cricketbat 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.

HotToastyRag Bernie is one of my favorite movies, and the best advice I can give is this: Don't watch the preview. The preview gives away the entire story—major spoilers! All you need to know is it's about a very charismatic mortician who moves to a small Texas town and bonds with a widow after conducting her husband's funeral. If you start to read anything more about the plot, stop reading! The movie is so fantastic, but you can only see it for the first time once. Don't spoil it.The acting in Bernie is incredible. I don't know what kind of anti-aging pill Shirley MacLaine is taking, but I want it! She looks fantastic, and her energy level is just as high as it was in her twenties. Matthew McConaughey gives a hilarious performance, and even people who normally can't stand him will think he does an excellent job (just ask my mom!). And Jack Black, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for his turn in the title role, is phenomenal. The Academy Awards snubbed him, big time. He pours himself into the role, making Bernie human, charming, troubled, sweet, and endearing.Richard Linklater co-wrote and directed the film, and he guides the story with a very gentle hand. The main plot is spliced in with mock interviews, but Linklater doesn't make it feel like a documentary. He balances the very fine line between humor and drama, and unfolds the story to the audience in a truly perfect way.Do me and yourself a favor; buy Bernie. It's a movie you'll want to watch over and over and over.

Ironically Unimpressed As always, Linklater sets up a wonderful possibility but, alas, fails to deliver the punchline. Too focused on his usual indulgent voyeurism, he still manages a nicely put together set of moving images, however, it's an effort structured on a rather fiddly foundation to begin with. The story itself is not a very interesting one and the mockumentary technique employed throughout only serves to distance the viewer from the happenings rather than inviting them in.The argumentative dialogue lacks any sort of depth and the acting is unimaginative, with both Black and McConaughey bringing nothing new to the table other than their own, fatigued by now style when, unfortunately, MacLaine alone can't carry the whole film on her shoulders.Do keep in mind that the "comedy" tag attached to this movie is terribly misleading as there are no real funny moments, with most of the humorous attempts being in extremely poor taste given this is based on a true story and they are afforded in the expense of an old woman who got murdered simply for being unpleasant.Proceed at your own risk.

Mike B I knew very little about this film prior to viewing aside from the 3 key actors. All give understated performances, pretty surprising for Jack Black. Both Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey are also kept under control in terms of dialogue. It is a very story focused film and the presentation is very well crafted. You are drawn in right from the start and are never quite sure where all this is leading to.It's a blend of film noir, interspersed with comedy, and drama. Entertainment in a quirky way. And surprisingly all based on a true story. Well worth watching. Reminded me of a good Coen brothers film – without the violence.