Steve Martin's Funniest Role

Steve Martin plays the irrepressible Navin Johnson. He was raised by a black family down south. There is a scene where Navin is singing with his all black family and sadly was the only one who couldn't clap on the beat.

On Navin's birthday, his mom fixed him his favorites, a tuna sandwich, 2 Twinkies and a Tab. Navin goes up to his room and hears some unfamiliar music on the radio. It's some pretty bland music performed by white people. Yet, the music calls to something in Navin's soul and under the blanket his bare toes are bumping together in rhythm to the beat! Excited he wakes his family to see the miracle.

Navin's mom realizes that it's time he learn that he is adopted. Navin is absolutely shocked by the revelation. He has had no idea that he was white, much less adopted! After hearing the startling news, Navin decides to go out and make his way in the world.

His father gives him some words of wisdom to help him along the way. 1) He points out the difference between sh_t and shinola, and also, 2) "Don't trust whitey 3) Another family member advises, "See a doctor and get rid of it." Navin listens carefully and memorizes these sage words.

He sets out on the road. We see him standing outside the house all day waiting for a ride. A motorist picks him up and gives him a ride to the end of the family's fence. Navin's family is sitting down to dinner and they wonder how he's doing. They yell out the window and ask him. He's still standing at the end of the fence! It's silly but Steve Martin is so eager and sincere, you just have to love him.

Navin's hitchhiking brings him to a gas station. The owner offers him a job. Navin is excited about having real employment. He takes the job and gets to live in a little room in the back. Now, he has a job and a place to live. Navin pumps gas and cleans windshields with a happy smile and a good attitude. You can clearly see the pride on Navin's face.

Then comes the day, Navin had been waiting for. I laugh every time I think of this. The new phone books are finally delivered. Navin dances around holding a phone book yelling, "The new phone books are here! The new phone books are here!" The station owner comes over and Navin proudly opens the phone book to show him that his name and address are listed in an official phone book, for the first time ever! He is finally somebody.

Later that day, a disgruntled man with a rifle opens one of the new phone books at random seeking a victim. His finger lands on the name of Navin Johnson, and there is his address right beside it.

At the station, Navin is going about his duties. As he walks past a stack of oil cans they begin to sprout leaks. "These cans are defective," he says, not understanding that someone is shooting at him.

Navin decides to move on. Before leaving the safe haven of the gas station, Navin has an idea for a device to keep eyeglasses from sliding down a person's oily nose, he selflessly shares this information with a stranger. Little does he know that this act of kindness will ultimately make him a wealthy man.

I love the interaction between Navin and the dog. A scruffy animal barks in alarm outside his hotel door until he wakes up and alerts the entire building that a disaster is going on. He stands there petting the dog in front of a group of confused people wearing their robes and pajamas. He tells the dog that he's going to name him Lifesaver. When everyone realizes that there is no fire or other disaster, a man in the crowd has an incredibly vulgar name to suggest he call the dog, who apparently just likes to bark. I'm trying not to give this away, rent the movie, it's a howl.

Navin encounters perils like the circus where he becomes the passive partner in a sexual relationship with a rough motorcycle queen. Innocent as the day is long, he faithfully writes about this in letters to his family back home, also sending money as best he can. These letters are read aloud on the back porch with the entire family in attendance.

Navin's life has incredible ups and downs. He finds the love of Bernadette Peters after his trials with the motorcycle queen. He goes from being a poor black child to being a rich white man. Then he goes back to poverty, still looking on the bright side.

This movie is very silly but there are morals in this story. No matter what happens, life goes on and you just have to laugh at it. With a strong, loving family behind you, you can accomplish anything. Take pride in your job no matter how small it may seem to others. Savor the small joys that life has to offer, even if it's just a new phone book.