Starring: Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey
Having moved from Louisiana, Bernie Tiede (Black) settled
into the small town of Carthadge, Texas and started work as funeral director
and pastor, quickly becoming popular for his professionalism and ‘nice guy’
persona. His likability even extends to the wealthy, mean-spirited widow,
Marjorie Nugent (MacLaine) and she and Bernie become unlikely but very close
companions. However, when Marjorie’s character flaws and possessiveness start
to build on poor Bernie, he begins to reach a crisis point.
Having been released in the US two years before its 2013
release date, Bernie (based on a true story) was something of a minor financial success. Reuniting director Richard Linklater with Jack Black (School Of Rock
(2003)) and Matthew McConaughey (Dazed And Confused (1993)), Bernie may not
have been successful in monetary terms, but as a film it is immensely
rewarding. Stylistically, this film is very reminiscent of the Coen Brothers;
both in its mixture of use of black comedy as well as the parochialism of the
setting. The Texas backdrop calls to mind No Country For Old Men (2007) whilst
the nice, foible-filled and, at times, just odd local characters recalls Fargo
(1996). Whilst the character of Bernie Tiede may not be the kind one would
typically associate with Jack Black necessarily, he does manage to make the
role his own, even having ample opportunity to showcase his singing talents in
hymns and showtunes meanwhile Shirley MacLaine (who had made her big-screen debut
in Hitchcock’s black comedy, The Trouble With Harry (1955)) goes against the
kooky pixie-faced ingénues that made her famous in a very sour role. Funny and surprisingly charming given the
subject matter, this film really deserves more love.
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