The 1981 movie Steve Martin was “vilified” for making: “I was completely lost”

Steve Martin has previously reflected on the backlash he faced for starring in the 1981 musical romance Pennies from Heaven, a bold departure from comedy that he made shortly after becoming a major star. Following the huge success of The Jerk, which recouped its budget 25 times over, Martin chose to pursue a dramatic, non-comedic role rather than build on his comic momentum, a decision he later admitted left him uncertain about his creative direction.

Directed by Herbert Ross, Pennies from Heaven was well-regarded critically and helped convince co-star Christopher Walken of his acting abilities, but it flopped commercially and drew heavy criticism towards Martin himself. Reflecting in 1987, after Roxanne and Planes, Trains and Automobiles had restored his standing, Martin said he had been "vilified" for the film and admitted he was "completely lost" about which direction to take his career. He subsequently returned to comedy with Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid and The Man with Two Brains, both of which he co-wrote, helping to steady his career after the setback.