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ComedyCrimeDrama

Bernie

- A story so unbelievable it must be true.

In small-town Texas, affable and popular mortician Bernie Tiede strikes up a friendship with Marjorie Nugent, a wealthy widow well known for her sour attitude. When she becomes controlling and abusive, Bernie goes to great lengths to remove himself from her grasp.

Release Date : 2012-04-27

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Mandalay VisionDetour FilmproductionWind Dancer Films

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Jack Black

Character Name : Bernie Tiede

Original Name : Jack Black

Gender : Male

Shirley MacLaine

Character Name : Marjorie Nugent

Original Name : Shirley MacLaine

Gender : Female

Matthew McConaughey

Character Name : Danny Buck Davidson

Original Name : Matthew McConaughey

Gender : Male

Brady Coleman

Character Name : Scrappy Holmes

Original Name : Brady Coleman

Gender : Male

Richard Robichaux

Character Name : Lloyd Hornbuckle

Original Name : Richard Robichaux

Gender : Male

Rick Dial

Character Name : Don Leggett

Original Name : Rick Dial

Gender : Male

Brandon Smith

Character Name : Sheriff Huckabee

Original Name : Brandon Smith

Gender : Male

Larry Jack Dotson

Character Name : Rev. Woodard

Original Name : Larry Jack Dotson

Gender : Male

Merrilee McCommas

Character Name : Molly

Original Name : Merrilee McCommas

Gender : Female

Mathew Greer

Character Name : Carl

Original Name : Mathew Greer

Gender : Male

Marjorie Dome

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Marjorie Dome

Gender : Male

Tim Cariker

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Tim Cariker

Gender : Male

Fern Luker

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Fern Luker

Gender : Male

Jack Payne

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Jack Payne

Gender : Male

Sonny Carl Davis

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Sonny Carl Davis

Gender : Male

Chris Humphrey

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Chris Humphrey

Gender : Female

Jesse Lucio

Character Name : Mourner

Original Name : Jesse Lucio

Gender : Male

Ann Reeves

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Ann Reeves

Gender : Male

Kay Epperson

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Kay Epperson

Gender : Female

Ira Bounds

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Ira Bounds

Gender : Male

James Baker

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : James Baker

Gender : Male

Kay McConaughey

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Kay McConaughey

Gender : Male

Kristi Youngblood

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Kristi Youngblood

Gender : Male

Kenny Brevard

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Kenny Brevard

Gender : Male

Margaret Bowman

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Margaret Bowman

Gender : Female

Mollie Fuller

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Mollie Fuller

Gender : Male

Tanja Givens

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Tanja Givens

Gender : Male

Glenda Jones

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Glenda Jones

Gender : Male

Travis Blevins

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Travis Blevins

Gender : Male

Sylvia Froman

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Sylvia Froman

Gender : Male

Martha Long

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Martha Long

Gender : Male

Jo Perkins

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Jo Perkins

Gender : Female

Reba Tarjick

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Reba Tarjick

Gender : Male

Dale Dudley

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Dale Dudley

Gender : Male

James Wilson

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : James Wilson

Gender : Male

Teresa Edwards

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Teresa Edwards

Gender : Male

Billy Vaticalos

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Billy Vaticalos

Gender : Male

Rob Anthony

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Rob Anthony

Gender : Male

Tommy G. Kendrick

Character Name : Larry Brumley

Original Name : Tommy G. Kendrick

Gender : Male

Pam McDonald

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Pam McDonald

Gender : Male

Kathy Gollmitzer

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Kathy Gollmitzer

Gender : Male

Cozette McNeely

Character Name : Townsperson

Original Name : Cozette McNeely

Gender : Male

Richard Andrew Jones

Character Name : Professor Fleming

Original Name : Richard Andrew Jones

Gender : Male

Charles Bailey

Character Name : Friend of Deceased

Original Name : Charles Bailey

Gender : Male

Suzi McLaughlin

Character Name : Mrs. Pebworth

Original Name : Suzi McLaughlin

Gender : Male

Grant James

Character Name : Mr. Estes

Original Name : Grant James

Gender : Male

Juli Erickson

Character Name : Mrs. Estes

Original Name : Juli Erickson

Gender : Female

J.D. Young

Character Name : Dwayne Nugent

Original Name : J.D. Young

Gender : Male

Charlie m Stewart

Character Name : Dwayne Jr.

