Review of The Jerk (1979) by Jim H — 05 Apr 2011

An idiot sets out to find his place in the larger world, encountering colorful characters on his way.

I saw an interview with Steve Martin, and he said, "I was watching comedians at that time [the early 70s], and everybody was just angry. And I thought to myself, 'There is no way this is going to last, so I'm just going to be silly.'" The problem I have with Martin's reasoning, and by extension, The Jerk is this: I like those "angry" comedians because what they said wasn't just free-flowing hostility. In many cases, like George Carlin and Lenny Bruce, they had complex and astute social criticisms. Their comedy challenged social conventions and exposed folly in ways that only the glass of satire and the barbs of a well-constructed joke can. So, when Martin's character runs awkwardly or covers his balls up with a live dog, I find very little to engage with. In the end, I simply find The Jerk unfunny.

Now, I must admit a chuckle or two during Navin and Marie's first date, and his awkward request, "Next time you make love with your boyfriend, could you think of me?" actually produced a slight guffaw. But overall, I didn't find much to laugh about.

And why does Marie leave him? Such an important plot point should be given some explanation.

Overall, The Jerk is simply not my style.