 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Jerk
- Review Date: July 15, 2008
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 1979
Common Sense Media says
Steve Martin is a genius of silly in '70s hit.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that while, on the surface, this movie has its share of dirty jokes and swear words, this R-rated movie is actually disarmingly sweet with oodles of heart amidst the indecorum. The largest stumbling block for young viewers is the use of the "N"-word -- although in its context (Martin's character self-identifies as one and expresses outrage at racial discrimination), the purpose is one of racial harmony and mutual acceptance. Less complex R-rated content includes guns, cursing, and non-graphic sexual situations.
What's the story?
He was born a poor black child … goes the ridiculous and oft-quoted premise of this cockamamie, loveable cult comedy. But Steve Martin's Navin is no jerk; he's simply very very stupid. And so it takes him time to realize that he's different from his black sharecropper family. Although his mother tells him that she would love him if he were "the color of a baboon's ass," Navin feels he has to find himself and follow the beat of a different drummer. He gets a job working for a kind but coarse gas station owner (Jackie Mason) and engages in various low-I.Q. mishaps. After a madman randomly decides to shoot him, Navin flees and joins the circus where he gets a sexual initiation from a tough-as-nails dominatrix motorcyclist (Catlin Adams) and then meets and falls head-over-heels for Bernadette Peters' fetching ingenue. But although the two are obviously made for each other, it's Navin's financial, not mental, shortcomings that prove to be the stumbling block in this rags-to-riches-to-rags story.
Is it any good?
Movies like Dumb and Dumber present stupidity masquerading as comedy and movies like Forrest Gump beat you over the head with the equation that witlessness is close to virtuousness. THE JERK stands out as a gem of buffoonery that neither strives towards moralizing nor stoops to obnoxiousness. With slapsticky lowbrow so often accompanying mean-spiritedness and vulgarity, here's a movie that combines genuine kindness with ludicrous low comedy.
While the comedy is broad and daffy, the characterizations are surprisingly authentic. Steve Martin is perfect as a witless fool who is open to all experiences. There's a touching relationship between Navin and his parents, especially his mother (Mabel King) who is warm and loving but not blind to his short-comings. The racial comedy is funny and fresh, even while it traffics in old stereotypes; After 30 years, there's very little in the movie that feels dated. While the middle of the film is somewhat weaker, the love story soon reinvigorates it. Bernadette Peters is terrific as a quirky, Mary Pickford-type sweetheart. And it makes perfect sense that the two get together, even though she is no ninny herself. When the couple becomes rich, their stab at lavish living is delightfully over the top (like when he tells a waiter "No more 1966. Let's splurge. Bring us some fresh wine."). Silly and also gracious, The Jerk, masterfully directed by Carl Reiner, is enduring farce.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about racial stereotypes and cultural identity. Unlike his black family, Navin can't keep a beat and prefers big band music and Twinkies. Why does Navin feel out of place among his black family members? Why does his father tell him to "never trust whitey"? Another conversation can be had about the false equation that money can buy happiness. Why did Marie initially leave Navin when he was poor? Were Navin and Marie happier before they became rich?
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Kid, 12 years old
August 2, 2009
AGE
All age appropriate
Would've been rated PG-13 if they had it.
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Kid, 11 years old
March 6, 2011
AGE
Would be PG-13 if it were re rated
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AGE
Funny movie more suitable for teens and adults!
Funny movie! That's all I have to say. Oh and watch out for what I put down as my concerns. Ten year olds can watch it if they are with and adult. Well, anyways, fans of Steve Martin will love this!
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AGE
I've seen worse PG-13!
This was my first R-rated film, and I couldn't think of a better one! The sexual content is a tad iffy, but you only see people in bed (or the trailer rocking) Language is bad, with three N-words and the angry killer who says the F word, s**t, and b*st*rd. And Navin's dog "S**thead". Violence is limited to the killer and (what many find funny, including me) juggling kittens! The only drugs is a thug smokes a joint. My rating PG-13: Brief Strong Language, Sexual Content, Mild Comic Violence and brief Drug Use
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AGE
Crude 70's comedy classic showcases a young Steve Martins talents
Carl Reiners infamous 1979 box office smash, The Jerk, was actually the first movie to star comedian Steve Martin in a starring role. The Jerk is one of the more memorable comedies of the 1970's, but it is one that is horribly dated, with still very funny, but nonetheless old fashioned humor poking fun at the southern african american lifestyle, with plenty of stereotyping, and with one fairly famous, but still funy twist: Navin (Steve Martin), has been living with his loving black family, and on his 30th birthday, he finally finds out the truth: He is white. Yes. He discovers this within the first ten minutes. but, once he discovers this, he vows to branch out into the world and make a name for himself, while meeting a long string of strangers and odd people, until finally meeting the love of his life, but, when success goes to his head, he must find a way to get out. Sounds long, yes? Well, the movie is only 93 minutes long, so it is rather rushed. But, despite the fact that the movie is obviously very dated and overly crude by today's standards, The Jerk still works well enough on the audience, especially with Steve Martins ingenious performance, which emits laughter pretty much constantly throughout the whole movie, acting as a complete moron, but a goodhearted and well-meaning moron, at that. Now, despite the fact that the movie was made in 1979, and that the R Rating is slightly inaccurate by today's standards, it still isn't really very appropriate for younger children: There is frequent crude humor, occasionally involving both violence and sex, with numerous graphic implied sex scenes, and a scene where a crazed sniper angrily attempts to kill Navin, but is quickly foiled. Also, there is heavy, comical drinking throughout the movie, but, it is often to the point of excess. Also, there is frequent, but average profanity, including several uses each os sh-t, g-dd-mn, a--h-le, d-mn, h-ll, a--, crap and n-gg-r. Carl Reiner's comedy classic, The Jerk, still manages to make you laugh, all of these long years later, but it is occasionally because of the film's large amount of racist humor and crudeness.
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Carl Reiner |
| Cast: | Bernadette Peters, Jackie Mason, Steve Martin |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 94 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 14, 1979 |
| DVD release date: | July 26, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
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