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The Jerk
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The Jerk

1979
Comedy
1h 34m
A complete imbecile struggles to make it through life on his own, until a strange invention makes him unbelievably wealthy. (imdb)
Directed by:
Carl Reiner Carl Reiner
Written by:
Steve Martin Steve Martin Carl Gottlieb Carl Gottlieb Michael Elias
+2 more
Starring:
Bernadette Peters Bernadette Peters M. Emmet Walsh M. Emmet Walsh Steve Martin Steve Martin Bill Macy Bill Macy Dick O\ Dick O'Neill Catlin Adams Mabel King Mabel King Richard Ward Richard Ward Dick Anthony Williams Dick Anthony Williams Maurice Evans Maurice Evans Helena Carroll Renn Woods Renn Woods
More
Genre:
Comedy
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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The Jerk

1979
Comedy
1h 34m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 56.9% from 2743 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 23 Jan 2014
100
98th
"WHAT'S HAPPENING TO MY SPECIAL PURPOSE?!"
Rated 23 Jan 2014
jstryjstry
Rated 08 Feb 2008
90
91st
"He hates these cans!"
Rated 08 Feb 2008
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 30 Jun 2019
77
53rd
Silly but enjoyable comedy whose shaggy storytelling style becomes a little frustrating after a while; performances are all terrific with Martin beautifully selling his character's overwrought dumb naivety, backed by a terrific supporting cast who wisely play it straight most of the time - Peters especially achieves a terrific high wire balancing act. Lurching pacing is a problem, especially when it becomes apparent you are really watching a series of sketches.
Rated 30 Jun 2019
recklessmessrecklessmess
Rated 31 Jan 2011
88
94th
Personally, I think he made the wrong choice. He should have stayed with the nazi stunt biker chick with the tattooed ass. She was good to him.
Rated 31 Jan 2011
doctor7doctor7
Rated 17 Apr 2010
80
72nd
Steven Martin has never been a draw for me. This is most certainly due to the fact that when I began to watch films in the 90's his career was on a slippery slope that it really hasn't recovered from. I'm glad I gave this film a chance though. From the early line "I was born a poor black child" I knew that this was going to be hilarious. Yes, I can't deny that it's a bit spotty in places but it's worth seeing. If for no other reason as proof that Steve Martin was actually hilarious.
Rated 17 Apr 2010
tripwyreTripwyre
Rated 24 Nov 2008
88
89th
One of the few comedies of past generations that is still pee-your-pants hilarious all these years later. There's a brilliant comic moment in nearly every scene, and Martin has never been funnier. His unwavering naive enthusiasm is just so lovable, and watching him devolve into the titular jerk is a treat. "They didn't even have the little umbrella for the wine!!" Martin and Peters are remarkably charming together, and wouldn't you know it, so is the film. It's scattered, but oh-so-funny.
Rated 24 Nov 2008
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 01 Aug 2009
79
82nd
Brilliant early Steve Martin comedy that would showcase his big screen talent that he would fulfil throughout the 1980's. "The Jerk" is an endearing and heartwarming comedy that jumps from one absurd set piece to another with Martins supurb comic performance right at the centre
Rated 01 Aug 2009
paxtonPaxton
Rated 21 Feb 2015
78
85th
If there's a single character in all the history of film that I identify with, it's Blanche from A Streetcar Named Desire.
Rated 21 Feb 2015
savagelucy42SavageLucy42
Rated 14 Aug 2007
91
75th
I was born a poor black child.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
fudgiebfudgieb
Rated 16 Jul 2009
92
79th
A classic bit of comedy and Martin at his finest. I truly wish I could've seen this when it first came out, because I have a feeling I would have appreciated the comedy a lot more when it was original. Still...it holds up to this day.
