Does it hold up? The Jerk 1979

Randomly sharing my opinion on old movies that I liked once and watched again

Scott Dermody

Jan 04, 2025

The Jerk 1979

Director: Carl Reiner

Writer: Steve Martin, Carl Gottlieb, and Michael Elias

Stars: Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, Catlin Adams, Jackie Mason

Since my last post, I’ve received suggestions for old movies that “hold up” from friends and family. I’m sure one of the suggestions, Pretty in Pink, would be a terrible re-watching experience. Another, When Harry Met Sally, my wife talked me into watching about a year ago. I thought it sucked. Disclosure: I’m not partial to old romantic comedies (or most new ones).

Similar to Navin Johnson, the protagonist in The Jerk, I’ve discovered what my “special purpose” is for. In my case I believe it is to write these reviews. I’ll waste my time watching old movies, and if I can persuade one reader to avoid wasting their valuable hours watching bad old movies, then I’m making a difference in this world.

Growing up, The Jerk was one of my favorite movies. It had been a long time since I’d watched it, and I saw it again a few months ago, hoping it held up to my lofty expectations.

Steve Martin is Navin, a “poor black child” in Mississippi. The Jerk was Steve Martin's first starring role in a feature film. It featured the zany, over-the-top comedy Martin was known for in his stand-up, but his hapless nativity is charming, and I once again found myself rooting for Navin throughout his rags to riches to rags story.

Navin was born a “poor black child.” He left the black family that adopted him to discover the rest of the world- St. Louis. Once there, a series of mishaps occur until a simple invention brings him a fortune- temporarily.

Highlights:

Navin tries to dance to the rhythm of folk songs played by the family
Navin hears a song on the radio in St. Louis that “speaks to him”
Navin dog - “Shithead.”
Navin’s first job as a gas station attendant
M. Emmet Walsh the deranged shooter
Navin’s second job- Carnival weight guesser
Navin discovers what his special purpose is for
The Opti-Grab
Meat juggling
Navin writing checks to pay damages for the Opti-Grab settlement
Rich Navin
Homeless Navin
Navin’s adopted family

Three quotes:

“My dear family, Guess what? Today I found out what my special purpose is for.”
“Well I'm gonna to go then! And I don't need any of this. I don't need this stuff, and I don't need *you*. I don't need anything. Except this.(picks up an ashtray]”
“I don't need this or this. Just this ashtray... And this paddle game.”
“He hates these cans. Stay away from the cans.”
Mother: “Navin, it's your birthday, and it's time you knew. You're not our natural-born child.” Navin R. Johnson: I'm not? “You mean I'm gonna STAY this color?”
My dear family, guess what? Today I found out what my special purpose is for. Gosh, what a great time I had. I wish the whole family could've been here with me. Maybe some other time as I intend to do this a lot. Every chance I get. I think next week I'll be able to send more money as I may have extra work. My friend Patty has promised me a blow job. Your loving son, Navin.
“I'm picking out a Thermos for you. Not an ordinary Thermos for you. But the extra best Thermos that you can buy, with vinyl and stripes and a cup built right in.”

Verdict:

Yes, I still love it. It’s inspirational what a semi-retarded1 white man can do with an optimistic mindset and a little help

Scott’s Random arbitrary rating:

Yes, it holds up. 9.25 out of 10