The Jerk
Per usual, every now and then I pick up a DVD that I haven't seen, regardless of when it was made, and check it out. This weekend, after unpacking all my crap into our new apartment, I picked up my very first Steve Martin film. I was told, when picking the first Steve Martin film, I must choose between two: Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and The Jerk. This last Saturday, I chose The Jerk.
Directed by Carl Reiner, and starring Steve Martin, this 1979 comedy focuses on the life and times of Navin Johnson, a poor man raised in an African-American family. All grown up, he decides that he must seek out the meaning of his life in a big city. He takes leave, and heads toSt. Louis , Missouri
Most of the comedy in this film comes from Steve Martin's line delivery. If you don't care much for his style of humor, or his very specific sort of delivery, there's a good chance that a portion of this film will drag. It seemed to me that the humor was better suited for the younger audiences, those who are just starting to understand the play on words. It also seemed to me that once in about every 10 minutes, there was that one line that really stuck out, really made me laugh. But beyond that, I'm not sure that it has much to stand on.
The film seems to fit into the late 1970s film motif very well. Nothing unusual or overly creative. Just a story, with a man and a woman. And sometimes, that's what we need! To me, this was a somewhat enjoyable film, and gave me something to do that evening. Steve Martin's humor: I can't yet comment as I've only seen this film. Perhaps I'll catch Planes, Trains and Automobiles, so that I might have a better taste of his style.
Why, though, was this film called The Jerk? Martin's character makes mention to being a jerk once, but it didn't seem to me that the entire film must be labeled after one line that wasn't overly powerful. Hmmm, oh well, I guess. It was fun to watch, and good to just throttle back after a string of heavier movies. Of course, Snakes on a Plane wasn't quite a brain buster, but hey, it's still a good break.
Make some popcorn, salt it as much as you can stand, pop this film in, and enjoy. 6.5 of 10.
Directed by Carl Reiner, and starring Steve Martin, this 1979 comedy focuses on the life and times of Navin Johnson, a poor man raised in an African-American family. All grown up, he decides that he must seek out the meaning of his life in a big city. He takes leave, and heads to
Most of the comedy in this film comes from Steve Martin's line delivery. If you don't care much for his style of humor, or his very specific sort of delivery, there's a good chance that a portion of this film will drag. It seemed to me that the humor was better suited for the younger audiences, those who are just starting to understand the play on words. It also seemed to me that once in about every 10 minutes, there was that one line that really stuck out, really made me laugh. But beyond that, I'm not sure that it has much to stand on.
The film seems to fit into the late 1970s film motif very well. Nothing unusual or overly creative. Just a story, with a man and a woman. And sometimes, that's what we need! To me, this was a somewhat enjoyable film, and gave me something to do that evening. Steve Martin's humor: I can't yet comment as I've only seen this film. Perhaps I'll catch Planes, Trains and Automobiles, so that I might have a better taste of his style.
Why, though, was this film called The Jerk? Martin's character makes mention to being a jerk once, but it didn't seem to me that the entire film must be labeled after one line that wasn't overly powerful. Hmmm, oh well, I guess. It was fun to watch, and good to just throttle back after a string of heavier movies. Of course, Snakes on a Plane wasn't quite a brain buster, but hey, it's still a good break.
Make some popcorn, salt it as much as you can stand, pop this film in, and enjoy. 6.5 of 10.
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