Rated 16 Jul 2009
nobambanobamba
Rated 20 Apr 2019
40
30th
Didn't meet my expectations given the love others give for this movie. Did "jerk" mean something else back in 1979? This was more like The Moron, but not even in a redeeming Forrest Gump way. Steve Martin seems to be trying his best. It just gets tiring after probably the gas station. His staggering wealth also didn't match up with his relatively small income. The romance didn't make sense. Fav scene: covering himself up with 2 dogs.
Rated 20 Apr 2019
johnsandwichJohnSandwich
Rated 09 Apr 2010
80
84th
Many moments of genius in this film, particularly the scene where he says "all I need is this" and then just keeps adding on stuff he needs for seemingly forever.
Rated 09 Apr 2010
cmonsterCMonster
Rated 31 Mar 2011
85
80th
I was born a poor black child.
Rated 31 Mar 2011
petrostserPetrosTser
Rated 12 Oct 2016
60
44th
"The Jerk" is an enjoyable if slightly uneven comedy. Some of the jokes are particularly funny, with the film hitting its zenith slightly after the middle, whereas others remain only mildly amusing. The story itself is arguably a little too familiar and that keeps the film down a bit, although Steve Martin's idiosyncratic performance does provide quite a sense of personality. Overall, "The Jerk" is worth watching, even just for those sporadic moments of iconic comedic brilliance.
Rated 12 Oct 2016
sosleepySosleepy
Rated 05 Sep 2008
87
89th
It's Steve Martin at his best...The son of a poor black family from Mississippi, Nevin Johnson, embarks on a journey to find his own way in life. It chronicles his life as he makes his fortune and loses it all. This comedy doesn't lose any of it's potentness even though it's almost 30 yr's old.
Rated 05 Sep 2008
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 29 Jan 2010
70
14th
Forced, labored comedy. Funny only in fits . . . and jerks.
Rated 29 Jan 2010
twincinematwincinema
Rated 07 Jul 2016
100
98th
"He hates these cans! Stay away from the cans!"
Rated 07 Jul 2016
adornmentadornment
Rated 10 Oct 2018
79
74th
I mean, it's totally uneven and I'm pretty sure there's only one joke in the whole movie, but it also made me laugh for 90 minutes straight, which is a feat. Steve Martin's unabashed naivety wins the movie.
Rated 10 Oct 2018
svicciarellisvicciarelli
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
32nd
Some good ideas bounce around here, but there's not enough truly great humor for this to be the classic everyone pretends it is.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
lrampartllrampartl
Rated 14 Aug 2007
91
94th
One of the funniest movies of all time, before Steve Martin turned into an unfunny pile of suck. "HE HATES THESE CANS!"
Rated 14 Aug 2007
apm2091apm2091
Rated 19 May 2013
61
22nd
the humor falls flat for most of the film, mainly because it relies on subtlety from a character who isn't subtle. It's also aged a bit and the premise isn't all that original either.
Rated 19 May 2013
martrynmartryn
Rated 15 Aug 2007
74
62nd
Some great one liners come from this film. It gets tiring by the end of the movie, but it started strong enough.
Rated 15 Aug 2007
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 14 Aug 2007
3
38th
Steve was never better.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
kasperlKasperL
Rated 08 Jul 2015
50
29th
Not very good, but it does yield some chuckles here and there. The funniest bit was the surprising payoff to the line "Would it be too much if I asked for a kiss?"
Rated 08 Jul 2015
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 03 Sep 2011
6
55th
The Jerk wasn't a terrible movie but one of the best comedies of all time? Come on!
Rated 03 Sep 2011
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 22 Feb 2007
60
62nd
Some great moments.
Rated 22 Feb 2007
rayRay
Rated 28 May 2010
75
71st
I started watching this with the honest intention of hating it. I have a natural prejudice to Steve Martin, you see. You can imagine how frustrated I was when this turned out to be mildly hilarious. It's very silly, hell it's barely a step above slapstick, and I'd be hard to press to call it well acted or written, but it's just very funny. Surely, as a comedy, it deserves a solid rating just for that?
