The Jerk

R

Released Dec 14, 1979

1 hr. 33 min.

Comedy

List

82%

44 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Navin (Steve Martin) believes he was born a poor black child in Mississippi. He is, however, actually white. Upon figuring this out, he heads north to St. Louis to find himself. After landing a job at a gas station, Navin is excited to discover his name printed in the new phone book. This ratification of his existence leads him from one misadventure to another -- as he invents gadgets, dodges bullets, joins the carnival and seeks love in the arms of beautiful Marie (Bernadette Peters).

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Critics Consensus

Crude, crass, and oh so quotable, The Jerk is nothing short of an all-out comedic showcase for Steve Martin.

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David H

I was a big fan back in the day, and this movie was an event for me and my friends. I’ve wanted to watch it again for some time now, so I finally did tonight. Some of the humor is a bit dated now, but the duet with Bernadette Peters is as lovely as ever. I believe Martin plays the ukulele live while they sing, but I’m not sure.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/27/24

Full Review

IAN c B

if you love slap stick humour give this a watch very funny scenes and loads of laughs

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

Full Review

Augustine J

The Jerk is a classic American tale of rags to riches and back to rags. It has the feel of something that your grandfather used to love back in the day. Steve Martin is delighting and the comedy is down to a science. There is a score of great comedic moments. It feels like a bridge between old and new comedy and that makes it something special.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/02/24

Full Review

Daniel M

First time watching it and it was a fun movie and Steve Martin was great in it!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/04/23

Full Review

Joel H

The Jerk is stupid, but it's my kind of stupid. Steve Martin knew that he was creating a silly film for people to laugh at when they're in a silly mood, and I think he succeeded at that. I can quote almost the entire movie and find myself laughing at moments I've seen a dozen times before. Bernadette Peters also shines in her role as Marie, who is the perfect sweet idiot to accompany Navin R. Johnson. It may not please audiences today, and there are moments where the screenplay feels a little cobbled together, but I believe anyone who doesn't find some enjoyment watching this movie is, well, a jerk.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/07/23

Full Review

JuN G

A classic. If you are easily offended, stay away....please. We don't want you to see it anyway.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/22/23

Full Review

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Carl Reiner

Director

Steve Martin

Navin R. Johnson

Bernadette Peters

Marie Kimble Johnson

Catlin Adams

Patty Bernstein

Mabel King

Mother

Richard Ward

Father

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The Jerk: Official Clip - Navin's Special Purpose

3:00

The Jerk: Official Clip - He Hates These Cans!

2:49

The Jerk: Official Clip - Navin Beats the Racists

2:14

The Jerk: Official Clip - The Lord Loves a Workin' Man

2:58

The Jerk: Official Clip - Navin's in Print

1:14

The Jerk: Official Clip - Navin's Birthday

2:28

The Jerk: Official Clip - Don't Call That Dog Lifesaver

1:33

The Jerk: Official Clip - The Opti-Grab

2:23

The Jerk: Official Clip - Navin Calls the Cops

2:59

The Jerk: Official Clip - That's All I Need!

2:58

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

The verbal and conceptual gags... belong wholly to Martin's own brand of goofiness, and some of them are pretty funny.

Mar 14, 2021

Full Review

Gary Arnold

Washington Post

Within ts limitations, The Jerk is a capably produced entertainment, seasoned by deft bit performances from several actors...

Apr 24, 2018

Full Review

John Skow

TIME Magazine

Its humor is successful and unsuccessful by turns, and although Comedian Carl Reiner is the director, the instinct here is to give most of both credit and blame to Martin.

Feb 2, 2009

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

The Jerk is uneven with a capital U.

Jan 17, 2024

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…doesn’t tick the boxes required of a rounded drama, but it’s hard to complain when so many gags land…

Rated: 4/5

Nov 30, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Every scene offers something funny; every scene subverts expectations.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 22, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Navin (Steve Martin) believes he was born a poor black child in Mississippi. He is, however, actually white. Upon figuring this out, he heads north to St. Louis to find himself. After landing a job at a gas station, Navin is excited to discover his name printed in the new phone book. This ratification of his existence leads him from one misadventure to another -- as he invents gadgets, dodges bullets, joins the carnival and seeks love in the arms of beautiful Marie (Bernadette Peters).

Director: Carl Reiner
Screenwriter: Steve Martin, Carl Gottlieb, Michael Elias
Distributor: MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co: Aspen Film Society
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 14, 1979, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2012

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