MovieChat Forums > Steve Martin Discussion > What is his best film?

What is his best film?


For me, it is The Jerk (1979).

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Tie between The Jerk and Planes, Trains & Automobiles.

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Planes is great. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is also a contender.

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Ugh. I liked him in Parenthood. I liked The Jerk. I loved Planes, Trains and Automobiles too. I even loved The Three Amigos.

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The Jerk for me too. Very funny movie.

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The one he wasn't in.

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LA Story, lost count of the number of times I've watched it over the years. I don't like his more slapstick performances and hate the remakes of Clifton Webb and Spencer Tracy films.

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I have a great fondness for LA Story. It reminds me so much of that time and really was a love letter to the city. It was a little offbeat and unique, and was better off for it.

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It's too bad he doesn't make many like that anymore. He seems to be doing movies mostly for a paycheck these days. Shopgirl was the last movie he made where I think his heart was really in it.

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Possibly because he wrote the book? I read the book and really liked it then saw the film and didn't love it. I think having Steve Martin in the cast unbalanced the story.
But I watched it again recently and liked it a lot more. One of these days I'll have to reread the book just see if that changes my opinion.

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I liked the book too. Wish he'd still do more stuff like that.

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Agreed that movie is hilarious!

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I don't know if it is his best but I think The Man With Two Brains is his funniest film.

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My two faves of his are The Jerk and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

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Roxanne

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Yeah, "Roxanne" is enchanting! "LA Story" and "Bowfinger" are also just great.

He wrote all three scripts. He really is a terrific screenwriter, IMHO a better writer than an actor.

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Bowfinger doesn't get the love it deserves. I thought it was a really great sendup of Hollywood culture. It didn't get a great reception though, from the audience or critics.

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Mine too. Very sweet, funny movie.

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