THE NUTTY PROFESSOR A film review by Timothy Voon Copyright 1997 Timothy Voon
Cast: Eddie Murphy (Prof. Sherman Klump, Buddy Love, the entire Klump family), Jada Pinkett (Clara Purty), Larry Miller (Dean Richmond). Written by David Sheffield, Barry W. Blaustein, Tom Shadyac, Steve Odekerk,. Directed by Tom Shadyac.
I had heard rumours that Eddie Murphy had used this movie to poke fun at fat people. After watching the movie, I remain unsure. It's like that episode of ‘Seinfeld', where the dentist becomes Jewish, and has a field day cracking jokes about Jews.
Whatever his intentions (money making I'm sure), at least the themes of accepting yourself as you are come through by the end of the movie. Yes, that cliched term ‘beauty comes from within' and, no, it's not something that only fat and ugly people say to make themselves feel better.
Eddie Murphy has enough split personalities, to easily fill the roles of Buddy Love and Sherman Klump with ease. He just acts himself to play Buddy, and pretends to be nice when Sherman. I still feel shivers running down my spine when he does one of his cheesy smiles.
Sadly to say, much of the humour is generated at the expense, and improper portrayal of fat people. Sitting around a dining table laden with food enough to feed a glutton, bingeing in front of the T.V. set, and stashing snacks is not a problem of the obese, but the bulimic.
Comment: Sherman Klump NOT Forrest Gump.
Timothy Voon e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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