Rating: 
Summary: An awesome comedy on a weak disc
Review: Let me just start off by saying that this is in my top 10 favorite comidies ever-it's that good! So why is it 4 stars, you ask? Well, like other reviewers, I was shocked by the quality of the dvd. It is grainier than tv broadcasts, which I consider the radio of video. It is also worse than the Laserdisc. And its in full screen (of course, this is a good full screen film). Although this film was shot in full screen by Carl Reiner (it was "matted" for theatrical showing), I would like to see it in widescreen, because I never have (according to someone I know that has, though, this dvd isn't better than theatrical showing, either). Carl Reiner made a great full screen film, thinking the only future was vhs, and I can't blame him. The same problems happen with Kubrick films. The video b;ed more than my vhs, and was sharper than my vhs, but hey, it's supposed to be. The sound was mono, and I'd like to be given the choice of mono or 5.1. It, like the picture, is dated, and needs restorartion. The dvd could have held both 1:33:1 and 1:85:1or 2:35:1 aspects, but it just gives you full screen. I really would like a dvd with mono AND 5.1, full-frame AND widescreen, the 2 deleted scenes that were on the tv version (and I know there has to be more than just 2), a documentary on the making, a retrospective documentary with the living members, such as Steve Martin (Navin), Bernadette Peters (Marie), Catlin Adams (Patty), and Rob Reiner (as himself). There should also be commentary with those mentioned above. There should also be trailers, and production notes, as were on this disc. And those are just some ones that come to mind. Sure, I'll settle, but wouldn't it be neat if a special edition were released? Thank you for taking the time to read my review and God Bless America!
Rating: 
Summary: A chair, a remote and a paddle...that's all he needs
Review: This is the second best Steve Martin movie I've ever seen, the best being Parenthood. Though, overall, this has more humorous scenes.
Martin plays a simple man named Navin Johnson who is easy to please and funny as hell. Great lines of his include "He hates these cans", as others have mentioned, the song "I'm picking out a thermos for you", and if you watch the Superstation, you may have seen the commercial of Steve Martin jumping up and down shouting, "The new phone book is here, the new phone book is here. I'm somebody now." Guess what movie that's from...
This is definitely a film for Martin fans, and for those who just like a good laugh.
Rating:
Summary: "Mister, do not call that dog Lifesaver, call him [poop]head!"
Review: Steve Martin's best comedy ever! I would watch this anytime when it's on cable. There's a funny scene in every part of this movie. "Like it? I LOVE IT!" as Steve is introduced to the bathroom. "He hates these cans! Stay away from the cans!" as a mental sniper trys to shoot him. If your a Steve Martin fan and you haven't seen this. FOR GOD SAKE GET IT!
Rating:
Summary: Why is this very funny movie R-rated? I'll tell you.
Review: First of all, "The Jerk" is the kind of movie that made me laugh as I was lying in bed hours after watching it for the first time. But no doubt, some of you are wondering whether this is one of those guilty pleasures, the kind of dirty mess that you've heard is funny but maybe you should avoid it to protect your heart and your mind. The good news is that it's not that filthy, and there are ways to view this great comedy without sacrificing your moral integrity.
The "s" word runs regularly throughout the movie, but the "f" word never shows up once. There is some sex-related dialogue, including talk of a "b-j", but because Navin is so stupid it all comes off as embarassingly innocent rather than filthy humor, and it's mostly confined to one scene, so you can just press the "skip" button at scene 8 without missing much. Fortunately, although we know what's going between Navin and the woman in her trailer and up in the ferris wheel, nothing is shown. If this movie were released today it would be rated PG-13 for those reasons, but back in 1979 there was no such rating.
"The Jerk" is hilarious, producing belly laughs and memorable lines, and I'm glad I saw it. Here's a couple tips to make your viewing experience less offensive. If you have a TV-Guardian hooked up to your DVD player you can get rid of the bad language. Skipping scene 8 is no great loss, as you will get past the one questionable scene which in my opinion is the least funny part in the whole movie anyway. Besides, this movie is so full of hilarity that even without the objectionable stuff you'll still walk away feeling like you've had a great time.
Rating:
Summary: "The New Phone Book's Here!"
Review: This is just one of the many famous lines from this classic comedy. I believe this was the first rated R movie I ever saw, and when we finally got a VCR in 1983, we rented this again and again and again! When so many "comedies" released don't even bring a chuckle, I hark back to this beauty, which never fails to deliver gut busting laughs. This was "Dumb and Dumber" 15 years before that flick, and rightfully launched Steve Martin into some amazing 80's movies.
Rating:
Summary: A Special Purpose.
Review: "Congratulations! Your our eighth costumer, you win a free oven mit!"
Thanks to the review from my friend and Amazon pal, I have seen The Jerk. The thing I liked most about this movie, was that there were a large amount of chuckles, and maybe ten Hard laugh's. You couldn't ask for more. This is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. The only quibble some may have, is that this only comes in Full-screen. But, since it is not a roaring epic, it doesn't hurt it in the least (But, I still always prefer the O.A.R.). The picture is clear and the sound stays in the center voice channel. I plan on getting The Jerk as soon as I can, and you should atleast try it. "He hates these can's! Keep away from the Can's!"
Rating:
Summary: Classic!!
Review: Unlike his latter roles as a bent-out-of-shape snob (in the "Father of the Bride" movies), Steve Martin scores in his first role as an endearing but clueless outsider. The film unfolds like one-long Seinfeld episode and his on-screen chemistry with co-star Bernadette Peters is dynamite. There's a little bit of everything -physical slap-stick, double entendres, and alot of just plain silliness. "The Jerk" ages very well and sits atop a slew of great SNL-style comedies in the late 70s to early 80s (from "Blues Brothers" to "Caddyshack" to "Ghost Busters" to "Vacation"). It definately ranks as one of the all-time great comedies, but check your serious hat at the door.
Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Steve Martin...when he was funny
Review: I sometimes wonder at which point Steve Martin lost the plot..and his sense of comedy.
He was always at his brilliant best playing naive losers who unwittingly fall for every scam going.
This film is probably his best closely tied with 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels','The Man With Two Brains' and 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels'
There are many times in this film where you will be laughing so hard that the tears will start to stream down your face and you will have to hit the pause button to catch your breath.
The storyline is quite simple - Navan R.Johnston (Martin) is raised by a negro family out in the countryside until one day when poor Navan discovers he is not coloured ! He decides that he does not belong any more and goes to the big city to make his fortune.
The best comedy bits in the movie are when Navan is tricked by a number of dodgy characters who play on his naivety.
This film was directed by Carl Reiner who makes a hilarious cameo appearance in the film.I can't explain any more because to do so would give away too much of the film.
Do yourself a favour and watch this classic.
If you thought 'Parenthood' was hilarious (open to debate), you are going to LOVE this one !
Rating:
Summary: "He hates this cans. Get away from the cans."
Review: Steve Martin in his first major film and this movie was funny then and still is today. Great scenes and lines that make you laugh. A classic comedy to own especially if you are a Steve Martin fan.
Rating:
Summary: You'll Laugh So Hard, You're Ribs Will Ache!
Review: The Jerk is a funny movie, it is a dumb humor type comedy that Steve Martin made back when he made those kind of movies before he started making more tame comedies and the more dramatic artsy stuff, though those movies are good too it's a shame he rarely makes movies like The Jerk that are so funny that it makes your ribs ache from laughing so much, a dumb silly movie like this is the perfect movie to watch when you realize that you are taking things way to seriously and you are sweating the small stuff and just need to chill out and allow yourself to laugh and have a good time! I think this movie needs a widescreen DVD release.
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