The Jerk
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.
Critics Sentiment
Madman shoots at Navin who thinks he's targeting the cans
Cross-eyed customers sue Navin over defective Opti-Grab devices
The film peaks with the iconic cans shooting scene then gradually declines through the wealth storyline, with the biggest drop occurring during the lawsuit aftermath when reviewers found the pacing sluggish.
Critics consistently praised Steve Martin's breakout performance and the film's absurdist humor, particularly the early gas station sequences and character interactions. While most found it hilarious throughout, some noted that the later wealth and lawsuit storylines dragged compared to the pure character comedy of the first half. The film succeeds as a showcase for Martin's unique comedic persona despite some pacing issues in the final act.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 55
Steve Martin
Navin R. Johnson
Bernadette Peters
Marie Kimble Johnson
Catlin Adams
Patty Bernstein
Mabel King
Mother
Richard Ward
Father
Carl Gottlieb
Iron Balls McGinty
Dick Anthony Williams
Taj
Bill Macy
Stan Fox
M. Emmet Walsh
Madman
Dick O'Neill
Frosty
Maurice Evans
Hobart
Helena Carroll
Hester
Ren Woods
Elvira
Pepe Serna
Punk #1
Sonny Terry
Blues Singer
Brownie McGhee
Blues Singer
Jackie Mason
Harry Hartounian
Sharon Johansen
Lenore Hartounian
Gene LeBell
Con Man
Carl Reiner
Carl Reiner the Celebrity
Crew
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