Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5
For me, the way The Jerk (1979) fits into the "stupid comedy" universe is like the pre-production and filming of Casablanca. No one thought it would be anything special, just another profit-minded Hollywood movie, but somehow everything came together perfectly and made a truly historic film. The Jerk may not be the masterpiece that Casablanca is, but within its own genre it is something significant.
"I was born a poor black child," reminisces Steve Martin, starring as the hapless Navin Johnson. The movie milks this premise for a few laughs, but not too many. Navin was left on the doorstep of a black Mississippi family, who raised him as their own. His age is unspecified (although his hair seems to turn gray before our eyes), but he is eventually told of his adoption. Upon finding his sense of rhythm shortly after, he is inspired to leave home and head out into the world. In spite of his own folly, he has many successful and amusing endeavors. He becomes a gas station attendant, a carnie (he'll guess "your age, your weight, or your sex"), and eventually a millionaire inventor. Along the way, he builds an unexpectedly charming romance with a sweet damsel named Marie (singer/actress Bernadette Peters).
It can't be denied, the film is mostly a Steve Martin audition tape. Its greatest achievement is cementing him as one of our most talented comics, as both an actor and a writer. And, as usual, he is great. His comedic timing is impeccable, and he creates a character that we can laugh at, but simultaneously be laughing with. Compared to the average comedy movie, it is a very consistent and believable performance. That is not to say, however, that Ms. Peters isn't wonderful herself. It is a character that would be slighted in another movie, but here is allowed to expand to fill her own potential.
The Jerk isn't a film that can be enjoyed if you feel the need to analyze the comedy behind each joke. You'll miss the laugh. Most of the jokes have no rhyme or reason, they serve no purpose other than to be a testament to Navin's naivety. It's all physical comedy and verbal gags. But that's perfectly okay when done right, as it is here. Sure, there are smarter comedies, but they won't make you laugh as much. Sometimes something is funny just because it's funny.
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