Bernie
2011  PG-13  COMEDY-DRAMA  1h 39min
CAST— Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, Shirley MacLaine
MUSIC— Graham Reynolds  DIRECTOR— Richard Linklater  BASED ON— True events

     A remarkable film based on a remarkable true story. The setting: Carthage, Texas. The characters: the populace of said city. The story: assistant funeral director Bernhardt Tiede (or “Bernie” to his friends in Carthage) is the pride of the town. Sure, he’s a bit effeminate and yes, he works on dead bodies but he’s the sweetest guy ever. Just ask any of the widows in town. Especially grumpy old Marjorie Nugent. Despite her horrible attitude she’s attached to Bernie; likewise, he’s devoted to her. But when she becomes possessive and controlling it becomes harder and harder to be her friend. So Bernie kills her and stuffs her body in her freezer. True story. But when the truth finally comes out the community rallies behind Bernie, many saying that Mrs. Nugent deserved every bullet fired into her back. They love Bernie. As events unfold onscreen the audience hears testimony from Carthage residents touting their support and voicing their opinion of this incredible incident. A surprising portrait of a beloved murderer played to the hilt by a wonderful Jack Black, this black comedy is a testament to small town togetherness… no matter the circumstances.
OUR RATING— *** ½