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The Jerk
1979
Navin Johnson, a none-too-bright white boy raised by a family of black sharecroppers, somehow manages to reach adulthood without ever discovering he was adopted. His parents finally tell him the truth on his birthday and, shocked by the news, he decides to head off to the big city to seek his fortune. Although he embarks on his .. Read more
| Starring | Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, Catlin Adams, Jackie Mason |
|---|---|
| Director | Carl Reiner |
| Genres | Comedy |
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The Jerk
Navin Johnson, a none-too-bright white boy raised by a family of black sharecroppers, somehow manages to reach adulthood without ever discovering he was adopted. His parents finally tell him the truth on his birthday and, shocked by the news, he decides to head off to the big city to seek his fortune. Although he embarks on his odyssey with Candide-like optimism, Navin soon learns the cruel ways of the world as his crazy invention--a device to stop one's glasses from sliding--leads him from rags to riches and back to rags. Steve Martin is riotous in this no-holds-barred broad slapstick comedy, with Bernadette Peters playing his accepting love interest. Jackie Mason, M. Emmet Walsh, and Bill Macy are excellent in small roles, but the focus is always on Martin, who is at his goofy best in a film loaded with hysterical sight gags and a dog whose name cannot be said on television.
| Starring | Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, Catlin Adams, Jackie Mason |
|---|---|
| Director | Carl Reiner |
| Studio | UCA |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 30 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy |
| Language | English |
| Dubbed | French, German, Italian |
| Subtitles | Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish |
| Released | DVD: 03 Nov 2007 Production year: 1979 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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Has Steve Martin made a funnier film? Fans of this insist he hasn't, as Martin takes on the role of simple-minded and naive Navin Johnson, who suddenly discovers that his black parents aren't his natural kith and kin. He takes his dog and leaves the plantation to make his way in a world which is as loopy as him. There are some heavenly jokes (especially the one where he makes a fortune inventing an absurd nose support for spectacles), and Martin is in best “manic” mode.
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America's rediscovery of lame-brain comedy brought this starring debut for Steve Martin. Behind the stoned humour, it's... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Must See
This is the best steve martin film ever. If you like this film then the man with two brains is a must see as well
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Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Steve Martin and Carl Reiner's BEST!!!
What can I say? This is probably the funniest film of the 70s. Sure, it's a little bit silly... but you will laugh! Navin Johnson has definitely been an inspiration in my lifetime. From 'The best cup 'o pizza' to 'my special purpose'... you won't find a better giggle. From rags to riches to rags... um... to riches...this is a top film!!! A true learning experience! You'll want to name your dog after Navin's dog, I can almost guarantee it! Put it on your list! 5 stars!!!
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News and features
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Apatow credits Martin for teenage comedy boost
- 22 May 2009
Funny filmmaker Judd Apatow credits comedy great Steve Martin with kickstarting his Hollywood career - after The Jerk star refused to sign an autograph for him. The man behind movie hits Knocked Up and The 40 Year Old Virgin grew up idolising Martin and would visit the comic's Hollywood home during his summers in the hope of catching a glimpse of his hero. And when the comic appeared once, Apatow approached him and asked for his autograph. Martin refused, explaining he never gave autographs at Read more
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