The Jerk
Performance & Direction: The Jerk Review
Last updated: January 25, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Jerk (1979) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Jerk features a noteworthy lineup led by Steve Martin . Supported by the likes of Bernadette Peters and Catlin Adams , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Jerk (1979) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Jerk
Quick Plot Summary: The Jerk is a Comedy film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. 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. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: The Jerk
Ending Breakdown: The Jerk concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Jerk reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Jerk?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Jerk
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $4.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $100.0M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Jerk Budget
The estimated production budget for The Jerk is $4.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Jerk
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Jerk Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoThe Jerk Parents Guide & Age Rating
1979 AdvisoryWondering about The Jerk age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Jerk is 94 minutes (1h 34m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.9/10, and global performance metrics, The Jerk is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1979 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Jerk worth watching?
The Jerk is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.9/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Jerk parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Jerk identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Jerk?
The total duration of The Jerk is 94 minutes, which is approximately 1h 34m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Jerk
How The Jerk Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Jerk
***Steve Martin’s breakout comedy*** A homeless mentally-challenged man (Steve Martin) shares his amusing tale of rags-to-riches-to-hobo with flashbacks. Catlin Adams plays a stunt rider at a carnival who has the hots for Navin (Martin) while Bernadette Peters plays a more important woman in his life. “The Jerk” (1979) has several laugh-out-loud scenes like the eventual confrontation between Patty (Catlin) and Marie (Peters), but there are also some flat, overlong parts, like when Navin departs the mansion in the last act. “Forrest Gump” (1994) was obviously inspired by “The Jerk” and made a more serious, popular picture. Jim Carrey also took a lot of inspiration from Martin and “The Jerk” to forge the even funnier “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” (1994). The movie runs 1 hour, 34 minutes and was shot in the Los Angeles area. GRADE: B
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
More with Steve Martin
Part of the The Jerk Collection
Explore the full watch order, ratings, and collection details.
View Full Franchise