The acting is excellent. Otherwise I would not have given any stars to this version of Hollywood's war on white women. Jack Black honestly portrays the main character as gay but his sexuality is almost never mentioned in the movie. This is odd because the movie takes place in a small town in Texas which I assume ( but don't know) is probably pretty conservative. It makes sense to not harass gay men at any rate. But the part where we have to adjust our reality to compensate for crimes they commit is sick. On the other hand, Shirley Macclains' character, rich old white widow, is ripped apart by everyone. In reality it seems that her character had just moved back to her home town a year before her husband's death. She Hadn't been a member of the community for most of her life. They were picking on a grieving widow. Probably Bernie liked her more than the others because she was an outsider and more worldly than the other people in town. We never see her as a grieving widower as someone who has just spent the last year a caretaker of a dying person. Wejust begin to mob her with judgement and take her money from her. If her character were a malethis would never come up of course. It sounds as if her family didn't like her or care about her and that may have been her fault. It may also be that her family is also bad. Apples never fall that far from the tree. The grand kids for example hated her because they were trying to get their inheritance from her before she died.. All we hear is that because she was rich she was expected to pay for all the town's problems. it sounds like she was very generous to Bernie who took advantage of her in every way possible. The real story here ought to show how Stupid mobs of people can e.

This is the worst Jack Black movie I've ever seen. They try to make it funny by depicting Bernie as Mr. Wonderful, intelligent, great salesman, great business man, very compassionate, very generous, helps everybody, great make up artist, great mortician and great everything. Most of the characters are typical of small town ignorance. I am from Texas and none of the people I know are like that. The movie is just plain flat from beginning to end. All the reviews with 3 stars or less are very accurate. Watch it when it goes on Showtime, this way you can change the channel and it won't have cost you anything. The only good thing I can say is that Jack Black is a very good actor. That is proved with this movie. That still doesn't make this movie good. My 10 year old daughter and I felt cheated out of $1.30. We rented it at REDBOX. My daughter now thinks Jack Black is not funny any more and doesn't want me to ever rent any of his movies. I told her that the economy is bad right now and it has affected actors as well. Actors will take any movie just to make money to feed their families. She said she will give Jack Black another opportunity.

With Jack Black as the leading role you are expecting something funny not the BORING BORING BORING joke of a film that this is. Just simply avoid this at all costs and if you do go a head and watch it don't say I didn't tell you not to. So basically this film is based on a "Real life event" with documentary parts with the other people of the town talking about the aftermath about a funeral director who is basically loved by everyone and He loves everyone... and He happens to like widows...A lot. After a long time manages to get in with one who is mega rich and also evil and cruel, After a while He ends up killing the old lady but still spends her money and hides her death from everybody... but how long can he keep it up for?

I get that people from a smaller town in the US may see something in this movie, but that's not being objective, no... That's being blind by your local connection to the movie. Reviewing this movie from an objective perspective, unlike previous reviews, this movie has very little to offer. The story is thin, even based on a real story this movie is uninteresting. Yes, maybe it has a point, but the point is totally meaningless. There is no need to tell this story. One could think that, by this person Bernie being so special, the story could be worth something, but no, it's not. Also, the pathetic character build-up on Bernie, really makes me sick. But wait! Most movies have got something, and in this case it's Jack Black's performance. Jack Black is really excellent as Bernie, and I'd like to credit Jack for that. I find it hard to give it a 4. The genre is Comedy, but my question is; when are you supposed to laugh? This movie is not funny anywhere in it's 104 min runtime. This move is so unfunny, I had a hard time putting up a fake smile. I'm sorry, this movie is everything but a comedy. In the end, I'll give it a 4.

Based on a true story. But for some reason the powers that be chose possibly the most boring pointless and predictable story I have ever subjected myself to in recent times. Hence recommended for insomniacs. IMDb describes as above "In small-town Texas, the local mortician strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, though when he kills her, he goes to great lengths to create the illusion that she's alive." Delete the "goes to great lengths to create the illusion she's still alive" part and that's it. Jack Blacks character is this sweet pillar of community who enjoys befriending local widows. Then he meets Shirley MacLaines character whom is the embodiment of an evil, nasty coffin dodger and for reasons unclear beyond her wealth strikes up an unholy friendship. I make it sound more exciting than it is however. The film has no humour, no drama, no action, no suspense, no romance, nothing. I watched Skyline and found something good I could comment on! That's saying something. Approach with caution and time to spare.

