Review of Bernie (2012) by Selina E — 06 Nov 2013

Liklater's retelling of the events that'd unfolded in a remote Texas town involving the murder of a wealthy aristocrat, who's played by Shirley MacFarlane in the movie and her death angel, Bernie , played by the imposing Jack Black, - from whom we get the title and whose life is the main focus of the plot- is not the sort of movie which one would categorize under the genre of comedy. But the movie works in a lot of different ways, and is not easily defined under one particular theme. This is because Linklater and the scriptwriters has shaped the story not from one perspective, but which smoothly transforms from one to another - from comedy to tragedy to a legal thriller , not to mention he has included real people in this work, which makes it a quasi-mocumentary film.

Jack Black who plays the titular Bernie, sheds his rockstar persona and takes the robes of a devout Christian who is the town's assistant funeral director. He is a happy - go - lucky man, who is loved by all of the town's old ladies who is charmed by his personality and his altruistic qualities. Whenever, a senior citizen dies, he makes sure that the bereft widow is consoled and he often visits them to lift out of their loneliness by brining flowers and chocolates. He is looked upon by suspicion by some male members, but most of believe that he is a virtuous person and since he doesn't show any interest in any women of his own generation, that he is a closet homosexual. He plays for the choir, Black being a natural tenor often soars high with his voice, donates for charity and is easily, as one member puts it, the most popular man in town.

The character of Margerie Nugent , is perhaps the antithesis of the protagonist. She is despised around town for being a miserly, ill-tempered woman who doesn't even have the slightest humor and has nothing but contempt for everyone else. But when her husband dies, she attracts the sympathy of Bernie, who although being well aware of her personality, goes to her house everyday with sweets and flowers. Initially she rejects his advances but as Bernie persists she gives in and lets him into her house. She finds a possible partner and a companion in Bernie, and the latter is too nice to reject it. They fall in love, but certainly not of a sexual nature, but they each enjoy the company of another and soon it becomes indispensable. They are seen travelling the world, going to theatres and plays, riding on the beach and golf carts, they are together all the time.

Margerie then decides to bequeath everything she owns to Bernie, dismissing her children and grandchildren. But she becomes obsessive with him, and requires him to do everything for her and be some sort her own personal slave because she doesn't allow Bernie to have his free time, and this is where the conflict begins. Bernie has been pushed to his breaking point, and at the spur of the moment he lets out his concealed rage and anger by picking up a rifle and shooting her on the back four times, which he instantly regrets doing.

Then the story lingers on with Bernie trying to deceive everyone by convincing Margerie is still alive and is under treatment. This is where the character of the sheriff comes in and played as an unflinching and perhaps a callous person who is indifferent to the town's sympathy towards Bernie and suspects him doing something sinister and having an hidden agenda. Bernie is eventually caught after keeping up the charade for nine months and he goes on trial. But the shrewd sheriff knowing the if the trial is done in the town, there would be a bias against the victim and Bernie would have it easy and therefore he transfers the trial to another redneck town and he presents the case with descriptions of Bernie as a greedy, callous and a dangerous man who shoots an innocent old lady to acquire her wealth. The jury finds him guilty and the judge hands him a life sentence.

Throughout the film the fictional scenes are interrupted by personal interviews and perspectives on the main characters by actual members of the town and as well those Linklater has disguised them as. Thus, the quasi-documentary feel towards it. All the actors have done a fine and compelling performances with special mention to Jack Black, who plays Bernie with restraint and adequate charm, capable of subtle emotion and a capacity of remaining happy under any circumstance. Linklater could've made the film into a larger than life portrait or a sleazy one since the subject-matter is so unusual, but he made into a film with layers of meaning and with a touch humor here and there in addition to having a commentary on the ambiguity of the justice system. Bernie is certainly a delight to watch from beginning to end.