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The Jerk Reviews

1979 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 5551 members

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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  • Critics' reviews (2) of The Jerk

    View all
  • 4 stars out of 5

    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.

    • Radio Times
  • 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

    • Time Out
  • Most helpful members' reviews (3) of The Jerk

    View all
  • 3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    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

      • A customer from London England
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    What can i say.. Steve Martin at his classic comedy best !!! Before Steve Martin matured (which isnt always a bad thing) he starred in comedies like this, playing rather manic characters. Always funny to watch and Steve, although quite raw (he said himself on an interview once that he couldnt believe that he had shouted through this entire film), is always likeable and his comic genius shines through. If you like this you have to check out other Steve classics "Man With Two Brains", "Lonely Guy", to name just a couple. Skip "Cheaper by the Dozen" and watch this instead, even if you have seen it 10 times already. If you are a new Steve Martin fan since his re-emergence to fame in Bowfinger, then you

    will find this a lot different but it's well worth checking out.

    It does show it's age a bit today, picture is good but not what you are used to when watching DVD's, except for others of similar age (but then its not the sort of film that gets a few million dollars spent on its restoration) and the sound is only stereo but its not one that relys on loads of music and sound effects.

    Check it out !!!!

      • A customer from LINCOLN
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    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!!!

      • T.D.Price from London, England
  • Most recent members' reviews (2) of The Jerk

    View all
  • 3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    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

      • A customer from London England
  • Rated - 5 stars

    original steve martin

    This movie is early Steve Martin which means it is original and crazy and achingly funny. And once you've watched this one, try the Man with Two Brains. But beware, there are two Steve Martins: The brilliantly funny one and the mushy dull one. If you are a fan of Cheaper by the Dozen and Father of the Bride, don't rent this movie.

      • A customer from Bromley, England
  • 3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    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

      • A customer from London England
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    What can i say.. Steve Martin at his classic comedy best !!! Before Steve Martin matured (which isnt always a bad thing) he starred in comedies like this, playing rather manic characters. Always funny to watch and Steve, although quite raw (he said himself on an interview once that he couldnt believe that he had shouted through this entire film), is always likeable and his comic genius shines through. If you like this you have to check out other Steve classics "Man With Two Brains", "Lonely Guy", to name just a couple. Skip "Cheaper by the Dozen" and watch this instead, even if you have seen it 10 times already. If you are a new Steve Martin fan since his re-emergence to fame in Bowfinger, then you

    will find this a lot different but it's well worth checking out.

    It does show it's age a bit today, picture is good but not what you are used to when watching DVD's, except for others of similar age (but then its not the sort of film that gets a few million dollars spent on its restoration) and the sound is only stereo but its not one that relys on loads of music and sound effects.

    Check it out !!!!

      • A customer from LINCOLN
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    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!!!

      • T.D.Price from London, England
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 0 stars

    before he got boring

    This is the best film tht Steve Martin has ever made......

      • k hacket from Baldock
  • Rated - 5 stars

    One of Steve Martins finest comedys, some fo the jokes might be old but they still make you laugh.

      • A customer from BELFAST
  • Rated - 5 stars

    One of the best comedies

    Keep going back to this one as it makes me laugh out loud everytime, especially when he is trying to keep the rythm by clicking his fingers.

      • Chris Charalambous from London
  • Rated - 3 stars

    Funny in places!

    This film was OK but just not as good as i thought it would be!!

      • A customer from london, england
  • 1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Steve Martin at his best

    Don't need to say anymore!!!!!

      • A customer from Hull, England
  • Rated - 5 stars

    original steve martin

    This movie is early Steve Martin which means it is original and crazy and achingly funny. And once you've watched this one, try the Man with Two Brains. But beware, there are two Steve Martins: The brilliantly funny one and the mushy dull one. If you are a fan of Cheaper by the Dozen and Father of the Bride, don't rent this movie.

      • A customer from Bromley, England
  • Rated - 3 stars

    OK Steve Martin film

    This is an ok steve martin film but it doesnt have the funny lines, story line or even flair that some of his others has, worth one watch but nothing more

      • Daniel Vurley from Leeds, West Yorkshire
  • Critics' reviews (2)

  • 4 stars out of 5

    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.

    • Radio Times
  • 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

    • Time Out

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    • 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 ...

Rating breakdown

5,551 Member ratings
  • 100
520
  • 90
466
  • 80
944
  • 70
929
  • 60
1,024
  • 50
591
  • 40
438
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268
  • 20
249
  • 10
122

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