Rated 28 May 2010
netmonknetmonk
Rated 06 Mar 2010
82
45th
Surprisingly charming oddball comedy with Steve Martin playing buffoon in a number of memorable scenes. "This ashtray and paddle game are all I need!" "The first day was like a week..."
Rated 06 Mar 2010
matthias99Matthias99
Rated 12 Jul 2007
90
66th
Really, really funny.
Rated 12 Jul 2007
weirdyodaweirdyoda
Rated 09 Jun 2010
95
94th
This character would not be so universally beloved if this were released in 2010. But thanks to the far superior, political correctness free, ages of yore, retardation has never and will never be funnier! Way ahead of it's time, perhaps still ahead of time.
Rated 09 Jun 2010
nandorizzinandorizzi
Rated 12 May 2008
80
80th
Old comedy, but that still garantee some laughters.
Rated 12 May 2008
lachapellelachapelle
Rated 14 Aug 2007
77
52nd
Before there was Sandler, before there was Carrey, there was Martin. This was the real breakout film for Martin. Hilarious and a benchmark for all other films like it. "The new phone books are here!"
Rated 14 Aug 2007
jellyscudsJellyscuds
Rated 06 Feb 2010
35
15th
Not a big Steve Martin fan.
Rated 06 Feb 2010
mlingkhmlingkh
Rated 04 Jan 2013
50
7th
Couldn't finish it. Not only completely stupid and unfunny, the pace of this film is abysmal.
Rated 04 Jan 2013
torberntorbern
Rated 17 Sep 2020
50
12th
One of the better entries in the Uncle Comedy canon.
Rated 17 Sep 2020
stuie299stuie299
Rated 17 Aug 2019
95
97th
Brilliantly stupid. Very modern humor for 1979. Much like Blazing Saddles you can instantly see its influence on later comedic works. Don't make the same mistake I did and watch this immediately.
Rated 17 Aug 2019
icybrianIcyBrian
Rated 06 Apr 2011
78
62nd
I'd forgotten that the connotation of the word "jerk" has changed over the years, from when it meant someone was a naive fool as opposed to an asshole. The title character is a lovable dimwit, and his journey is just a hobbit or two away from being epic. Really funny.
Rated 06 Apr 2011
pigletPiglet
Rated 10 Jun 2009
40
7th
Don't see the big deal being made about this and how Martin was supposed to be much better before. Unfunny.
Rated 10 Jun 2009
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
63rd
When I was about 11, Bernadette Peters was the sexiest woman I had ever seen. This is also one of Steve Martin's funnier movies.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
rbloveRBLove
Rated 29 Jan 2012
91
84th
Just one of my all- time faces and one of the most influential films for me.
Rated 29 Jan 2012
letskillrobotsletskillrobots
Rated 30 Jul 2018
26
78th
A movie on self-identity and the search to better understand ourselves.
Rated 30 Jul 2018
oaicoaic
Rated 09 Sep 2013
100
94th
As if this isn't the funniest movie ever. Even if you don't like Steve Martin, give this a watch.
Rated 09 Sep 2013
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 24 Sep 2008
72
32nd
Goes on a bit long and drags in parts, but there are plenty of great lines to make it worthwhile.
Rated 24 Sep 2008
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 26 Feb 2013
80
37th
Steve Martin is absolutely fantastic in it, delivering one of those great mixes of comedy and pathos. Some of the scenarios are just hysterically funny - I love the scene with M. Emmet Walsh as the madman. Also, "I was born a poor black child" is one of the best lines in all of cinema.
Rated 26 Feb 2013
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 21 Sep 2010
70
79th
A lot of people dislike Steve Martin, and this movie is most assuredly stupid at times, but there is a subtle genius in the reactions from people around this moron.
Rated 21 Sep 2010
altf4altf4
Rated 29 Dec 2007
85
78th
this is one of the funnier movies I've seen that was made out of my generation
Rated 29 Dec 2007
teeceeteecee
Rated 17 Sep 2008
55
83rd
Hvor kan jeg få den ???
