Bernie (2012)
Average Rating: 7.6/10
Reviews Counted: 144
Fresh: 130 | Rotten: 14
Richard Linklater's Bernie is a gently told and unexpectedly amusing true-crime comedy that benefits from an impressive performance by Jack Black.
Average Rating: 7.8/10
Critic Reviews: 39
Fresh: 36 | Rotten: 3
Richard Linklater's Bernie is a gently told and unexpectedly amusing true-crime comedy that benefits from an impressive performance by Jack Black.
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Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 33,892
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Movie Info
In the tiny, rural town of Carthage, TX, assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede was one of the town's most beloved residents. He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie, so it came as no surprise when he befriended Marjorie Nugent, an affluent widow who was as well known for her sour attitude as her fortune. Bernie frequently traveled with Marjorie and even managed her banking affairs. Marjorie quickly
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Cast
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Jack Black
Bernie Tiede -
Shirley MacLaine
Marjorie Nugent -
Matthew McConaughey
Danny Buck, Danny Buck ... -
Brady Coleman
Scrappy Holmes -
Richard Robichaux
Lloyd Hornbuckle, Lloyd... -
Rick Dial
Don Leggett -
Brandon Smith (I)
Sheriff Huckabee -
Larry Jack Dotson
Rev. Woodard, Reverend ... -
Merrille McCommas
Molly -
Mathew Greer
Carl -
Richard Jones
Professor Fleming -
Charles Bailey
Friend of Deceased -
Suzi McLaughlin
Mrs. Pebworth -
Grant James
Mr. Eckles, Mr. Estes -
Julie Erickson
Mrs. Eckles -
J.D. Young
Dwayne Nugent -
Charlie Stewart
Dwayne Jr. -
Joe Stevens
Lewie -
Raquel Gavia
Esmerelda -
Amparo Garcia-Crow
Churchgoer -
Toby Metcalf
Oil Worker -
Doug Moreland
Chainsaw Artist -
Edward Ji
Pianist -
Jill Blackwood
Guys & Dolls Performer -
David Blackwell
Mel -
Gabriel Luna
Kevin -
Deana Newcomb
Photographer -
David Steakley
Assistant Director -
Peter Harrell Jr.
Bank Manager -
Joe Reynolds
Deputy Sheriff -
Christian Stokes
Truck Driver -
John Hornbuckle
Generator Operator -
Wray Crawford
Sheriff's Deputy #2 -
Margaret Ann Hoard
Cafe Waitress -
Charles Allen Eskew
IRS Man -
Quita Culpepper
TV Reporter -
Mona Lee Fultz
Cashier -
Jerry Biggs
Judge -
Robert Works
Lead Juror -
Gary Teague
Neighborhood Onlooker -
-
Tommy G. Kendrick
Larry Brumley
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Bernie Trailer & Photos
All Critics (144) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (131) | Rotten (14) | DVD (2)
"Bernie' isn't a monumental film, but it is a finely tuned character study with some nice innovations.
Top CriticThe question of why the law must always be upheld, regardless of consequences, gives this light, amiable movie a surprising heft and weight.
Bernie has chuckles, but it's hardly riotous. And this is a good thing.
Propelled by a perfectly cast trio of stars whose eccentricities shine in singular character roles, Bernie is charmer.
"Bernie" unfolds into many equally rich narrative strands: love story, southern Gothic slice-of-life and, finally tragedy and legal thriller...
Linklater's a glider, not a pile-driver; he hangs back when other directors prefer to bore in.
It looks like a southern gothic and feels like a particularly hilarious farce, but Bernie is not at all what you think.
Black is a marvel as Bernie, reining in his usual manic persona to give his prissy, camp character an endearing sweetness but leaving what really makes him tick a puzzle.
An extremely amusing, socially accurate docudrama.
Richard Linklater mixes comedy, drama and documentary to tell a frankly outrageous true story, and in the process he also gives Jack Black one of his best-yet roles.
It's been a long time coming, but it turns out Bernie has been worth the wait.
Based on a true story, Black offers a surprising degree of depth as an assistant funeral director with secrets in a town where 'all of the widows had a crush on Bernie'.
Linklater observes it all with an ironic smile on his face. But he's never patronising enough to sneer.
I didn't find it very entertaining, but it is at least trying something different.
Really impressive.
Almost vaudeville in spirit, it delights in American social clichés and kinks.
This is a bizarre and intriguing tale but Bernie remains essentially unknowable and the picture lacks big laughs.
Far more fine shades and ambiguities than expected.
Hugely entertaining, smartly directed and darkly funny black comedy with a superb script and a terrific central performance from Jack Black.
A sweet, dark, funny true-crime story with a dream cast - and that includes the real-life residents of the town of Carthage, Texas.
There's not many movies that leave you wanting to give a convicted killer a great big hug. But this is one.
Linklater's Fargo, it's funny peculiar and funny ha ha, with Black a delight and Linklater in impressive control of superbly judged content and tone.
You may be amused, but the laughter like the man, rings hollow.
It's so lovely to see Jack Black being this kind of actor. I hope he does it more often.
Black curbs his most irritating tendencies to give an endearing and convincing performance. An affectionate, intelligent ode to the oddity of small-town America.
A beautifully constructed, smartly scripted and very funny tall tale of down-home values and darkness in the most unlikely of places.
Audience Reviews for Bernie
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
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- Neighborhood Onlooker: There were people in this town, honey, that would have shot her for five dollars.
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- Cafe Waitress: He must have wanted to get caught, all he had to do was put her body on one of his airplanes. Fly her out over the gulf and push her out. No body. No Arrest.
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- Churchgoer: Ms. Nugent is in a deep freezer headed for Dallas!
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- Lloyd Hornbuckle: [the jury] had more tatoos than teeth and not a brain cell among them.
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- Bernie Tiede: Can I tell you? I am not fond of cremations.
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- Danny Buck Davidson: Frozen like a popsicle.
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Latest News on Bernie
April 27, 2012:
Critics Consensus: The Pirates! Band of Misfits Is Certified FreshThis week at the multiplex, we've got a little something for everyone. There's Aardman's stop-motion...
April 27, 2012:
Interview: Jack Black on BernieJack Black and Richard Linklater need to do more movies together. The actor and director first...
April 24, 2012:
Richard Linklater Bernie InterviewHe talks about his new film, his writing process, and where he finds inspiration.
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