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Poster for The Jerk

The Jerk

Seen it?

1979 | 94 min | Comedy

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

It earned strong reviews (83% on Rotten Tomatoes), it made about 25 times its budget and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who wants a laugh.
The mood
Light and funny.
The pace
Breezy, at 1 hr 34 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: meant for adults.
  • Made in 1979: an older pace and style.

After discovering he's not really black like the rest of his family, likable dimwit Navin Johnson sets off on a hilarious misadventure that takes him from rags to riches and back again. The slaphappy jerk strikes it rich, but life in the fast lane isn't all it's cracked up to be and, in the end, all that really matters to Johnson is his true love.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.9 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerStrong

    $100 million worldwide on a $4 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 177K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Carl Reiner

  • Steve MartinNavin R. Johnson
  • Bernadette PetersMarie Kimble Johnson
  • Catlin AdamsPatty Bernstein
  • Mabel KingMother
  • Richard WardFather
  • Carl GottliebIron Balls McGinty
  • Dick Anthony WilliamsTaj
  • Bill MacyStan Fox
  • M. Emmet WalshMadman
  • Dick O'NeillFrosty