Rated 17 Sep 2008
frostyFrosty
Rated 07 Oct 2009
75
75th
A (mostly) flawless blending of a dozen comedy styles, from slapstick and surrealism to situational and many other words beginning with S.
Rated 07 Oct 2009
hehhehhehheh
Rated 19 Dec 2007
4
84th
like forrest gump but funny
Rated 19 Dec 2007
ryan_luedersRyan Lueders
Rated 30 Apr 2016
78
50th
Would I sound like a jerk if I said, I think Dumb and Dumber stole their idea from this movie? I saw a lot of similarities between the two films. Steve Martin was great in this movie. He played the perfect amount of dumb and it had some really classic scenes like the sniper shooting at him and him running out of the house covering his sensitive areas by two dogs that he picked up off the ground...
Rated 30 Apr 2016
maddogmaddog
Rated 11 Oct 2007
79
60th
It has moments that will make you smile, even chuckle, but the movie itself feels like an unredeeming 'Forrest Gump'. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels remains Martin's best.
Rated 11 Oct 2007
hotsakehotsake
Rated 03 Aug 2021
56
44th
Steve Martin gives his all unfortunately the movie isn't all that. There are a couple of good moments and bits of dialogue but overall I'd say you could give this one a miss.
Rated 03 Aug 2021
yiannosYiannos
Rated 02 Jan 2022
63
54th
Early star making vehicle for Martin plays to his strengths as both a comedian and a performer. Peters also makes a strong impression. The gags are hit and miss, but that is mostly Reiner's fault, who was never in the same league as Allen or Brooks. Nonetheless, it is easy to see why it was a big hit in its day, and it is a reminder of how funny Martin was before he became a milquetoast mug.
Rated 02 Jan 2022
closedmouthclosedmouth
Rated 03 Mar 2011
80
68th
Enjoyed this one, the gags are funny, and not off-the-wall stupid like in "Two Brains" and some of his later stuff. There are even some genuinely funny women characters, which is a relief, to be honest. A lot of these 80s comedies have women as unwitting foils for the gags, but Peters holds her own here and I loved that. Good fun.
Rated 03 Mar 2011
murravenerMurravener
Rated 08 Mar 2007
78
53rd
One of Martin's funniest role, this film tells the story of a rather dumb man who becomes rich inventing an eyeglass accessory.
Rated 08 Mar 2007
mariamariaMariaMaria
Rated 16 Oct 2008
99
60th
Steve Martin was comedic perfection - at his best in this film.
Rated 16 Oct 2008
metalhankmetalhank
Rated 15 Jun 2021
76
90th
Just good silly fun without worrying about political correctness, and as with most good comedies it has heart as well.
Rated 15 Jun 2021
kingjohnbbqKingjohnbbq
Rated 31 Oct 2010
98
93rd
I was born a poor black man.
Rated 31 Oct 2010
shephardShephard
Rated 29 Oct 2007
74
86th
Absolutely original and zany and witty. Funny!
Rated 29 Oct 2007
aversasAversaS
Rated 13 Aug 2012
80
84th
All I need is this lamp...and this chair...and this thermos, and that's all I need. And this movie.
Rated 13 Aug 2012
ryanscoomerRyanscoomer
Rated 22 Apr 2009
90
94th
Steve Martin's best. I almost named my dog Shithead, but realized not everybody would find it that funny.
Rated 22 Apr 2009
nilkynarfynilkynarfy
Rated 02 Jul 2011
90
92nd
Like most Anarchic Comedy films, not for everyone, but for its audience The Jerk is a masterpiece.
Rated 02 Jul 2011
hsncrspywlhsncrspywl
Rated 19 Jan 2013
78
62nd
Edgy but heartwarming, silly but biting, The Jerk is a very sweet story made up of the stupidest possible punchlines to any given joke set-up. Steve Martin is excellent as the titular character - he does very well at playing a clueless idiot, a bit of a stretch from his later roles as an actual jerk. Throws every possible gag at the audience, on every possible level - including some stuff I'm fairly sure wouldn't get made today because it's rather cutting.
