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The Jerk Description
Navin Johnson, a none-too-bright white boy raised by a family of
black sharecroppers, somehow manages to reach adulthood without ever
discovering he was adopted. His parents finally tell him the truth
on his birthday and, shocked by the news, he decides to head off to
the big city to seek his fortune. Although he embarks on his odyssey
with Candide-like optimism, Navin soon learns the cruel ways of the
world as his crazy invention--a device to stop one's glasses from
sliding--leads him from rags to riches and back to rags. Steve
Martin is riotous in this no-holds-barred broad slapstick comedy,
with Bernadette Peters playing his accepting love interest. Jackie
Mason, M. Emmet Walsh, and Bill Macy are excellent in small roles,
but the focus is always on Martin, who is at his goofy best in a
film loaded with hysterical sight gags and a dog whose name cannot
be said on television.
THE JERK is number 89 on the American Film
Institute's list of America's 100 Funniest Movies.
There was a television movie remake of the film, produced by Steve
Martin, called THE JERK TOO. It was directed by Michael Schultz and
stars stand-up comedian Mark Blankfield. Mabel King played Navin's
mother in both films.
This film was Steve Martin's first starring role, made at the height
of his immense popularity as a stand-up comedian. Previously he had
small roles and cameos in three feature films: SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY
HEARTS CLUB BAND, THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT, and THE MUPPET MOVIE.
Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters do all their own singing in the
movie--including the ever-popular Thermos song.
In the film shown to Navin by a charity representative, a disguised
Martin plays a "cat juggler," billed in the end credits as
Pig Eye Jackson.
"...Martin proves himself -- often
hilariously -- to be nobody's fool....Funny, vulgar and backhandedly
clever..."
"I was born a poor black child."--Navin
Johnson (Steve Martin), narrating the story of his life
"He hates these cans!"--Navin, fleeing a madman (M. Emmet
Walsh) with a gun
"...Martin's first major lead is a
wonderfully excessive line-up of physical gags and puerile,
sitcom-style set-pieces..."
DVD
Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Pan & Scan -
1.33
Single Side - Single Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital Mono 2.0 - English
Dolby Digital Mono 2.0 - French
Additional Release Materials:
Highlights
Trailers -
1. Original Theatrical Trailer
Text/Photo Galleries:
Production Notes
Biographies -
1. Cast & Crew |
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