Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Brilliant and touching

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

After watching the recent Martin & Short net released performance I felt it was time to revisit Martin's first foray into film, The Jerk. At the time The Jerk first dropped Martin was on a roll. The film continued that. A unique piece of celluloid humor whose audience was, shall we say, generous. It is somewhat hard to imagine the time now, but Martin plugged into it. This is a comedy that actually did well in the mainstream at the time and went on to become a bit of cultish type thing. That is to say it doesn't really age well in many ways, but there's Martin at the center. Then and now he makes it a movie to watch. He's completely unique and absolutely irreverent for any time. Watching him is like watching a one-off talent. He put many of his already successful stand-up gags plus delved deeper. The supporting cast was just as edgy with a nice fit. This is one stupid movie making absolutely no apologies. If you in for a cent, you're in for a pound...meaning if in the first ten minutes if you get it then you're going to be watching to the end with those little belly laughs that drop like rain. So, in the end, this many years later this is a film for those with the broadest sense of humor. Those who celebrate crazed stupidity as a form of brilliance. I'd say it was somewhat important as it paved the way for more modern comedies like the Farrrely Brothers later made. Not a film for the masses anymore, if you're a fan of obtuse comedy it definitely warrants another watch.

This movie has some pretty good ideas, but you definitely need to turn off your brain while watching it. The pacing is weird, and the way the plot sets up things is really random, which is not necessarily a bad thing. In "The Jerk" it unfortunately is though. Steve Martin and all the other actors can be so over the top, that it ruins the fun in a scene. I know this is supposed to be a dumb movie, but look at other movies. Naked Gun etc. are much better at executing everything, and the actors aren't unbearable to watch or listen to. It would seem that the makers of this movie had a lot of brilliant ideas, but did not have the talent or time (or both) to put it together. I'm not really a fan of Steve Martin, but I'm not really too familiar with him either. In "The Jerk" he reminds me of Jim Carrey. I am rarely able to watch a Jim Carrey movie because a lot of his roles are so obnoxious, and Steve Martin is too in this movie. You never really get to feel anything for the characters, and you even hate them sometimes because of their poor acting. I can see why people like this movie, but it is not something for me at all.

This maybe Steve Martin's most famous film role. This is one of the best comedies ever filmed. The movie will have you laughing from start to finish. This movie is well worth watching - even if you only watch it once in your lifetime.The movie begins with one of the most memorable opening lines: "I was born a poor black child". If you have seen the movie then you will understand this quote. If have not viewed this film - then I recommend that you do - and you will understand the meaning of this famous film quote.9.5/10

Imagine that Steve Martin, raised by a black family, has to have the family tell him that he is not biologically theirs. Really? How asinine can this become, especially when he has a dog named Stupid who is anything but that.The film picks up with the entry of Bernadette Peters and how the two go from a rags to riches way of life, only to lose it all.There are some funny situations with Jackie Mason and a lunatic who pulls Martin's name out of the phone book at random with the intention to kill him. Some groups who advocate for mentally challenged people may find the film offensive.