Rated 19 Jan 2013
droplet00Droplet00
Rated 21 Jun 2008
89
67th
Hilarious.
Rated 21 Jun 2008
slaydeSlayde
Rated 03 Oct 2008
95
90th
What an underrated movie. The one thing that Steve Martin should be remembered for. I've been watching this for three or more years and I haven't not laughed once.
Rated 03 Oct 2008
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 14 Jul 2022
75
65th
rvw
Rated 14 Jul 2022
racerx124racer_x124
Rated 10 Mar 2010
75
46th
Best to just watch all the good scenes on youtube. Good if you've got 90 minutes to kill though
Rated 10 Mar 2010
ksrivasksrivas
Rated 18 Dec 2015
0
4th
I must be too young to appreciate this movie. I completely understand if that is the case, but I didn't enjoy it at all.
Rated 18 Dec 2015
uksubsUKSubs
Rated 03 Dec 2006
45
39th
Everyone loves Steve Martin, myself included, but this movie is at best poorly paced and moderately amusing, rather than laugh out loud hysterical, like most people believe it to be.
Rated 03 Dec 2006
glm01glm01
Rated 18 Apr 2014
79
61st
78.500
Rated 18 Apr 2014
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 16 Jun 2014
90
91st
"Do you remember me?!" "No, but don't feel bad."
Rated 16 Jun 2014
90scoffee90sCoffee
Rated 23 Dec 2017
70
28th
Stupidly funny
Rated 23 Dec 2017
montmont
Rated 15 Sep 2014
48
44th
some good jokes but some of them went on way too long. seriously family guy levels of stretching the joke on too far
Rated 15 Sep 2014
oldgoatoldgoat
Rated 27 Jul 2009
75
66th
Awesomely funny in bad ways
Rated 27 Jul 2009
eric_janeric-jan
Rated 05 Feb 2017
50
2nd
Racist and stupid.
Rated 05 Feb 2017
gtown1479gtown1479
Rated 23 Feb 2008
87
89th
This movie is hysterical. Its Steve Martin at his finest.
Rated 23 Feb 2008
joeliusJoelius
Rated 08 Mar 2011
33
44th
Hilarious in a few places but slow over all. If you like comedies about idiots this should be your thing.
Rated 08 Mar 2011
troothTrooth
Rated 26 Nov 2011
63
36th
It's a pretty wacky plot. The kind of situation where it can't really be written in any genre other than comedy. A lot of the humor pertains more to the overall situation than to individual moments, but it does fairly well in both departments.
Rated 26 Nov 2011
crim122Crim122
Rated 20 Apr 2009
90
50th
Such a simple yet effective story, that leaves it open for so many hilarious gags.
Rated 20 Apr 2009
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 25 Jul 2021
80
78th
Some of the best Steve Martin skits, hanging precariously under the slim thread of a rags-to-riches plot. I'm usually more of a fan of intellectual humor, but the "stupid funny" bits -- even the non sequiturs (like my favorite: I slit a sheet) -- finally won me over in the end.
Rated 25 Jul 2021
chaooftimeChaooftime
Rated 31 Jul 2009
72
34th
An odd film. Not Steve Martin's funniest, but a damned good example of how good of an actor he is.
Rated 31 Jul 2009
jamesdepaolojamesdepaolo
Rated 14 Jun 2010
100
97th
this movie from start to finish is so damn funny..what a great classic...the writing is so spot on, and the jokes are so silly they dont make you feel embarrassed or dumb to laugh at them there will never be a movie in the comedy world that can touch this
Rated 14 Jun 2010
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
54th
Not hysterically funny, but funny enough with no low points. Interesting to note how NICE this movie is compared to contemporary comedies.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
mlpgaffneymlpgaffney
Rated 19 Aug 2009
94
91st
Classic dumb comedy. It really encapsulates the 70s.
