Review of Bernie (2012) by Jeff B — 09 Jan 2016

Not exactly sure why so many are raving about this film. It's interesting, quirky, and fairly well-acted, but nothing to send it into the outer realms of film greatness. Jack Black does a nice job of being the all-loving Christian full of compassion and mirth, but this character falls right in his wheelhouse. It was made for him. But as far as plot goes, not much going on until Bernie's kindness turns into something more with widow Nugent. He's his normal widow-nurturing, compassionate-Christian self until the relation takes on greater intimacy. Then the questions arise, the pondering begins.

It certainly is odd that this near middle-aged man doesn't date but only keeps time with elderly widows. Then when he moves in with Marjorie as his care taker greater suspicion takes hold. Was this his plan all along? To find a wealthy woman who would take care of him? Did his plans backfire and go awry when she turns overly possessive and controlling? But why shoot Marjorie in the back? Did he really just "loose it"? But maybe it was a plot to gain her good graces, a tough row to hoe indeed, to security via her fortunes. But if he was planning on inheritance via kindness, did he just became impatient? And if he wanted to end it all, why not devise a more believable early demise? Oh, Bernie, so many questions, so much quirkiness, so average a film.

The film does have its upside, but overall it just didn't have enough to sink one's cinematic teeth into. Satisfying but not exceptional.