Review of Bernie (2012) by Blake P — 02 Dec 2012

If you're expecting a riotous comedy like "Bridesmaids" or a mockumentary film similar to "Best in Show", make sure not to get your hopes up. Though "Bernie" isn't necessarily either, it's a good thing.

Based on a true story (which shouldn't suggest this is a cheesy film), "Bernie" is a dark comedy that works simply because it tells the truth. It's all about Bernie Tiede (Jack Black), a small-town mortician who's so kind that everybody adores him.

After befriending lonely widow Majorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine) after her husband dies, the two become very close. At first, the two are happy, and Bernie is willing to work as her companion, but as the years go by, Majorie becomes more and more cynical and possessive, which drives Bernie to commit murder.

No one suspects him, except determined town sherif Danny Buck (Matthew McConaughey). Richard Linklater directs perfectly-- adding the supposed "documentary" as a feature makes the film feel even more real, with supporting performances by the "townspeople" that create funny quips and comments.

But the story itself only gets more interesting. Why is Bernie so sweet? Why is Majorie such a bitch? The results are even more compelling than we expect. The comedy is never gut-wrenchingingly funny, but the film itself is so clever and subtle that the humor always deserves a chuckle, if not simple appreciation.

The film truly belongs though, to the three performances by its leads. MacLaine is terrific in a comeback performance, playing her pessimism with usual neuroses and wit, while McConaughey is very funny with his rootin'-tootin' accent and town sherif ideas.

But nobody is as good as Jack Black. He seems to understand the man he's playing, and rather than overdoing it and coming across more like a character (hem hem, Ned Flanders of "The Simpsons"), Black plays it as realistic as possible, making Bernie oh-so-sweet like he should be while playing somebody you could meet in your own town.

Whether or not the real man is this great, I don't know, but Black is constantly likable and funny. This shows him maturing in his roles, and it's nice to see such a talented man expanding his comedic skills.

"Bernie" is a great film that hopefully could become a contender for a few Oscar nominations. Hopefully ...