“Oh Steve Martin, why? Why?” I screamed when I saw the first Pink Panther 2 ad. With recent films like Pink Panther, Cheaper By The Dozen (and its sequel) and Bringing Down The House it becomes quite easy to forget that Steve Martin, who has acted in 39 films since 1978, is, um, used to be a comic genius.
And for the young kids today who arent old enough yet to see or even know about his classic films, all they know is the old guy trying to by funny in very unfunny films. Outside his enjoyable performance in last year’s Baby Mama hes given us very little we can truly enjoy and appreciate.
So, to honor a man who I hold in very high regard (yes, still!) and appreciate the good work he has given us over the years, I give you my top ten MUST SEE Steve Martin films in chronological order.
1979 The Jerk. What a powerful beginning, not his first film, but in his first starring role Martin shines as the dimwitted Navin Johnson. I mean for a film that opens with him telling the audience, “I grew up a poor black child,” you know this film is going to be ridiculous. From “exploding” cans, to a dog named Shithead and that amazing speech at the end about what does and doesnt need this is one comedy not to be missed.
1983 The Man With Two Brains. Playing a similarly dimwitted character in an even more absurd film, this time as the unpronounceable Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr, Martin turns in another laugh-out-loud performance. This story of a famous brain surgeon and his beautiful but evil wife, played wonderfully by Kathleen Turner is a strange one for sure but damn hilarious.
1986 – Three Amigos!. Chevy Chase, Martin Short and Steve Martin. What else do need to know? These three play actors who travel to a small Mexican town thinking theyve got a job. Instead they slowly realize that the town is in dire need of help from the characters they portray in films. Too bad they are complete cowards. How many laughs are there in this silly comedy? A plethora!
1987 – Roxanne. This modern day retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac is co-written by Martin and has his signature style of humor written all over it. This one certainly falls more in the cute romantic comedy category but Martin manages to elevate it above the genre.
1987 – Planes, Trains & Automobiles. Along side the late great John Candy and in the hands of the beloved John Hughes, this odd couple road film is pure comic gold. While trying desperately to get home for Thanksgiving, Neal Page (Martin) reluctantly teams up with fellow traveler Del Griffith (Candy) and the come across every obstacle imaginable along the way.
1989 – Parenthood. Oh the wonderful actors that are in this film: Martin (of course!), Dianne Wiest, Mary Steenburgen, Jason Robards, Rick Moranis, Martha Plimpton, Keanu Reeves (in, frankly, one of his best roles), a young Joaquin Phoenix and many others. This tale of family struggle equally makes you laugh and tugs at your heart strings. Its pretty much a prefect film. How many family films have you seen where a vibrator is mistaken for an electric ear cleaner. Seriously, youre doing yourself a disservice if you havent seen it.
1990 – My Blue Heaven. In another odd couple story of a totally different sort Martin plays Vinnie Antonelli, a mobster who has to go into the witness protection program and sticks out like a sore thumb in suburbia. Rick Moranis plays Barney Coopersmith, the square FBI agent assigned to protect him. The building of their friendship in the film is first-rate with laughs that are top-notch. “You could melt all this stuff!”
1991 L.A. Story. While many will site The Jerk as Martins best film without batting an eyelash, I have to honestly say that is my favorite. This bazaar love story that incorporates Shakespeare, a talking freeway billboard and roller skating through a museum is just perfect. Martin, Victoria Tennant and Sarah Jessica Parker are all fantastic in this film.
1994 – Mixed Nuts. While not a classic stand out film many of the others on this list, it makes the cut for being a very quirky still little Christmas story and for working as film in ways it probably shouldnt. Here Martin plays Philip. He runs a crisis hotline along side Rita Wilson. Other people who appear in the film are Adam Sandler, Parker Posey, Madeline Kahn, Juliette Lewis and Liev Schrieber. The cast alone should confuse you, but this silly little film is quite enjoyable if you embrace the oddness of it.
2001 – Novocaine. And while Id like to end on a high note, the high notes ended ten years prior but this film is still good enough to make the list. This dark comedy is a much overlooked Martin film where he plays a straight laced dentist who finds himself a murder suspect with crooks trying to kill him. Now hes on the run, doesnt know who he can trust and only he can clear himself. A totally different kind of film for Martin and it works brilliantly.
Well thats it. Thats not to say these are the only good Steve Martin film, there are others. The Spanish Prisoner, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and even Father of the Bride (first one, not the second one) come to mind as noteworthy films. If you havent seen any of these films I highly recommend any of them. Forget the trash Martin is doing now and remember the great comedian he used to be and hopefully somewhere down the line his comedic star will shine once again.
