‘N’ Word in Murphy Film Is Anything but ‘Nutty’

It’s obvious that movie superstar Eddie Murphy has enough clout to control the use of the “N” word in his films (“ ‘Nutty’ Transformations,” July 5, Calendar). Therefore, I was totally dismayed during the otherwise hilarious dinner scene (in which Murphy plays several roles), where for some unknown reason he chose to use the “N” word not once or twice, but several times--something totally unnecessary and inappropriate.

My wife, my 7-year-old daughter and I were in Mammoth Lakes on vacation. Being the only African American male in the movie theater, I found myself watching both the movie and the audience with equal fascination. The audience was a typical Mammoth weekend mix, mostly white, a sprinkling of Asians and a few Latinos. Since being an overt racist is not politically correct in the ‘90s, the audience found itself between a rock and a hard place as to their response when the “N” word was used. I wondered what my daughter’s perceptions were. Murphy has children also, and I wonder what their perceptions are.

The credits list Jerry Lewis (another King of Comedy) as one of the producers of this updated version of “The Nutty Professor.” I wonder what Lewis thought of Murphy’s use of the “N” word.

During a nightclub sequence, Murphy and the onstage comic were playing the “dozens.” Of course, one can’t play the “dozens” without talking about the other guy’s mama. Murphy employs the tried-and-true “B” word when referring to the female species. Politically correct or not, it’s always dangerous and disheartening for women to hear themselves being called “bitch,” and men (and women?) laughing about it. Murphy is a comic genius. Surely along with this gift should be some form of social responsibility.

The most chilling moment came during the alumni ball finale of the movie. Buddy Love (the nutty professor’s thinner alter ego) refers to the African American pianist as “Niggerace” (rhymes with Liberace). Ha, ha, ha. This was probably an ad lib on someone’s part and the audience loved it. I could hear little kids repeating the epithet.

“The Nutty Professor” has been getting positive reviews and good box office, yet no one has mentioned the use of the “N” word. Curious, isn’t it? So politically correct.