The Nutty Professor

On a bustling university campus, a genial but self conscious genetic professor named Sherman Klump hopes to win the affection of a new colleague, Carla Purty. When a laboratory stunt intended to slim him down goes wrong, Sherman splits into Buddy Love, a tall, confident alter ego who oozes swagger and flirtatious charm. Buddy quickly attracts attention, stirs romance, and sparks a string of comic misunderstandings as the two personalities collide in class, dorms, and the lab. The resulting chaos forces Sherman to juggle two very different lives while his friends and students navigate a wave of mistaken identities and awkward coincidences. The film treats vanity and identity with warmth, mixing goofy spectacle with occasional heartfelt moments. Its comedic energy keeps pace with sharp dialogue and quick sight gags.

Directed by Tom Shadyac, this 1996 remake draws on Jerry Lewis's 1963 The Nutty Professor. Eddie Murphy anchors the film with a tour de force of multiple roles and a strong supporting cast including Jada Pinkett Smith.

The comedy earned about 128.8 million worldwide on a 54 million budget, marking a strong return for a mid 90s family hit and contributing to Eddie Murphy's status as a top box office star. In tests and release, audiences connected.

Murphy's seven character tour de force turned The Nutty Professor into a landmark in star driven comedies, spotlighting makeup effects and performance versatility. Buddy Love and the Klump family became instantly recognizable figures in pop culture, inspiring parodies, merchandising, and ongoing conversations about identity and humor in film.

Critics offered mixed reviews, praising Murphy's range while noting that some jokes lean on familiar slapstick and plot devices. The film weighs vanity against self respect, explores friendship and loyalty, and treats transformation as both comic fuel and a vehicle for warmth. It remains a notable crowd pleaser of its era.