Bernie (2011)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Bernie Tiede (Jack Black) is a funeral home director in a small Texas town and everyone loves him. Marjorie (Shirley MacLaine) is the most hated woman in the town but after the death of her husband Bernie befriends her. Soon the old woman drives Bernie to put four bullets into her and now the entire town wants to see justice....for him. The latest from Richard Linklater is based on a true story that gathered some media attention and it's easy to see why the director would be interested in the subject. Of course there's the Texas connection but the story itself is just so strange and bizarre that it's perfectly fit for the director's black humor. This is a pretty unique gem that works on many levels but the majority of its power comes from the performance of Jack Black. Say what you want about some of his role selections, this one here is the role of a lifetime and the actor does a terrific job with it. The rather feminine Bernie is such a unique and lovable character that I was really surprised to see how well Black transformed into the part. There's not a single second where you feel as if you're watching an actor giving a performance. Watching Black makes you think and feel as if you're watching the real person. It was also fun seeing MacLaine back on the big screen. Her role isn't as well written as Black's but I thought she was fun playing bad. Matthew McConaughey plays the prosecuting attorney who is getting more heat in the small town for bringing the beloved Bernie to trial. The actor does a very good job with the part and his comic timing is right on the mark. Linklater presents the film in a documentary like fashion as we constantly have "locals" commenting on the situation as if they were being interviewed. This helps move the film along and really fills us in on everything we need to know while the actors then take over to deliver the meat of the story. BERNIE isn't your typical film but it's certainly a breath of fresh air compared to most of the stuff out there right now.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Bernie Tiede (Jack Black) is a funeral home director in a small Texas town and everyone loves him. Marjorie (Shirley MacLaine) is the most hated woman in the town but after the death of her husband Bernie befriends her. Soon the old woman drives Bernie to put four bullets into her and now the entire town wants to see justice....for him. The latest from Richard Linklater is based on a true story that gathered some media attention and it's easy to see why the director would be interested in the subject. Of course there's the Texas connection but the story itself is just so strange and bizarre that it's perfectly fit for the director's black humor. This is a pretty unique gem that works on many levels but the majority of its power comes from the performance of Jack Black. Say what you want about some of his role selections, this one here is the role of a lifetime and the actor does a terrific job with it. The rather feminine Bernie is such a unique and lovable character that I was really surprised to see how well Black transformed into the part. There's not a single second where you feel as if you're watching an actor giving a performance. Watching Black makes you think and feel as if you're watching the real person. It was also fun seeing MacLaine back on the big screen. Her role isn't as well written as Black's but I thought she was fun playing bad. Matthew McConaughey plays the prosecuting attorney who is getting more heat in the small town for bringing the beloved Bernie to trial. The actor does a very good job with the part and his comic timing is right on the mark. Linklater presents the film in a documentary like fashion as we constantly have "locals" commenting on the situation as if they were being interviewed. This helps move the film along and really fills us in on everything we need to know while the actors then take over to deliver the meat of the story. BERNIE isn't your typical film but it's certainly a breath of fresh air compared to most of the stuff out there right now.