25/36
In a small Texas town, a polite funeral home owner befriends a wealthy widow, but when she starts to take over, he does everything he can to free himself from her influence. The film features real-life Carthage, Texas residents who knew the real Bernie Tiede and Marjorie Nugent as commentators. Bernie committed a murder in 1996, but almost immediately after the murder, he takes back his iPhone. Townsman: [speaking of Marjorie Nugent] She’d kick your ass in a heartbeat. I mean, she’d rip your new three-bedroom, two-bathroom, wide-ass house apart. No problem.. Before the main credits, photos of the real Bernie and Marjorie are shown, as well as a short video of Bernie Tiede talking to Jack Black.. According to the film’s technical specifications, there are two versions of this film: one is 1 hour 39 minutes long (99 minutes), and the second is 1 hour 44 minutes long. (104 min.) (USA).. Appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Jack Black/New York City’s Meatball Shop Guys/Beirut (2012). Love Lifted MeWritten by James Rowe and Howard E. Smith. Performed by The Florida Boys Courtesy of World Entertainment. Released by Warner Music Group Film and Television Licensing. "Bernie" is a pleasant surprise from Richard Linklater and Jack Black, the same team that made the 2003 comedy hit School of Rock; now they’ve teamed up for a different kind of comedy: dark. Black plays differently in this film—more reserved, more focused, and at times more intense than in any film he’s appeared in before. His humor here is muted and unphysical—a feat achieved by his engaging performance. Here’s a guy everyone loves—who everyone should love and who can never say no. It’s both an interesting and challenging role for him, but he pulls it off well – perhaps paving the way for more complex and dramatic roles in the future. Compared to other comedic actors who have tried their hand at more serious roles, he’s not quite as great as, say, Jim Carrey in The Truman Show or Adam Sandler in Punch-Drunk Love – but she’s on the right track. Shirley MacLaine is also very different here – she’s been a sweet, slightly cheeky character in most of her recent films, but in this film there’s a cold, condescending aura around her, and her steely eyes sell it. Matthew McConaughey has definitely improved his performance as the ruthless district attorney – just look at the courtroom scenes. I really appreciate the small-town setting of the film. The film is told through “interviews” with friendly small-town residents, giving the film a strange and cozy feel, and Linklater seamlessly weaves narrative flashbacks – which brings me to the editing. The film moves at a brisk pace and never feels rushed or drawn out. The above-average script has enough screen time to develop the story and characters, especially Bernie. Just when you think the film is coming to an end – something interesting always happens to keep the audience in suspense. Black and Linklater make a good, promising actor-director duo. Maybe Linklater will be the key to discovering Black’s acting potential. Of course, it’s still a “small” film – low budget and almost no advertising… so I hope word gets out about how good this dark comedy is. P.S. I didn’t know the film was based on a true story. That made the film even darker and weirder than it was intended to be. Overall rating: 77 percent.