Original Name : Charlie m Stewart

Gender : Male

Joe Stevens

Character Name : Lewie

Original Name : Joe Stevens

Gender : Male

Raquel Gavia

Character Name : Esmerelda

Original Name : Raquel Gavia

Gender : Male

Amparo García

Character Name : Church Goer

Original Name : Amparo García

Gender : Female

Toby Metcalf

Character Name : Oil Worker

Original Name : Toby Metcalf

Gender : Male

Doug Moreland

Character Name : Chainsaw Artist

Original Name : Doug Moreland

Gender : Male

Edward Ji

Character Name : Pianist

Original Name : Edward Ji

Gender : Male

Jill Blackwood

Character Name : Guys & Dolls Performer

Original Name : Jill Blackwood

Gender : Male

David Blackwell

Character Name : Mel

Original Name : David Blackwell

Gender : Male

Gabriel Luna

Character Name : Kevin

Original Name : Gabriel Luna

Gender : Male

Deana Newcomb

Character Name : Photographer

Original Name : Deana Newcomb

Gender : Female

David Steakley

Character Name : Assistant Director

Original Name : David Steakley

Gender : Male

Peter Harrell Jr.

Character Name : Bank Manager

Original Name : Peter Harrell Jr.

Gender : Male

Joe Leroy Reynolds

Character Name : Deputy Sheriff

Original Name : Joe Leroy Reynolds

Gender : Male

Christian Stokes

Character Name : Truck Driver

Original Name : Christian Stokes

Gender : Male

John Hornbuckle

Character Name : Generator Operator

Original Name : John Hornbuckle

Gender : Male

Wray Crawford

Character Name : Sheriff's Deputy #2

Original Name : Wray Crawford

Gender : Male

Margaret Hoard

Character Name : Café Waitress

Original Name : Margaret Hoard

Gender : Female

Charles Allen Eskew

Character Name : IRS Agent

Original Name : Charles Allen Eskew

Gender : Male

Quita Culpepper

Character Name : TV Reporter

Original Name : Quita Culpepper

Gender : Male

Mona Lee Fultz

Character Name : Cashier

Original Name : Mona Lee Fultz

Gender : Female

Jerry Biggs

Character Name : Judge

Original Name : Jerry Biggs

Gender : Male

Robert Works

Character Name : Lead Juror

Original Name : Robert Works

Gender : Male

Chris Barfield

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Chris Barfield

Gender : Male

Taylor Bryant

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Taylor Bryant

Gender : Male

Colin Bevis

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Colin Bevis

Gender : Male

Jacqui Bloom

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Jacqui Bloom

Gender : Female

Joshua Denning

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Joshua Denning

Gender : Male

Ellie Edwards

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Ellie Edwards

Gender : Male

Alaina Flores

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Alaina Flores

Gender : Male

Jennifer Foster

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Jennifer Foster

Gender : Male

Leslie Hethcox

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Leslie Hethcox

Gender : Male

Jordan Hill

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Jordan Hill

Gender : Male

Berkley Jones

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Berkley Jones

Gender : Male

Trevor McGinnis

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Trevor McGinnis

Gender : Male

Mika Odom

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Mika Odom

Gender : Male

Chell Parkins

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Chell Parkins

Gender : Male

David Ponton

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : David Ponton

Gender : Male

Gray Randolph

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Gray Randolph

Gender : Male

Rachel Hull-Ryde

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Rachel Hull-Ryde

Gender : Male

Ian Saunders

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Ian Saunders

Gender : Male

Madelyn Shaffer

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Madelyn Shaffer

Gender : Female

Larissa Slota

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Larissa Slota

Gender : Male

Daniel Rae Srivastava

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Daniel Rae Srivastava

Gender : Male

Ellen Stader

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Ellen Stader

Gender : Male

Lara Wright

Character Name : Community Theater Group

Original Name : Lara Wright

Gender : Male

Betty Andrews

Character Name : Mrs. Senior Carthage Pageant Contestant

Original Name : Betty Andrews

Gender : Female

Marcia Bailey

Character Name : Mrs. Senior Carthage Pageant Contestant

Original Name : Marcia Bailey

Gender : Male

Umpy Bechtol

Character Name : Mrs. Senior Carthage Pageant Contestant

Original Name : Umpy Bechtol