Rated 19 Aug 2009
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 14 Dec 2011
88
94th
This is a classic, silly early Steve Martin comedy. It still makes me laugh even after several viewings. The movie is a very simple but funny story, with plenty of funny jokes. Martin and Bernadette Peters make a cute and funny couple.
Rated 14 Dec 2011
hansmolemanhansmoleman
Rated 14 Aug 2007
73
40th
Like Spaceballs, simply not as funny as it was when I was younger.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
pompousasspompousass
Rated 26 May 2009
0
12th
The main escape hatch of Martin's stand-up routines is the schizoid way he switches from one persona to another, allowing him not just a sense of detachment from his own gags, but a sense of abandoning ship. His restriction here to a single personality, the adopted son of a black sharecropper, though scarcely consistent, and though bounced around a good deal by the shaggy-dog storyline, seems a bit like indentured servitude.
Rated 26 May 2009
ab_i_hayaAb-ı Haya
Rated 13 Mar 2022
49
6th
12.16 Hobbit
Rated 13 Mar 2022
neuroticerotNeuroticErot
Rated 14 Aug 2007
92
93rd
Best comedy ever?
Rated 14 Aug 2007
glmglm
Rated 23 Jun 2012
80
66th
79.750
Rated 23 Jun 2012
jixbyjixby
Rated 20 Feb 2010
79
48th
I like this movie okay, but I'm a much bigger jerk than this guy. I told my aunt to "shove off" once
Rated 20 Feb 2010
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 17 Jun 2010
60
63rd
Okay Movie
Rated 17 Jun 2010
vesupriavesupria
Rated 05 Feb 2010
2
14th
Steve Martin gets a job as a gas attendant. That's all you need to know. Cheers, Steve.
Rated 05 Feb 2010
egbertsouseEgbertSouse
Rated 26 Jul 2009
70
33rd
Incredibly stupid, but funny enough to not make it a waste of time. You'll at least find your special purpose afterwards.
Rated 26 Jul 2009
dumptruk4lifDumptruk4Lif
Rated 19 Jan 2020
80
44th
I found the world of the movie more interesting than I found the comedy, which started to seem more improvised and slapdash without even checking to see if it was funny first. There are a lot of types of humor in this that would inspire lots of funnier things in later years, but just by them being consistently funny makes this one avoidable. I can't give it the benefit of the doubt that it was just different times, as something like Airplane came out the next year and still holds up very well.
Rated 19 Jan 2020
petman88Petman88
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
83rd
Hilarious!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
tvfilm_hubTV+Film-Hub
Rated 25 Feb 2011
19
81st
I'm not a Steve Martin fan, but this film worked. I rarely ever say this, but finally this is Steve Martin doing what Steve Martin does and truly succeeding!
Rated 25 Feb 2011
vv238vv238
Rated 02 Jul 2020
69
73rd
The Jerk never lives up to it's insanely funny first moments but it never gets truly boring or tiring. Steve Martin doesn't care about having the most high-brow material in the script. Not that it matters because he can elevate something as inherently stupid as The Jerk to not just be funny but hilarious.
Rated 02 Jul 2020
kyndrydKyndryd
Rated 14 Aug 2007
65
22nd
Steve Martin has done better.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
chmulcr0nchmul_cr0n
Rated 20 Jul 2021
59
27th
This could have been a cool feelgood movie, if more fucks had been given about telling an actual story. It also could have been really funny if more honest attempts had been made to make it so. Admittedly, the dragging out of shitty gags is pretty bold, which I like. Same goes for the whole I-can't-believe-they-actually-put-dumb-shit-like-this-in-a-real-movie thing. But it doesn't retroactively erase all the cringe. Or turn his random shenanigans into comedy.
Rated 20 Jul 2021

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