The Jerk (1979): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Jerk is a 1979 comedy starring Steve Martin, Dick Anthony Williams and Bernadette Peters. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $73.7 million worldwide. Critics gave it 61 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Jerk About?
The premise of The Jerk without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A naive and sheltered man named Navin Johnson, raised in a family he doesn't remember, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected fortune. Rising from poverty through a series of unusual and often hilarious inventions, he experiences the highs and lows of newfound prosperity. Along the way, he finds romance with a spirited motorcycle rider and encounters dangerous adversaries in a series of increasingly absurd situations. Ultimately, he must confront the question of whether his success is sustainable or a fragile illusion.
The Jerk Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- fish out of water
- eyeglasses
- mississippi
- told in flashback
- cat juggling
- crossed eyes
- african american
- wealth
- breaking the fourth wall
- employer employee relationship
- adopted son
- director cameo
+38 more Show fewer
- man in a bathtub
- woman riding a motorcycle
- leaving home
- motorcycle stunt
- nouveau riche
- 1970s
- racial slur
- voice over narration
- family relationships
- trumpet
- thermos
- singing
- racist
- racial confusion
- phone book
- motel
- mansion
- knife throwing
- hitchhiking
- gas station
- film projector
- dancing
- coming of age
- butler
- stupidity
- riches to rags
- carnival
- inventor
- rags to riches
- sniper
- dog
- disco
- homelessness
- title spoken by character
- surprise ending
- slapstick comedy
- male nudity
- family reunion
The Jerk Cast
Steve Martin leads the cast, with Dick Anthony Williams and Bernadette Peters.
Also Starring in The Jerk
· 6 moreThe Jerk Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Jerk 61 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 61 Metascore
User score 7.0
See on Metacritic
The Jerk Plot Summary
What happens in The Jerk from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 16 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As we embark on the journey of this cinematic narrative, we are introduced to Navin Johnson, portrayed by Steve Martin, a homeless man who has taken refuge in a stairwell in Los Angeles. With a gentle, almost confessional tone, Navin begins to share his life story, pulling us into his world filled with vulnerability and hope.
Full summary
The whole story of The Jerk, scene by scene
The Jerk Box Office
The Jerk grossed $73.7 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$73.7M
- US & Canada
- $73.7M
The Jerk Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 clip and 1 featurette.
- Clip The Gas Station - Full Scene
- Featurette Steve Martin Talks About THE JERK
How Well Do You Know The Jerk?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Navin Johnson's primary mode of living at the beginning of the film?
Cars in The Jerk
36 cars on screen, including the 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo and the 1975 Dodge Dart Swinger.
-
1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Important role -
1975 Dodge Dart Swinger Important role -
1975 Plymouth Fury Important role -
1978 Yamaha YZ 250 Important role
The Jerk Also Known As
28 alternative titles, including “The” and “O Panaca”.
- Also known as
-
- The
- O Panaca
- O Tonto
- Un loco anda suelto
- Reichtum ist keine Schande
- A pacák
- Lo straccione
- Supernollan
- Придурок
- Το Χαζόμουτρο
- Hvem sa' fjols?
- Un vrai schnock
+16 more Show fewer
- השלומיאל
- Szajbus
- Мухльото
- 바보 네이빈
- Недоумок
- O invenție de milioane
- 大笨蛋
- Jobu
- Superhulttio
- Ahmak
- 天国から落ちた男
- El patán
- Cvok
- Neprilagođen
- นาวิน จอมงี่เง่า
- الأَحْمَق
Seen The Jerk?
Movies Like The Jerk
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Jerk Theory, The Jerk, Too and The Jerks.
The Jerk FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Jerk, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Jerk?
The Jerk runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was The Jerk released?
The Jerk was released on December 14, 1979.
Who is in the cast of The Jerk?
The Jerk stars Steve Martin, Dick Anthony Williams and Bernadette Peters, among 10 credited actors.
How much did The Jerk make at the box office?
The Jerk grossed $73.7 million worldwide.
How is The Jerk rated?
The Jerk has 61 on Metacritic.
Does The Jerk have a post-credit scene?
No. The Jerk has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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