Comedy
United States of America
The Jerk is a 1979 American comedy film directed by Carl Reiner and starring Steve Martin in his film debut. It tells the story of Navin R. Johnson, an adopted white man who was raised by a poor black family in Mississippi. When Navin discovers that he is not actually black, he sets out to find his true identity and make a life for himself.
Navin's journey takes him to St. Louis, where he lands a job at a gas station and falls in love with a girl named Marie. He soon becomes rich overnight after inventing a new product called the "Opti-grab" that's supposed to help glasses stay on the wearer's nose. Unfortunately, he soon realizes that his wealth attracts all sorts of unwanted attention, including a crazed killer who's after him.
As Navin's fortunes rise and fall, he realizes that he doesn't need money to be happy, and that the love of his life is worth more than all the riches in the world. Along the way, he meets a cast of colorful characters, including a man who hates his own name, a motorcycle gang, and a carnival worker who becomes his best friend.
The Jerk is known for its offbeat humor and ridiculous plot, as well as Steve Martin's unique brand of physical comedy and deadpan delivery. It has become a cult classic and spawned many catchphrases, including "He hates these cans!", "The new phone book's here!", and "I was born a poor black child."
