Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
After discovering he's not really black like the rest of his family, likable dimwit Navin Johnson sets off on a hilarious misadventure that takes him from rags to riches and back again. The slaphappy jerk strikes it rich, but life in the fast lane isn't all it's cracked up to be and, in the end, all that really matters to Johnson is his true love.
The Jerk is a landmark Steve Martin comedy vehicle that defined a particular brand of absurdist, anarchic humor. Its Novelty is genuinely high — the film's loose, gag-driven structure and Martin's singular comic persona (the naive, well-meaning dimwit) gave it a distinctive voice that few comedies have replicated. The plot is intentionally thin and episodic, which works for the comedy but limits its storytelling craft. Martin and Bernadette Peters have real charm and chemistry, making the acting serviceable and warm if not technically impressive. Cinematography is purely functional with no particular visual ambition. The ending, while emotionally satisfying in a low-key way, is more sweet than memorable.