The Jerk

Right now you can watch The Jerk in the US on Amazon Prime Video — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. With 913 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Steve Martin is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Put it on tonight on Amazon Prime Video and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, The Jerk is worth clearing space for. The jokes in The Jerk land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. 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. Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1979. The timing in The Jerk is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, The Jerk respects your intelligence. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Steve Martin is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.