Bernie (2011)

Comedy, Crime, Drama

Director: Richard Linklater
Writers: Skip Hollandsworth, Richard Linklater
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Brady Coleman

"A story so unbelievable it must be true."

This little Southern gem centers around the title character played by Jack Black, a chubby undertaker from the rural Texas town of Carthage, who takes pride in his job, an all-around do-gooder who is loved by everyone. He befriends Marjorie Nugent, an old millionaire widow with an extremely sour attitude, and the two develop very close relationship that everyone admires. But only until one day, when good ol' Bernie commits an unexpected deed that sets forth a series of events that shocks the entire community.

Inspired by the true story of Bernhardt "Bernie" Tiede and adapted for the screen by director Richard Linklater, the film is made in a semi-documentary style, with great folksy local commentary via fake interviews scattered throughout a more traditionally filmed narrative.

There are great supporting performances, like that of Matthew McConnaughey as the district attorney, or veteran Shirley Maclaine, as Bernie's unlikely love interest, but the movie truly belongs to Jack Black, whose unexpected non-comedic performance in the title role earned him much critical praise.

Plot summary from IMDb: We meet Bernie Tiede (1958- ), a chubby undertaker, who takes pride in his work. He's a Gospel-singing tenor. In a series of interviews with townspeople, mixed with flashbacks, we follow Bernie: he arrives in Carthage, Texas (pop. 7,000), where old ladies adore him; he befriends a wealthy, mean-spirited widow named Marjorie Nugent; they become companions in both daily routines and expensive vacations. Among those interviewed, only her stockbroker and Danny Buck, the local district attorney, are unsympathetic toward the sunny, sometimes saccharine Bernie. Marjorie changes from sour and alone to happy with Bernie; then she gets possessive. What will sweet Bernie do?

Awards: Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 10 wins & 14 nominations.
Runtime: 104 min
PG-13