It takes a professor to solve Eddie Murphy's problems

Monday, July 1, 1996

Despite the latex, comedian gives fine comic performanceBy Brandon Wilson

Summer Bruin Contributor

It's no secret that Eddie Murphy isn't what he used to be. He is fighting desperately to stay off the "Box Office Poison" roster and the only thing anyone remembers about his last film "Vampire in Brooklyn" is that a stuntwoman needlessly lost her life. So it's no surprise that Murphy would turn to one of his favorites, Jerry Lewis' classic "The Nutty Professor," in the hopes that it will be the tonic his career so desperately needs.

Murphy, along with "Ace Ventura, Pet Detective" co-writer/director Tom Shadyac, brings us an updated "Professor." This translates into better makeup and digital effects the original never even dreamed of.

Murphy plays Sherman Klump, a genetics professor with a brilliant mind, optimistic spirit and obese body. His weight, combined with his nerdy demeanor, doesn't win Sherman a lot of admirers, except for his mom (played also by Murphy, who plays nearly all of the corpulent Klump clan). His tendency to make a gaffe or two along the way to his big breakthrough has earned him the ire of the dean (effectively played by Larry Miller).

Sherman's genetic research essentially amounts to the search for the ultimate diet shake, a substance that can rewrite the DNA of those with a genetic predisposition to girthiness. Enter Carla Purdy (the exquisite Jada Pinkett), a svelte and pretty chemistry teacher who sets Sherman's overworked heart aflutter. His (pardon the pun) slim prospects at sweeping Carla off her feet, combined with a lifetime of being fat in fat-phobic America, set Sherman off, and he drinks the brew from his lab without proper testing. In no time Sherman is trim and fit, and he revels in being relieved of the burden of his bulk.

The potion's effect is only temporary, but Klump downs more of the stuff, steals Denzel Washington's Detroit Red wardrobe from "Malcolm X" and hits the town, christening his new alter ego Buddy Love. Now Carla must choose between earnest schlubb Sherman and charismatic showman Buddy. The film aides her otherwise tough dilemma by making Buddy more brash and obnoxious with every appearance, thereby strengthening the Jekyll-Hyde dialectic.

If you expect nothing from "The Nutty Professor," you'll get a few pleasant surprises. Eddie Murphy manages to create a genuine persona as Sherman (not relying on the fat suit to do the work) and his turn as the lovable scientist is his best in years. The film plays on the fear/repulsion/disgust our nation/culture harbors for the obese, and Sherman's pain and motivation for using drastic measures are entirely believable.

Buddy isn't so much a character, as he is the opposite of Sherman, and Murphy seems intent on giving Jim Carrey a run for his money when playing Sherman's other half. Murphy is undeniably funny, and thanks to the multi-role schtick (as seen in "Coming to America") he gets ample space to flex his comic muscles.

The movie is marred by sticky self-help moralizing towards the end, but if films like "Ace Ventura, Pet Detective" are staple foods on your movie diet, than the new "Nutty Professor" will probably be your cup of tea.

FILM: "The Nutty Professor" opened Friday. Directed by Tom Shadyac and starring Eddie Murphy and Jada Pinkett.

Eddie Murphy's Professor Sherman Klump woos Jada Pinkett's Carla Purdy in "The Nutty Professor."The Nutty Professor w/ Shockwave: