ironhorse_iv Review of Bernie

Bernie (2011)

The Real Life Weekend at Bernie's—Jack Black's best film so far.

[7/10 · 2 March 2013]

If you didn't like this Richard Linklater movie, you might be a stiff in a cooler. This was definitely Jack Black's best performance to date. I was skeptical of the film due to Black being in it, and it having the same director of 'School of Rock', but he has grown so much as an actor and Director Richard Linklater surprise me with this film. I actually thought of him as an abomination to the art of acting, a few years back. Jack Black is Bernie Tiede, a WWE Paul Bearer look-a like, local assistant mortician whom is a beloved member of the community of Carthage, TX. Not only does he help everybody in the town with anything they need, he was willing to be friends with one of the coldest people in Carthage. The wealthy, recently widowed Marjorie Nugent (Shirley McLaine) whom is pretty much the local Grinch. Bernie and Marjorie was quickly became inseparable, frequently traveling around the world and allow Bernie to use her millions, only if Bernie's social life be more and more spent with her. Soon, the over-demanding attention by Mrs. Nugent became abusive with persistent nagging, put downs, and her possessiveness for Bernie, that Bernie lost control of himself, and shot the elderly Marjorie in the back. It's no spoiler that Bernie kills the woman. That's just a plot point that builds on the real story of him how he was going to hide the fact that she is dead from the town folks, her lawyers, her money grabbing family and local district attorney, Danny Buck Davidson (Matthew McConaughey) whom wants to charges Tiede with first-degree (premeditated) murder. The film is based on a 1998 Texas Monthly magazine, "Midnight in the Garden of East Texas," that chronicles the 1996 murder. Tiede proved so highly regarded in Carthage that, in spite of having confessed to the police, the District Attorney was eventually forced to request a rare prosecutorial change of venue in order to secure a fair trial. Bernie was hysterical - charming - and brilliant film. The quirky humor is blend so well with the drama—it can be call a comic tabloid docudrama. The music of the film is great, 'Love Lifted Me" by Florida Boys is catchy, and Jack Black is singing a gospel songs and musicals numbers is a treat. I like that it's not another regular stupid comedy with Jack Black and I love that it seems like they actually put him to good use rather than give the public another reason to hate an actor like Jack Black. I don't know his performance as the real guy is spot on, but Jack Black visited Beeville, Texas and interviewed the real Bernie to help get into character, but Black is wondering as him. He can both challenge, the charm of Bernie and why he can be view a bit of a devil in angel's clothing. I have tons of respect for Jack Black for doing his research for this character. Shirley Maclaine was brilliant as her performance as a mean old bitty was priceless. Her scene with her slowly chewing her food was creepy as hell. Matthew McConaughey was fun to watch, as the man trying to seek justice for Marjorine when everybody in Carthage wanted Bernie to walk. It is no joke or hyperbole that he would have walked if the trial was held in Panola County. Ms Nugent was universally hated. Everyone in that town, felt she drove him to it. The movie had this great half documentary, half narrative to it; that was made better with the feedbacks of the town people talking about the crime. Most of the interviews were done by actual townspeople with a few actors playing roles due to the key-players in the trial. I like the guy explaining the uniqueness of East Texas compared to the rest of Texas. The faults of the film goes like this. This movie is not historically accurate as it does not tell Marjorine side of the story. It's a bit one-sided for the audience to take the side of Bernie. Honestly, he should just left but he couldn't because of all the wealth she gave him. He's a kind person but when it comes to money—everybody is a slave. Plus if the victim being a mean old lady doesn't justify a murder at all. The movie gave this sad and tragic feel. It's tragic because of what happens to the old lady and, even more tragic, the biggest mistake of a really good man's life. This was marketed as a comedy, sort of a Coen Brothers knock-off, but it largely isn't meant to be funny. It's up to question if Bernie a good man who snapped in a fit of temporary insanity, or is he a con man who was stealing Marjorie's money and killed her when she threatened to expose him? Was he going to give Marjorie a proper funeral, or was he waiting until he used up the money and then dispose of the body so that no one would find it? The movie doesn't answer that, but it brings those questions into a wider audience attention. Worth watching, so check it out for yourself.