The reason to see “Bernie,” based on an odd May/December true-life
crime story, is its star, Jack Black, who virtually disappears into his role
(as opposed to his usual irritating, over-the-top performances). His Bernie is
an effeminate Southern gentleman and Black plays every mannerism with
pitch-perfect sincerity. Another reason to see this movie is its director,
Richard Linklater, who takes a documentary- style approach, blending a mix of
character actors and real townsfolk to comment on the action and provide a sort
of Greek chorus. Although most of the information is funneled through gossip
that might limit the audience from getting the whole story, it definitely
provides a fresh approach to storytelling. Matthew McConaughey is also
effective as the overzealous district attorney, Danny Buck Davidson.
Black plays Bernie Tiede, the assistant funeral director in
Carthage, Texas, who sings in the choir, directs local musical productions,
teaches Sunday school and is kind to old ladies, particularly grieving widows.
One of the later is wealthy heiress Marjorie Nugent (Shirley Maclaine), known
as Marge, who is widely recognized as a crabby old lady. She is so taken with
Bernie’s attention that he becomes her constant companion, business manager,
maid, chauffeur and butler. In 1997, after Marge had not been seen in public
for nine months, it was revealed that gentle Bernie had shot Marge four times
in the back and kept her corpse in her garage freezer. Interestingly enough, the district
attorney has Bernie’s trial moved out of town because so many of its inhabitants
and potential jurors refuse to believe that Bernie is a killer. Even though
Linklater relies on the townspeople a little too much, “Bernie” is a true Texas
tall tale and worth seeing. 5/3/12
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