The Jerk (1979)

I'm not jerking your chain; this movie is really, really funny...

`The Jerk' is one of those comedies that is talked about by just about everyone; one of those comedies you feel almost incomplete if you haven't seen since everyone else around you has seen it and is always talking about it. Well, that's at least how it was with me until like a week ago when I finally got around to watching it.

The film tells the story of Navin Johnson, a white man who was raised by blacks. After finding his rhythm he decides to leave home and spread his wings. He picks up a slew of odd jobs here and there before joining the circus and meeting the girl of his dreams and then accidentally making millions when he creates an odd invention that proves to be a hit. After making his money and squandering most of it he finds himself destitute and alone, yet again.

Like the tagline suggests; this is a rags to riches, to rags kind of story.

The script is actually really well written because it manages to be funny almost all of the time. There are a few scenes that don't quite work too well, but the films short running time also helps with keeping the pace brisk and so the film really doesn't have time to meander on the weak jokes; they just move right along to the ones that work. Steve Martin (in his film starring debut) is a comedian whom we all have come to know and love and respect, and this may very well be his finest hour. He is utterly hysterical, and he actually manages to bring a shade of humane naivety to his characters senseless acts. We actually really like this guy regardless of how stupid he is.

Martin is helped out by a large and impressive cast, everyone from Bernadette Peters to Catlin Adams to M. Emmet Walsh showing up to raise the roof. Walsh has a hilarious role here as the madman who randomly picks Navin's name from a phonebook and plans to murder him. The scene alone may be the best scene in the film and is well worth the cost of the DVD.

Truth be told, this is not everyone's cup of tea or type of humor. This is far more slapstick than intelligent, but I think you would know that already. If you are more into the mature comedies then this may not be for you, but if you can appreciate a good `over-the-top' laugh riot then this is a film you're going to want to see. You're bound to find a laugh somewhere, whether it's from the name of Navin's dog or from the discovery of Navin's `special purpose'; this movie is designed to tickle that funny bone. November 5, 2008

Still hilarious after all this time

I'd forgotten how funny this one was, and how the comedies of the 70s and 80s were some of the best. Steve Martin is at the peak of his comedic form here, playing Navin Johnson, who is so stupid he doesn't even realize he's not a black person. Bernadette Peters gets to show off her vocal skills and comedic talent too, as Navin's lover, Marie.
Navin goes through a period of his life working at a gas station, then at a carnival, accidentally makes a fortune, then loses it all when the product that made him rich starts causing serious problems.
Not to worry---his large black family will always take care of their ridiculous white boy!
August 24, 2008

Funniest movie ever

I have watched this movie probably 50 times and it still makes me laugh when he talks about his "special purpose". I would highly recommend this movie to anyone and the special features on this disc are also fun, too. June 28, 2008

Classic comedy

One of the best ever. Not much off color stuff, so you can watch it with your kids! You will be using lines from this one for years to come. May 18, 2008

Steve Martin's best work

Steve Martin is at his best with non-stop comedy. This is not a family film but this is adult humor at its best. It's one of those movies you can watch over and over again. A wonderful piece of comedy. February 11, 2008

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