A dark comedy, "Bernie" is a mix of true crime and documentary. It's based on a true story and weaves a tale of a character both sympathetic and guilty, and supporting characters who are stubborn and compassionate. Grab your cowboy hats, belt buckles, and King James Bible because we are off to Carthage, Texas for a story about funerals, murder and homosexuality. Bernie (Jack Black) is an odd sort of fellow. He's a mortician who sends off the deceased from small town Texas to Heaven in style. Little old ladies love him; he goes to church, donates his time and money and is liked by everybody. He's quiet, but sings sweetly, and appears to be happy just being himself. Larger-than-life comedians take note of Black's subdued, character-enlightening and hilarious performance. Bernie meets wealthy widow Marjorie (Shirley MacLaine) and like with all little old ladies, he wants to make sure that she's properly cared for during this tough time. The difference is that this time she's trying to keep distance from his flirtations rather than the other way around. She's not nice, and the other residents are pretty sure there is only word that suitably describes her. She has one son and four grandkids; some of whom have attempted to sue her, and the others have actually sued her. Bernie and Marjorie have a need for each other; money, companionship, and who knows what else. Their relationship is simultaneously unclear and creepy. This is where the plot develops. Bernie is up to something and the townsfolk are either going to stand by their man or paint him as a criminal (or homosexual, because in Carthage, Texas they're pretty much one in the same). Bernie's main adversary is District Attorney Danny Buck (Matthew McConaughey). He's sure that Bernie is gay and he's also sure that Bernie is up to no good and will pay for whatever crime he has committed. McConaughey was extremely funny and was able to play into his Texas background but was completely different from anything he has done before. There's something special about an actor who can follow up the success of "Magic Mike" (2012) with something like this. Linklater has followed this true story to the letter, even using real town residents to introduce us to the character of Bernie. His genius comes through in the writing. The dialogue is unbelievably funny and he uses people's need to laugh rather than their commitment to empathy to get us to connect to this film. Considering how funny and enjoyable the rest of "Bernie" was, the ending seemed out of place. Upon further reflection, it was exactly the kind of jolt back to reality that was needed.

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.

I never thought Id be writing an appreciation of Jack Black as an actor, as he generally appears in limited roles as a boorish loudmouth, but in this dark, often sweet oddball satire, his performance as the titular character is never over the top, always gentle and subtly directing the viewer to a sympathetic portrait of a killer. Really outstanding in this sharp observational film is the sharp ensemble work by everyone in the cast, a huge supporting cast, some actual folks from Carthage, Texas, each giving a positive spin on character, with Matthew McConaughey continuing his string of outstanding portrayals--this film, Magic Mike, and the new Oliver Stone film shows he is much more than the usual goofy sex symbol And although her role is the kind Shirley MacLaine could do in her sleep, she makes wealth and privilege seem absolutely frightening in her chilly portrayal of a spoiled heiress we want to watch. I was also impressed by the end titles, which allow us a glimpse of each actor and the role played. This is 98 minutes of delight, a worthwhile satire combined with the creepy qualities of a true oddball character portrait!

When I decided to watch this movie, I was under the impression it was suppose to be comedy, and while there are some humorous and funny moments, this is more of a drama than anything else. That said, this was a good movie, one that engages and hooks you almost from the very beginning. The fact that this is based on a true story actually helps make this even better, to think someone like "Bernie" really existed just helps draw you into his complex and quirky world. Jack Black is simply amazing in this role, that's a statement I never thought I'd make, but in truth he is suburb and possibly Oscar mention worthy. Here's my take away, this movie is worth your time or money whichever is more important to you. It's a enjoyable journey into a real life odd ball character that simply grows on you from start to end.

The only thing about this movie that I can't fault is the acting. Jack Black plays a convincing character without falling back on his usual comedy staple, and the rest of the cast aren't wooden and fit their respective parts very well. The main issue I have with this film is understanding why it was made. The story isn't particularly interesting, even though it's true. The film feels overly long and drawn, and by the end you're hoping against hope that the pay-off for your time spent enduring the dullness and slow pace is going to be worth it, but it most definitely isn't. You're just left feeling unsatisfied and wondering why whoever decided to make the film felt it worth making, as it was very much not worth watching. The story really didn't need telling further than perhaps a short article in a local newspaper. If it had been beautifully shot, directed, scripted... anything really, it might have done something to dispel the disappointment, but it wasn't. Everything about this film, other than perhaps the acting, is decidedly average and uninspiring, with a storyline and ending to match.