I originally wasn’t planning to watch Bernie. Not because I don’t like Jack Black as I think he’s usually pretty entertaining, but the movie just didn’t seem that appealing. I normally don’t watch trailers, but watching part of one made me decide I’d skip this one. That’s until I saw a lot of positive reviews coming into my mailbox. It seemed I had dismissed a movie I shouldn’t have, so I was set on “righting” that wrong and decided to check it out.
Bernie is not your average movie and going in I didn’t know much about it (I only looked at the scores of those reviews I received). I didn’t know it was based on a real story and also didn’t know that the form in which the story was told was refreshing. I’m a big fan of documentaries and this movie actually feels like one. It feels like a reenactment, like the ones you see on something like “I shouldn’t be alive” or “Locked up abroad”. The movie follows a storyline, but is interspersed with interviews with real people talking fondly about Bernie. I won’t be talking about what exactly happens, but suffice to say I kind of felt like those people in the town being surprised by it.
If you are dreading watching this because you are not a fan of Jack Black’s “loud” persona then you will be pleasantly surprised to know that he’s very dialled back in this, playing his role straight. He’s not responsible for most of the laughs, that honor goes to the townspeople. I was expecting Matthew McConaughey to have a bigger part of the movie, but felt that his part felt underdeveloped and wished it had been more fleshed out. This movie manages to make you feel sympathy for the real Bernie, although I’m not sure that you should have.
Score: 8
I LOVED this film. Manages to be so complex without really trying to. Also, Black was amazing i think
You are not the only one who thinks so 🙂
I watched it because I admire Linklater as a director, although what stayed with me was Jack Black, excellent performance. Was quite shocking that it was based on a real life story!
Yeah, it was shocking as I didn’t know that either. Linklater is a very interesting director.
I really, really liked this film.
Probably a similar score to you if I reviewed it…. Nice to see a little less Jack Black style
Happy to hear Scott!
Great little film Nostra. I’m not overly keen on Black but I liked him here. Totally agree about McConaughey. He was great but underused.
It should have gotten a bit more marketing I guess, because I never heard of it before.
More marketing would have went down a treat for sure. I would have bypassed it had it not been for Linklater’s involvement. I’m a big fan of his.
I’ve been trying to watch this one for a while. Nice review.
Hope you’ll be able to check it out soon.
Glad you checked it out. I quite liked this picture.
Yeah, a nice surprise.
I didn’t find this movie appealing either Nostra, but all these positive reviews got me intrigued now. I’ll rent it when it’s available.
Yeah, it’s worth checking out and I think you will be pleasantly surprised!
I like that the film makes you want to like Bernie even though you know you shouldn’t. It makes the people of Carthage seem like they aren’t totally crazy, even though they kind of are.
Exactly the feeling I also had Andy 🙂
Same as you, heard good reviews so will check it out eventually
And I’m sure I’ll see a review of it Raghav 😉
Nice review, Nostra! I’ve gotten thousands of recommendations, so I’ll try to check this one out soon.
Thanks Fernando, you should!
I’m glad that Linklater is done with the rotoscope films. Bernie is such a delight.
Although the look of those rotoscope films was very unique I will have to agree with you that I prefer this to those movies.
Completely agree here, Nostra. I was so surprised by this film and was utterly enchanted by it from beginning to end. This one came out of nowhere!
Great review — very well said!
Thanks a lot Dave, I think we agree that this movie surprised everyone.