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.
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's central focus is on the comedic journey of an extremely naive individual navigating life and the pursuit of happiness, rather than promoting or critiquing specific political ideologies. Its satire of consumerism and the American Dream is balanced by themes of individual initiative and finding contentment in personal relationships, leading to a neutral political stance.
The film features primarily traditional casting, with the lead and most prominent roles filled by white actors. Its narrative is a comedic exploration of the protagonist's journey, which does not include critical portrayals of traditional identities or explicit DEI themes.
The film portrays Navin's adoptive Christian family with warmth and respect. Their faith is depicted as a genuine source of love, community, and moral strength, providing a stable and loving home for Navin despite his naivete. The narrative aligns with the dignity of their faith, presenting it as a positive influence.
The film "The Jerk" does not feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes. Its plot centers exclusively on heterosexual relationships and comedic situations, resulting in no portrayal of queer identity to evaluate.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The Jerk (1979) is an original film featuring characters created specifically for this production. There is no prior source material, historical figures, or previous installments from which characters' genders could have been altered.
The Jerk is an original film from 1979, not an adaptation of prior source material or a biopic. All characters were created for this production, meaning there is no pre-existing canonical or historical racial identity to be altered.
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