Review #772 - Bernie (2011)
THE SCOOP
Director: Richard Linklater
Cast: Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey
Plot: In small-town Texas, the local mortician strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, though when he kills her, he goes to great lengths to create the illusion that she's alive.
Genre: Comedy / Crime / Drama
Awards: Nom. for 1 Golden Globe - Best Leading Actor (Musical/Comedy)
Runtime: 104min
Rating: PG13 for some violent images and brief strong language.
IN RETROSPECT (Spoilers: NO)
Independent American
director Richard Linklater collaborates with actor Jack Black again in this
low-key drama-comedy about a character named Bernie. Black, who last worked
with Linklater in the hit The School of
Rock (2003), plays the title character Bernie, a charming guy who walks
with an effeminate style, and who above all else, has an incredible desire to help
everyone in his community, be it a family in need, or a snobbish old lady.
Speaking of which, Marjorie
Nugent is probably the most snobbish of old ladies that you will see on the screen
this year. Played by the legendary Shirley MacLaine (The Apartment, 1960; Terms of
Endearment, 1983), Marjorie drives Bernie to madness when she takes
advantage of his kindness one mile too far.
Set in Texas in the town
of Carthage, Linklater embraces the socio-cultural climate of the locale not by
capturing beautiful imagery, but through the numerous interactions with its colourful
people. In an unorthodox way of presenting his film, Linklater intercuts
documentary interviews of real Carthage folks as they recall how they were
touched by Bernie’s grace, with a reel take on Bernie the person as played by
Black.
The end result is simply a
film that is impossible to define. The unconventional narrative style and
structure give Bernie a pacing that is
more meandering than focused, but Linklater manages to keep things in check
with Black’s stunning performance acting as the anchor for the entire film.
Black, who mostly flatters
to deceive, will convince his critics of his acting ability in Bernie. Such is his charm and
persuasiveness that it would take a person with a wooden heart to not like him. The problem comes when his character kills Marjorie (this is not a spoiler!)
midway into the film. Is he guilty or not? Can such an angel commit a devilish
crime?
Bernie is not so much a character
or psychological study on morality, but a tribute to a person who (unfortunately)
has to face the law, his fate under the scrutiny of another town’s jury,
despite being an affectionately nice guy for his entire life. Can one seemingly
justified moment of madness define a person?
Bernie will resonate more with
the artsy-fartsy crowd, though it must be said that Black will pull a number of
mainstream viewers into the theatres to catch this. Linklater’s film is out of
the ordinary, but it is never extraordinary. It is well-directed in an
understated manner, and while not always consistently engaging, it feels like
something that might be important to watch. After all it is based on a true
story.
GRADE: B
Tweet
Follow @Filmnomenon
Click here to go back to Central Station.
OST:
Comments