Friday Film Noir
The Jerk (1979) is a fantastic rags-to-riches comedy that follows Navin R. Johnson, a blissfully naive and optimistic man who leaves his adoptive Black family's humble shack to find his place in the world. Played by Steve Martin in one of his most iconic roles, Navin's journey takes him through odd jobs, a bizarre invention that makes him wealthy, and a romance with the quirky Marie, portrayed by Bernadette Peters. Despite his sudden fortune, Navin's innocent view of the world leads to hilarious misadventures and a fall from grace, all portrayed with slapstick timing and absurd wit. The film, directed by Carl Reiner, became a cult classic and remains a defining moment in Martin's career.
1979 • PG-13 • 2h 10m
Worldwide Gross: $73M
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
Holy Unknown Grade: A