Bernie

Director: Richard Linklater

Stars: Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey

Plot: The remarkable true life tale of the friendship between Bernie Tiede, the most beloved resident of a small Texan town, and Marjorie Nugent, the most despised, which ultimately resulted in him shooting her in the back and hiding the body in a freezer.

Hugh's View:

I am aware that my last attempt to keep a piece brief was hardly successful but none the less I will attempt brevity once more with this review. Mostly because the majority of you will not end up seeing it, which is a shame but inevitable. The fact is this is a small film about a small town telling a relatively small story. It is about a big character though and does feature a big, if uncharacteristically subtle and restrained, performance by Jack Black.

This film marks a reunion between Black and School of Rock director Richard Linklater but where that served to be a mainstream breakout for the pair of them, this film is another beast altogether. This will likely be of no surprise to either as the film they have created is frankly odd yet this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

The closest description would be a documentary re-enactment but that is really unfair to the unique character of the film that has been created. On the one hand it is a straightforward movie but at the same time is almost narrated in a documentary/talking heads manor by the actual residents of the town, many of whom actually play themselves in the scenes as well as actors who are playing other characters in the film.

Whilst it does feel unusual to watch at times, it does seem fitting. The town of Carthage where the events took place is a character unto itself. It becomes clear over the course of the film that it is as much about place that the events occurred as much as it is about the events that occurred there. What makes the story stand out is the fact that despite the fact that a man confessed to shooting an old woman in the back, practically the entire town rallied behind him to get away with it. What Richard Linklater, a Texan himself, captures really well is the meeting point between locality and mentality that caused such a mindset to exist.

It is of massive credit to Jack Black that the film manages to work so well. Shirley MacLaine gives us text book cantankerous as the rich old widow so despised by the town and Matthew McConaughey is winningly slimy as the district attorney hell bent on getting Bernie put away for his crimes but make no mistake, this is Jack Blacks film. Whilst the characters comedic campness and penchant for singing allow Black to demonstrate some of his more well known performance traits, it is what lies beneath the surface that impresses the most. He clearly demonstrates why the townsfolk would have fallen in love with him to such a degree but always retains a hint of something darker.

This being the story of a murderer and all, the presence of darkness in the character should not be a surprise, yet the chorus of actual residents who seem to have sanctified this man presents the conundrum which fuels the heart of this film. It is in making this dichotomy of beloved community pillar and confessed murderer not only believable but almost understandable that Black truly triumphs. The fact that it was only the Golden Globes that gave it any kind of recognition is sad but understandable, it does however act as a great reminder of what a great acting talent he is. Hopefully now that his past ubiquity has subsided slightly, he will start moving back in to making good, fun, interesting films.

Overall it takes a bewildering tale which I imagine, for better and worse, could only have happened in Texas. It won't be to everyone’s tastes but for my money it makes for an intriguing watch. As with any good film in this vein, it allows you to make up your own mind on the character, his actions and the response of those around him but this should hardly be taken as a given. On what would seem on the surface to be such an open and shut case, the fact that there is any room for consideration makes it a great achievement on the parts of Jack Black and Richard Linklater, reminding us how refreshing it is to have both of them making films again.

Also Watch:

Dazed and Confused – One of my favourite films of all time, this film also finds Richard Linklater exploring small town Texas life but instead of focussing on local curiosity, he explores the more universal themes of being young, growing up and having a great time in between. It is also notable for being a launching pad for the young careers of Ben Affleck and Bernie co-star Matthew McConaughey.

Yes I am aware that was not brief. I guess it's good to have something to strive towards...