Steve Martin shines in "The Jerk" (1979), a wacky comedy that follows the life of Navin R. Johnson, a simple-minded man raised by black sharecroppers in Mississippi. Unaware of his adoption, Navin's life takes a turn when he discovers his dancing skills groove to a white, upper-class tune rather than the soulful rhythms of his family. This bizarre revelation sparks a journey of self-discovery (of sorts) as Navin sets out for St. Louis, the source of the life-changing music.
Along the way, his innocence and naivety lead him through a series of comical misadventures. From becoming a gas station attendant who pumps water into cars to inventing an absurd contraption to keep eyeglasses from falling off, Navin stumbles through life with a hilarious lack of common sense. Despite his social awkwardness, he attracts the attention of the beautiful heiress, Judith (Bernadette Peters).
Their relationship takes a rollercoaster ride as Navin's buffoonery and obliviousness clash with Judith's sophisticated world. Yet, through a series of unlikely circumstances, Navin bumbles his way into success, becoming a millionaire thanks to a series of accidental inventions. However, wealth doesn't change his underlying personality. The Jerk is a slapstick comedy filled with sight gags, non-sequiturs, and Steve Martin's signature brand of physical humor.
While the plot is episodic, with one outrageous situation leading to another, the heart of the film lies in Navin's genuine confusion about the world and his place in it. "The Jerk" is a laugh-out-loud comedy that lampoons social status, ambition, and the American dream, all wrapped up in the endearingly clueless persona of Navin R. Johnson.
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