The Jerk (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
'The Jerk' (directed by Carl Reiner) is a hysterical {at least, for me} of-its-time comedy from 1979 starring then-SNL star, Steve Martin. Bumbling & naive Navin Johnson (Martin, becoming a bonafide movie star with this role) is raised in rural Mississippi by an African-American sharecropping family (Mabel King & Richard Ward play his parents); his infamous 1st line being: "I was born a poor black child". One day his adoptive parents finally break the news to him that ... he's actually white; his humorous reaction: "You mean I'm gonna STAY this color!?" On this very same night, he hears some elevator music on the radio for the 1st time, loves it, & therefore decides that he must leave home to learn all about the world.
Thusly, he ventures out wearing a WWII helmet & goggles to St. Louis, Missouri; finding a job at a gas station after being hired by a kindly boss (Jackie Mason). It is here where he invents a grip on eyeglasses that prevents them from slipping off one's nose, & then presents it to a salesman. He settles into his job, but then must leave after escaping from a crazed gunman who tries to kill him after finding his name - at random(!) - in the telephone book. From there, he joins a traveling carnival as the guess-your-weight guy; you can imagine how well that goes. At said carnival, he uses his "special purpose" {his mama's euphemism for his penis} to lose his virginity to a smutty motorcycle stuntwoman, but then falls in love with the sweet Marie (Bernadette Peters).
When Marie informs him that she is a cosmetologist, Navin responds, "Really!? A cosmetologist!? That's unbelievable. That's impressive! Must be tough handling the weightlessness". It's at this time when the salesman returns with the news that Navin's non-slip spectacles invention is a success and, that Navin is now a millionaire. But as success, riches & fame goes to his head ... things start to fall apart both personally & financially {his spectacles invention actually makes you cross-eyes}. To this, Navin must learn what is truly important in life. But not to worry, Navin, Marie & Navin's dog - named Shithead - barrel towards an expectedly happy end.
'The Jerk' is an absurdist/madcap comedy classic, a box office hit and, Steve Martin excels in this loveable dumb-as-dirt role. His one-of-a-kind quips & spastic physical comedy are on full display. Here is one of my favorite back-&-forths btwn. Navin & Marie: Navin: "I know this is our first date but, do you think, the next time you make love to your boyfriend ... you could think of me?" Marie: "Well, I haven't made love to him yet." Navin: "That's too bad. Do you think it's possible that someday ... you could make love with me and think of HIM?" Marie: "Who knows, maybe you & he could make love and you could think of me." Navin: "I'd just be happy to be in there somewhere." {Ludicrous conversation, but so funny in the way it is delivered}.
With Carl Reiner at the helm, Martin co-writing the script, & a plethora of funny actors in the supporting roles {Jackie Mason & the wonderful Bernadette Peters are stand-outs}, the result is a frenzied mix of satire, pratfalls, but also sweetness at its core. The relationship btwn. Navin & his folks is played for broad laughs but it's also shown to be genuine. And the romance btwn. Navin & Marie is quite sincere. For all its silliness, whimsical farce & politically incorrect humor, 'The Jerk' has aged well; with discerning & not-so discerning audiences getting a kick out of it. I love this movie.
Thusly, he ventures out wearing a WWII helmet & goggles to St. Louis, Missouri; finding a job at a gas station after being hired by a kindly boss (Jackie Mason). It is here where he invents a grip on eyeglasses that prevents them from slipping off one's nose, & then presents it to a salesman. He settles into his job, but then must leave after escaping from a crazed gunman who tries to kill him after finding his name - at random(!) - in the telephone book. From there, he joins a traveling carnival as the guess-your-weight guy; you can imagine how well that goes. At said carnival, he uses his "special purpose" {his mama's euphemism for his penis} to lose his virginity to a smutty motorcycle stuntwoman, but then falls in love with the sweet Marie (Bernadette Peters).
When Marie informs him that she is a cosmetologist, Navin responds, "Really!? A cosmetologist!? That's unbelievable. That's impressive! Must be tough handling the weightlessness". It's at this time when the salesman returns with the news that Navin's non-slip spectacles invention is a success and, that Navin is now a millionaire. But as success, riches & fame goes to his head ... things start to fall apart both personally & financially {his spectacles invention actually makes you cross-eyes}. To this, Navin must learn what is truly important in life. But not to worry, Navin, Marie & Navin's dog - named Shithead - barrel towards an expectedly happy end.
'The Jerk' is an absurdist/madcap comedy classic, a box office hit and, Steve Martin excels in this loveable dumb-as-dirt role. His one-of-a-kind quips & spastic physical comedy are on full display. Here is one of my favorite back-&-forths btwn. Navin & Marie: Navin: "I know this is our first date but, do you think, the next time you make love to your boyfriend ... you could think of me?" Marie: "Well, I haven't made love to him yet." Navin: "That's too bad. Do you think it's possible that someday ... you could make love with me and think of HIM?" Marie: "Who knows, maybe you & he could make love and you could think of me." Navin: "I'd just be happy to be in there somewhere." {Ludicrous conversation, but so funny in the way it is delivered}.
With Carl Reiner at the helm, Martin co-writing the script, & a plethora of funny actors in the supporting roles {Jackie Mason & the wonderful Bernadette Peters are stand-outs}, the result is a frenzied mix of satire, pratfalls, but also sweetness at its core. The relationship btwn. Navin & his folks is played for broad laughs but it's also shown to be genuine. And the romance btwn. Navin & Marie is quite sincere. For all its silliness, whimsical farce & politically incorrect humor, 'The Jerk' has aged well; with discerning & not-so discerning audiences getting a kick out of it. I love this movie.