Emerald Fennell names “the greatest comedy ever made”
In a short period of time, Emerald Fennell has crafted a professional path for herself as one of the most promising contemporary British film directors. Her directorial debut Promising Young Woman, starring Carey Mulligan in the lead role, was one of the best-received films of 2020 and established Fennell as a serious force of artistry.
Following up with the notorious Saltburn, which has been one of the most-talked-about works of cinema of 2023, rife with provocation and brilliant performances from the likes of Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike and Richard E. Grant, Fennell doubled down on the promise of her debut and delivered a film with genuine narrative prowess.
Like any filmmaker worth their salt, though, Fennell has a deep love for the medium itself and once named her five favourite movies of all time, noting the brilliance of Stanley Kubrick, The Servant, The Innocence and Kind Hearts and Coronets. In terms of comedy movies, though, there is one particular film that stands out for the director.
“The Jerk starring Steve Martin,” Fennell noted, “which is the greatest comedy ever made and the film I quote more than any other film. Also, Steve Martin in the 1970s is my number one forever crush. I’ve watched every YouTube video, every bit of stand-up, so The Jerk is the film that I consistently show to people, knowing that they’re always going to have a good time.”
The 1979 comedy sees Martin feature in his feature debut role. Directed by Carl Reiner, The Jerk focuses on Navin Johnson, an oblivious white man adopted by black sharecroppers in Mississippi. It showcases Martin’s unique comic style, such as quality timing, physical humour and classic one-liners.
Going on to express her passion for the work of Martin, Fennell said, “I think what Steve Martin does, which is still so rare, is a kind of particular brand of silliness, and I think what he does so well, certainly in his own stand-up, is he kind of plays pompous and grandiose whilst also being unbelievably silly and that is just something that I think is so perfect.”
She signed off with a final comment about her favourite comedy movie of all time, noting, “The Jerk, it’s the sort of film that you don’t see anymore, which is that it’s just an out-and-out straightforward comedy with an incredibly demented plot. A lot of people haven’t seen it, and I just want to be the person to make sure that they have.”
Check out the trailer for The Jerk below.
