The Jerk (VHS - 1979)

Released in 1979 and directed by Carl Reiner, "The ...

Posted Dec 30, 2003 - Released in 1979 and directed by Carl Reiner, "The Jerk" was Steve Martin's first major film and screenwriting effort. The movie follows the rags to riches to rags story of idiot, good-natured Navin Johnson (Steve Martin) who was raised by a black sharecropping family headed by the matriarch (Mabel King). Navin discovers his true ethnicity when he finds rhythm with an easy listening radio station and decides to make his fortune in the world. Going through a series of menial jobs (eg gas station attendant and carnival weight guesser), Navin escapes from a serial killer, discovers his sexuality (ie his "special purpose"), falls in love with a wholesome femme fatale (Bernadette Peters), and gets rich from his invention of the Opti-Grab, a tool which keeps glasses from slipping. The fairytale comes crashing down when Navin is sued over his invention. What makes this film work is that Martin can make the material effective with silliness which seems natural and unabrasive. Moreover, the sexual references are well done in a way that matches the aura of the movie as a whole. The bottom line is that "The Jerk" is a movie that is still funny today and is important when examining the development of Steve Martin's career.

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The Jerk is about an intellectually challenged man ...

Posted Jan 18, 2002 - The Jerk is about an intellectually challenged man (played by Steve Martin) who is raised by family of black sharecroppers in rural Mississippi. When Martin goes off to experience the world, he casually invents a product that makes him an instant millionaire: the little nose clip on glasses that prevents them from sliding off your face. This movie is ridiculous but it allows Martin to steal the show. My favorite scene: a deranged gunman is firing at Martin as he works in a gas station. The bullets are missing him and popping holes in cans of oil right behind him. When Martin finally figures out what is going on (after asking his boss if the cans are defective), he runs away shouting a warning to his boss, "Stay away from the cans! He hates the cans!"

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The Jerk is about an intellectually challenged man ...

Posted Jan 18, 2002 - The Jerk is about an intellectually challenged man (played by Steve Martin) who is raised by family of black sharecroppers in rural Mississippi. When Martin goes off to experience the world, he casually invents a product that makes him an instant millionaire: the little nose clip on glasses that prevents them from sliding off your face. This movie is ridiculous but it allows Martin to steal the show. My favorite scene: a deranged gunman is firing at Martin as he works in a gas station. The bullets are missing him and popping holes in cans of oil right behind him. When Martin finally figures out what is going on (after asking his boss if the cans are defective), he runs away shouting a warning to his boss, "Stay away from the cans! He hates the cans!"

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Johnson, Navin R.  hey, we don't have defectiv ...

Posted 1 year ago -

Johnson, Navin R.  hey, we don't have defective cans....we got a defective peson.  I think it's great how everyone is commenting on the cans.  classic

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I not only have this on DVD, I  have it on VHS to ...

Posted Feb 28, 2008 - I not only have this on DVD, I  have it on VHS too!!!  ..and that's all I need.

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This was one of Stanley Kubrick's favorite films, ...

Posted Mar 12, 2007 - This was one of Stanley Kubrick's favorite films, nuff said.

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I just watched this movie for the first time in ...

Posted Mar 5, 2007 -

I just watched this movie for the first time in years since my buddy Steve bought it on DVD.  Its a good movie, but the dog doesn't appear enough in it!

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the jerk is a briliant film. with comedy unmatched ...

Posted Jun 29, 2005 - the jerk is a briliant film. with comedy unmatched.

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steve martin is pure genius in this. one of the be ...

Posted Jun 12, 2005 - steve martin is pure genius in this. one of the best comedies of all time.

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steve martin is pure genius in this. one of the be ...

Posted Jun 12, 2005 - steve martin is pure genius in this. one of the best comedies of all time.

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I have a soft spot for Steve Martin, I admit it. T ...

Posted Apr 24, 2005 - I have a soft spot for Steve Martin, I admit it. This guy is hysterical. Classic comedy.

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"He hates these cans!" Great movie and one of Mart ...

Posted Apr 15, 2005 - "He hates these cans!" Great movie and one of Martin's best.

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"DAMN THESE GLASSES", "OK SIR....I DAMN THEE!" "HE ...

Posted Nov 7, 2004 - "DAMN THESE GLASSES", "OK SIR....I DAMN THEE!" "HERE I FIXED THEM SIR, NOW YOU JUST PUT THEM ON EASILY" "HEY, YOU COULD MAKE A LOT OF MONEY SELLING S**T LIKE THIS!" One of the funniest movies ever made!

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Silly and crazy, which of course is Steve Martin a ...

Posted Sep 12, 2004 - Silly and crazy, which of course is Steve Martin at his best. This movie cracks me up every time.

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I still love this crazy movie. If you ever need a ...

Posted Sep 11, 2004 - I still love this crazy movie. If you ever need a good laugh, this is the one.

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