Michael Colyaras Morris the Barber -
Cuba Gooding Jr.as Deion Hughes -
Pat Crawford Brownas Mrs. Henderson
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Jeanette Milleras Mrs. Coleman -
Marlon Wayansas Buster -
Alexis Rheeas Mrs. Ling Ling Wong
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Khamani Griffinas Norbit Age 5 -
Austin Reidas Norbit Age 9 -
Lindsey Sims-Lewisas Rasputa Age 10
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China Andersonas Kate Age 5 -
Kristen Schaalas Event Organizer -
Rob Huebelas Excited Man on TV
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Michael Vossleras Bullies -
Travis Vossleras Bullies -
Mason Knightas Boy at Schoolyard
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Jonathan Meyer Robinsonas Norbit Age 17 -
Yves Lola St. Vilas Rasputia Age 17 -
Richard Gantas Preacher
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Susan Beaubianas Shop Owner -
John Gatinsas Attendant -
Laura Ortizas Teen Attendant
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Miles Robbinsas Kid at Water Park -
Charlie Murphyas Floyd the Dog -
Hayley Marie Normanas Ex-Wife
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Sara Sandersonas Ex-Wife -
Smith Choas Ex-Wife -
Esther Friedmanas Beautician
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Lonnie Hendersonas Beautician -
Carmen Rojasas Beautician -
Marianne Muellerleileas Helga
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Frank Langley IVas Puppeteer -
Donald Johnsonas Charlie -
Greta Bommeljeas kid
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Jesse Mendelas Little Girl in the Pool -
Kayren Wallaceas Orphan Girl -
Kendra McCultyas Moonbounce Kid
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Amanda Sawyeras Moonbounce Kid -
Cameron Uras Moonbounce Kid -
Lisa Marie Fernandezas Kissing Booth Girl
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Taylor Kennedyas Basketball Kid -
Hakeem Washingtonas Basketball Kid -
Fumi Desaluas Booty Shaker Girl
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Sammy B. Willsas Rib Shack Waitress -
Shyann Shane Leeas Rib Shack Waitress -
Richard Corgiatas Giovanni Staff Member
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Marc De'Antoneas Giovanni Staff Member -
Vince Micellias Giovanni Staff Member -
Ollie Rasburyas Female Vocalist
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Donald Bellas Male Vocalist -
Ron Coleas Wedding Guest -
Eurydice Davisas Wedding Guest
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Angelo Georgeas Bar Patron -
Anthony Velaas Bar Patron -
Virgil E. Carteras Norbit Photo Double
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Lauren Milleras Rasputia Photo Double -
Sally Stevensas Choir Member -
Carmen Twillieas Choir Member
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John Westas Choir Member -
Wendy Fraseras Choir Member -
Terri Koideas Choir Member
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Clydene Jackson-Edwardsas Choir Member -
Josef Powellas Choir Member -
Kathryn Bosticas Choir Member
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Maxine Watersas Choir Member -
Terry Woodas Choir Member -
Gerald Whiteas Choir Member
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Kipp Lennonas Choir Member -
Darryl Phinnesseeas Choir Member -
Louis Priceas Choir Member
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Oren Watersas Choir Member -
Craig L. Copelandas Choir Member -
Bob Joyceas Choir Member
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Guy Maedaas Choir Member -
Alvin Cheaas Choir Member -
Donna Medineas Choir Member
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Neisha Folkesas Dancer -
Kristin Denelhyas Dancer -
Lucas Raynaudas Dancer
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Tyrell Washingtonas Dancer -
Reginald Jacksonas Dancer -
Celestina Aladekobaas Dancer
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