There was a time when the comedian was one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood, and for good reason: Movies like Dr. Dolittle and Norbit were huge hits.

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As Norbit, Murphy channels the meek persona at the center of many Lewis classics, down to the accent, but he centers the film around Rasputia, a scintillating, uproarious villain.

NEWYORKER: Norbit

"Epic Movie, " "The Hitcher, " "Smokin' Aces, " "Codename: The Cleaner, " "Because I Said So, " "Hannibal Rising, " "Norbit"... every week brings another dismal low -- sometimes, mercifully, without benefit of a press screening, but often, it seems, heading straight to the top of the box office charts regardless.

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