Bernie (2012)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Mark H

  
  Bernie is an equal mix of dark comedy and serious drama. On the surface, the script is somewhat uneventful, but taken as a whole it's rather engaging. Having few lines, Shirley MacLaine must rely mostly on facial expressions and body language to portray Marjorie Nugent. This is… More
  Bernie is an equal mix of dark comedy and serious drama. On the surface, the script is somewhat uneventful, but taken as a whole it's rather engaging. Having few lines, Shirley MacLaine must rely mostly on facial expressions and body language to portray Marjorie Nugent. This is Bernie's movie, told from his perspective. Jack Black plays the title character with an effeminately sunny disposition. At first it's a little one-note, but look deeper and you'll find what he does here is brilliantly subtle. He makes the townsfolk's reactions to what ultimately happens, easier to comprehend. The aftermath is rendered darkly humorous. The plot takes an admittedly grave turn, but the script remains slight. Linklater doesn't persuade, only presents. As a result the narrative is lacking in a purposeful point of view, but that's its allure. Indeed it's difficult to tell just how the filmmaker regards his subjects. It's a tribute to his direction that the mood is decidedly more "I'd like to introduce you to these people that really exist" instead of "look at how ridiculous these people are." It's up to the viewer to make a judgment. That's where this modest little film succeeds.

• Glenn G

  
  Richard Linklater, of the seminal DAZED AND CONFUSED, the hilarious SCHOOL OF ROCK, and the great BEFORE SUNRISE/AFTER SUNSET companion pieces, has gone decidedly low-key with his latest film, BERNIE, and it's exhilarating and strange. Based on a true story, Jack Black plays… More
  Richard Linklater, of the seminal DAZED AND CONFUSED, the hilarious SCHOOL OF ROCK, and the great BEFORE SUNRISE/AFTER SUNSET companion pieces, has gone decidedly low-key with his latest film, BERNIE, and it's exhilarating and strange. Based on a true story, Jack Black plays Bernie Tiede, an effeminate Asst. Funeral Director who befriends a rich angry widow (Shirley MacLaine), managing to become her sole heir before killing her. There's not a lot of suspense revolving around what sounds like a murder mystery (he even confesses to the crime), because BERNIE isn't after thrills and chills. This is more a small-town satirical comedy of manners disguised as a quasi-documentary. Think less THE DORIS DUKE STORY and more WAITING FOR GUFFMAN (and yes, this one has musical numbers too). Because let's be honest, this is really the story of a closeted gay man who hides behind his religious convictions to fool an entire town that he's straight and a good guy. He's to Carthage, Texas what Liberace and Richard Simmons were to a couple of generations of blue haired ladies who were complicit in their denial with the celebs. Don't we hear of such people every week on the news, whether they're politicians, priests, or coaches? Hell, Bernie reminded me of a guy I went to High School with who turned to the church, had kids with his wife, all to hide his sexuality...at least that's MY theory! This film uses interviews with the real people of Carthage, and it's simultaneously its greatest strength and weakness. The subjects add such flavor to the film, but a little of it goes a long way. Here, we're left with so many interviews, that it often stops the plot - especially in the first act. Jack Black is so good here, though, that it hardly matters. He nails the dichotomy of selflessness and narcissism. Shirley MacLaine is an excellent foil for him in a too-brief role. Same goes for McConaughey. I would have loved fewer sit-down interviews to allow our main cast a little more time to shine. But this is social satire, albeit treading much lighter than say the great ELECTION, but similar in how it establishes the voice of a town. With that, it's masterful, hilarious, and quite sad. You can't help but feel for a guy who has to hide who he is in order to be liked, because society places so much pressure on him. If only the old ladies of the 60s had opened their eyes and admitted that Liberace was gay, then we might not have had the tragic circumstances surrounding the Bernie Tiedes of the world.

• Sol C

  
  Jack Black's performance is the best reason to see the film. He shines in this role. The film was so so. I thought Richard Linklater did an ok job, but he could have done better. I could have seen Wes Anderson or the Coehn brothers direct the film. He intercuts interviews with… More
  Jack Black's performance is the best reason to see the film. He shines in this role. The film was so so. I thought Richard Linklater did an ok job, but he could have done better. I could have seen Wes Anderson or the Coehn brothers direct the film. He intercuts interviews with the townspeople with scenes in the film. The pacing is off. Also the tone of the film is off. There should have been a little bit more comedy in it. Shirley MacLaine is great in the film. She has a wonderful on screen chemistry with Black. I didn't recognize Matthew McConaughey when he first appeared on screen. He kind of reminded me of actor William Fichtner. I thought Matthew was miscast in the role. I think Fichtner might have done a better job in that role than Matthew. Overall, the film is worth checking out, especially cause of Black and MacLaine's performances.

• Alec B

  
  This is probably Jack Black's finest hour. Its also an entertaining examination of not just a murder or the man who committed it, but how it was perceived in this small town in Texas. As funny as it is, its also slightly disturbing in hindsight to know that Bernie could have very… More
  This is probably Jack Black's finest hour. Its also an entertaining examination of not just a murder or the man who committed it, but how it was perceived in this small town in Texas. As funny as it is, its also slightly disturbing in hindsight to know that Bernie could have very easily gotten away with murder because he was so well liked and his victim was so detested.