Gender : Male

Nita Bouldin

Character Name : Mrs. Senior Carthage Pageant Contestant

Original Name : Nita Bouldin

Gender : Male

Nellie Hickerson

Character Name : Mrs. Senior Carthage Pageant Contestant

Original Name : Nellie Hickerson

Gender : Male

Jeanette Kloppe

Character Name : Mrs. Senior Carthage Pageant Contestant

Original Name : Jeanette Kloppe

Gender : Male

Geraldine Miller

Character Name : Mrs. Senior Carthage Pageant Contestant

Original Name : Geraldine Miller

Gender : Male

Sharon Rigsbee

Character Name : Mrs. Senior Carthage Pageant Contestant

Original Name : Sharon Rigsbee

Gender : Male

Debbie Shaw

Character Name : Mrs. Senior Carthage Pageant Contestant

Original Name : Debbie Shaw

Gender : Male

Flo Weiershausen

Character Name : Mrs. Senior Carthage Pageant Contestant

Original Name : Flo Weiershausen

Gender : Male

Gina Wooten

Character Name : Mrs. Senior Carthage Pageant Contestant

Original Name : Gina Wooten

Gender : Male

Gary Askins

Character Name : Juror

Original Name : Gary Askins

Gender : Male

Ben Bachelder

Character Name : Juror

Original Name : Ben Bachelder

Gender : Male

Meredith Beal

Character Name : Juror

Original Name : Meredith Beal

Gender : Male

Stacey Bruck

Character Name : Juror

Original Name : Stacey Bruck

Gender : Male

Michelle Briscoe

Character Name : Juror

Original Name : Michelle Briscoe

Gender : Male

Lesa Brooks

Character Name : Juror

Original Name : Lesa Brooks

Gender : Male

Gayla Bruce

Character Name : Juror

Original Name : Gayla Bruce

Gender : Male

Brenda Bunton

Character Name : Juror

Original Name : Brenda Bunton

Gender : Male

Kristi Copeland

Character Name : Juror

Original Name : Kristi Copeland

Gender : Male

Jeff Davis

Character Name : Juror

Original Name : Jeff Davis

Gender : Male

Orion Gallagher

Character Name : Juror

Original Name : Orion Gallagher

Gender : Male

Kenneth C. Liverman

Character Name : Juror

Original Name : Kenneth C. Liverman

Gender : Male

Linda Rudwick

Character Name : Juror

Original Name : Linda Rudwick

Gender : Male

Mary Stifflemire

Character Name : Juror

Original Name : Mary Stifflemire

Gender : Male

Richard Linklater

Character Name : Deadbeat Dad (uncredited)

Original Name : Richard Linklater

Gender : Male

Valerie Frazee

Character Name : Robin (uncredited)

Original Name : Valerie Frazee

Gender : Male

Veronica Orosco

Character Name : Church Patron (uncredited)

Original Name : Veronica Orosco

Gender : Male

Gary Teague

Character Name : Neighborhood Onlooker (uncredited)

Original Name : Gary Teague

Gender : Male

Heath Allyn

Character Name : Mortuary Student (uncredited)

Original Name : Heath Allyn

Gender : Male

Cheryl Bond Danks

Character Name : Restaurant Patron (uncredited)

Original Name : Cheryl Bond Danks

Gender : Male

Fred Bothwell

Character Name : Mourner (uncredited)

Original Name : Fred Bothwell

Gender : Male

Gene Cervenka

Character Name : Grim Reaper - Prison Guard (uncredited)

Original Name : Gene Cervenka

Gender : Male

Rebecca Chulew

Character Name : Upscale Shopper / Pageant Attendee (uncredited)

Original Name : Rebecca Chulew

Gender : Female

Erik Collins

Character Name : Sheriff Deputy #3 (uncredited)

Original Name : Erik Collins

Gender : Male

Franky Coronado

Character Name : Prison Visitor (uncredited)

Original Name : Franky Coronado

Gender : Male

Randy Coy

Character Name : Hard Body Onlooker (uncredited)

Original Name : Randy Coy

Gender : Male

Wendy Crouse

Character Name : Prison Visitor (uncredited)

Original Name : Wendy Crouse

Gender : Male

Daniel B. Davis

Character Name : Townsperson (uncredited)

Original Name : Daniel B. Davis

Gender : Male

Richard Dodwell

Character Name : Church Attendee (uncredited)

Original Name : Richard Dodwell

Gender : Male

June Griffin Garcia

Character Name : Parisian Diner (uncredited)

Original Name : June Griffin Garcia

Gender : Female

Paul Heckmann

Character Name : Carthaginian Resident (uncredited)

Original Name : Paul Heckmann

Gender : Male

Stephen C. Kerr

Character Name : The Corpse (uncredited)

Original Name : Stephen C. Kerr

Gender : Male

Robert H. Lambert

Character Name : Courtroom Witness (uncredited)

Original Name : Robert H. Lambert

Gender : Male

Rudi Lee

Character Name : Grieving Widow (uncredited)

Original Name : Rudi Lee

Gender : Male

Floyd Lloyd

Character Name : Funeral Home Patron (uncredited)

Original Name : Floyd Lloyd

Gender : Male

Kevin Machate

Character Name : Federal Agent (uncredited)

Original Name : Kevin Machate

Gender : Male

Patrick Martin Jr.

Character Name : TV News Cameraman (uncredited)

Original Name : Patrick Martin Jr.

