Film

The Jerk 1979

Directed by Carl Reiner

  • Comedy
  • 94 min
  • R

A rags to riches to rags story.

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.

Comedyblowneominstrelsyphone booksharecroppertennis court

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Character

Comic, effortless, resolved and warm.

  • gravecomic
  • effortlessdemanding
  • resolvedopen-ended
  • warmbleak
  • sparerichly built

Who loves it, who doesn't

The Prestige HunterThe Prestige Hunter: loved by 33The ArchivistThe Archivist: loved by 22The Comfort SeekerThe Comfort Seeker: loved by 22The IronistThe Ironist: loved by 11The CartographerThe Cartographer: loved by 11The ProvocateurThe Provocateur: disliked by 10 / 1The SincereThe Sincere: disliked by 10 / 1The OmnivoreThe Omnivore: disliked by 10 / 1loved (4★+)disliked (2.5★ or less)

27 profiled raters. Loved most by The Prestige Hunters; disliked most by The Provocateurs.

Where do you stand?

Answer first; then see how everyone, and your circle, split.

  • “Is this Carl Reiner's best work?”

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  • “Has The Jerk aged badly?”

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