Bernie (2012)

Bernie is part dark comedy, part documentary and altogether oddly compelling. Jack Black does a fine job portraying Bernie Tiede, but I couldn't shake my previous impression of him from his other films. It was hard for me to trust him. And Matthew McConaughey doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the cast. The film is a little slow, but the story is pretty fascinating. You'll find yourself talking about this film after you've watched it.

The old adage that "truth is stranger than fiction" is all too accurate in this Richard Linklater film. The director of films like the "Before" trilogy, "Dazed and Confused" and "Boyhood" took to an actual story for this dark comedy about a Texan mortician who kills the elderly widow he befriended. The film follows the investigation into uncovering the motive and drama surrounding the case. Linklater actually takes to using actual residents to outline the backstory in addition to his actors who play the main roles.Jack Black, a normally comedic star, takes on the titular role of Bernie Tiede, the killer in question. Black brings his usual likability to the role and is not a man you would think to be capable of violence. However in the hands of director Linklater and Black, Bernie is depicted as a figure who transitions from a mild mannered every-man who finally snapped when push came to shove and coldly (and many would argue rightly) took the life of a defenseless elderly woman. The lengths to which Bernie goes fit well into Jack Black's ability to juggle a mix of fear of discovery with intelligence that is touched upon, but amateurish. The actor did actually met with the real Bernie Tiede to prepare for the film which is shown at the end credits.In the role of the victim is Oscar nominee Shirley MacLaine who is at her detached best. The actress has to rely on her skill set to portray a woman who was known to be unlikable and possessively cruel which MacLaine taps into without becoming a caricature. She is silent most of the time, using body language to exude a cold, callous demeanor but when MacLaine does speak she uses her razor sharp tongue to spew short words of demeaning or just uncaring emotion. We are never forced to hate her, but are encouraged to sympathize with Bernie's situation with Marjorie as the relationship grows strained until Bernie finally shoots her to death.Rounding out the cast is the almost undeniable ideal casting of a slick Matthew McConaughey as District Attorney Danny Davidson (nicknamed Buck). Given the Texan native has been numerous lawyers in works like "A Time to Kill", "Amistad" and "The Lincoln Lawyer", it's only fitting that the actor now plays a prosecuting attorney and an actual figure at that. Never becoming smarmy or overly self-righteous, McConaughey does bring an air of cockiness to Danny which was well documented by the actual residents in the film and in the investigation of the Tiede case. As one interviewee states, 'the best thing Danny "Buck" Davidson is good at is getting himself elected.' That sentence just about sums up the man himself, but there is no denying that he is/was a good lawyer given that Davidson won the guilty verdict from the jury in the case of Bernie Tiede; a verdict which is still debated about.The film sticks quite closely to the actual facts of the case without embellishing too much fluff into the narrative. Some moments come off as a bit mismatched with the film's tone, the docudrama style of shooting is actually a unique perspective as the story comes from actual men and women while of course sprinkling in the acting performances to move the story along. The true crime flick is a good departure for director Richard Linklater as it mixes dark comedy into a genre of film he hasn't really tackled before or since.

As I watched this film I became confused. It seemed to be being played as the standard comedy lampooning rednecks. However, there were moments of genuine emotion that didn't fit in a comedy. I was going to categorize it as one those movies that can't make up its mind what it wants to be until I watched the final credits and learned that it was based on a true story! It didn't take too much online research to learn that the filmmakers, apparently led by director Linklater, had completely slanted the facts of the case for the purposes of the movie. Although no one disputes the fact that Bernie shot Mrs. Nugent in the back, the movie portrays him as a saintly do-gooder who killed in a moment of justifiable weakness. The Nugent family is devastated by Maclaine's caricaturish portrayal of Mrs. Nugent. D.A. Buck, who was fulfilling his legal duties, is portrayed as an overweening publicity hound. Nugent family members are portrayed as grasping ingrates. This is the sort of distortion and outright lying that Oliver Stone does so well. I also find it astounding that the filmmakers maintained the actual names of all the characters involved in this tawdry tale. Why there weren't multiple lawsuits I don't know. Other annoying things about the movie are the standard sneering and patronizing Hollywood attitude toward Christianity and small town southern life. All the townies are rubes and Christian belief is treated as a joke. Also, no one wants to see homosexuals pilloried, but the opposite tack - lampooning those who don't approve of homosexuality - is of a piece with the movie's prejudices. I would have given the movie low marks anyway for its ambivalence, but learning of the film's mendacity makes me urge avoidance - seeing it will only encourage them.

Churchgoer: "Ms. Nugent is in a deep freezer headed for Dallas!" The story is about Bernie Tiede was one of the town's most beloved residents. He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie, so it came as no surprise when he befriended Marjorie Nugent, an affluent widow who was as well known for her sour attitude as her fortune. Bernie frequently traveled with Marjorie and even managed her banking affairs. Marjorie quickly became fully dependent on Bernie and his generosity and Bernie struggled to meet her increasing demands.2011 was the year for Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey and the director Richard Linklater, because this movie was beautifully directed and acted.Bernie is a entertaining dark comedy with a sweet side to it. The main character of this movie (Bernie) well he has be the most interesting and most likable person of the face of earth, even the fact that he killed a mean and despicable old women, I still cared for him and I got to give respect to the writers and the director to care about a killer. Matthew McConaughey had the biggest come back in 2011 with The Lincoln Lawyer, Killer Joe and now this movie which he was brilliant in. McConaughey always has that charm and know it all in every role in see him in today, and that what makes him a brilliant actor.Jack Black gives a heartbreaking and spellbinding performance as the sweet killer. It's good to see Jack Black doing roles were he can poof that he is a great actor and in this movie he shines and gives it his all.The movie does have it's slow parts and some of the short interviews of the town people can be a little bit uninteresting. But overall Bernie is a terrific and fantastic movie with brilliant writing and directing.