Gender : Male

Timothy McKinney

Character Name : Small Deputy (uncredited)

Original Name : Timothy McKinney

Gender : Male

Caroline McNeil

Character Name : Mourner (uncredited)

Original Name : Caroline McNeil

Gender : Male

Earl Nottingham

Character Name : Courthouse Vendor (uncredited)

Original Name : Earl Nottingham

Gender : Male

Mitchell Rad

Character Name : Press Photographer (uncredited)

Original Name : Mitchell Rad

Gender : Male

Angelita Aronce Sorensen

Character Name : Courtroom Visitor (uncredited)

Original Name : Angelita Aronce Sorensen

Gender : Male

Heath Young

Character Name : Photographer / Churchgoer (uncredited)

Original Name : Heath Young

Gender : Male

Daniel Zubiate

Character Name : Action News Cameraman (uncredited)

Original Name : Daniel Zubiate

Gender : Male

Reviews

D

DoryDarko

@DoryDarko

2021-06-23

Bernie is a really fun and enjoyable dark comedy, starring Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine. This is actually the true story of what happened between a purely good man and a purely evil woman. Jack Black plays Bernie Tiede, an assistant undertaker in the small town of Carthage, Texas. He is loved by everybody for his pure-hearted character, his sympathy for every person he comes across and his willingness to help everyone who needs it in any way, shape or form. He's just such a good guy, you almost wouldn't believe it if not for the fact that this character is based on an actual person. And then there's Marjorie Nugent, played by Shirley MacLaine. She is his polar opposite, as hated as Bernie is loved. She is the widow of some rich oil baron, and she is just the most mean and spiteful woman you could ever fear to meet. Everyone in town absolutely hates her guts, and there's no one who would be sorry to see her go... Then comes the day when these two people meet and – all due to Bernie's good nature – form an unlikely friendship. Until about two years later when Marjorie's true personality rears its ugly head and even Bernie can't stand her abuse any longer, when he is reduced to her personal slave and whipping boy. And what no one believed possible, happens... He kills her. (don't worry, that's not a spoiler, that's the story line.) What follows is the strange lengths Bernie attempts to go to, in order to cover up his crime. What makes this film work so well is mostly the subtle humour of it. Director Richard Linklater thankfully didn't choose to make this into the hysterical, caricature of a comedy it easily could have been. Something that really adds to the authenticity of the film is the use of actual Carthage townsfolk, providing commentary on the events in documentary-like interview scenes. This really is a perfect move on the director's part, because it makes the 'acting' completely real and spontaneous. I really like Jack Black, but in this case, I'm somewhat glad he left his crazy mannerisms and facial expressions at the door, in order to just play this character true-to-form. He actually acts, rather than just playing another silly, typical "Jack Black character". I always love watching Shirley MacLaine in a mean and vile role such as this one, and in 'Bernie', she plays it to a T once again. Imagine her character in 'Steel Magnolia's' and then multiply it by ten. That's what you get here and it's an absolute joy to watch. Matthew McConaughey plays the county sheriff, dead-set on burning Bernie for his crime. I'm usually not too fond of him, but his role in 'Bernie' is pretty funny and he plays it well. He seems to be the only person in town who thinks it's bad what happened to Marjorie. That's another really funny aspect to this story – the fact that everybody involved just loves Bernie so much and really hates Marjorie to the bone, that they all seem to take his side in the matter. You might feel like I'm just throwing spoilers at you here, but pretty much the whole story is told in hindsight and flashbacks, so there are no real secretes or mysteries unveiled. Then what's the point of watching, you might ask, if I already know everything that's going to happen from the get-go? The point is the enjoyment you'll get from watching these events unfold. The actors are all really well cast, and they play their roles with a certain flair that makes them instantly likable. The dialogue is clever and witty, and like I mentioned earlier, the combination of event re-enactment and documentary-like interviews, is a winning ticket and 'Bernie's' major selling point. The story is well constructed, as is the chronology of how it unfolds. Basically, it's just very well-made, and it definitely would have deserved a little more credit. But then again, this film also kind of has a "small budget/small audience" feel to it, so that might explain why it practically went unnoticed at the box office. It's just a shame that charming little comedies like 'Bernie' always get overlooked when stuff like 'The Hangover' and the like get multi-million dollar appraisal. All I can hope for is that 'Bernie' gathers its own DVD-fan base, because it's certainly worth it. Watch this film if you're in the mood a darkly hilarious comedy that has its heart in the right place. Oh, and stick around for the credits, where you can see pictures of the actual Bernie and Marjorie, and footage of Bernie and Jack Black talking, which is a fun addition. All in all, a highly recommended film! _(October 2012)_