Catching Up: Bernie ****

Bernie opens with an extended driving sequence with the titular character, played by Jack Black, singing at the top of his lungs as the radio plays the Christian ballad "Love Lifted Me."  It as at that point that you know you're about to see something heretofore unseen from Black's performance, and, as the movie goes along, he never let's up.

Seriously, if this movie had been released and marketed differently, Jack Black would be receiving serious awards consideration right about now.  Yes, you read that correctly.



The Bernie in Bernie is Bernie Tiede, the character at the center of a real-life crime story that took place in Carthage, Texas.  The story is told, in may respects, through the eyes of the Carthage townspeople (or least through the eyes of actors playing Carthage townspeople) as they relate their thoughts about Bernie and his crimes.

Bernie is an assistant funeral home director, leader in the local church choir, a local theater participant and one of the most popular citizens in Carthage.  He is seemingly without any malice or guile.  His greatest asset at the funeral home is his ability to get people to pay for more amenities.  But, he's not a huckster or a charlatan, he's just sincere in his belief that people's loved ones deserve everything they can afford, and he's able to convey that to the customers.

His other specialty is comforting those who have lost a loved one, especially elderly widows, with whom he spends long hours.  There's nothing devious or sexual about these relationships.  The people of Carthage speculated that there might have been something going on, but many of them also believed that Bernie was gay.  The only one of his friendships that raises eyebrows is the one with Marjorie Nugent, played by Shirley MacLaine.

Ms. Nugent's husband was well liked in Carthage, but the love did not extend to her.  She is despised by people in town for her temper and cruelty.  But, this does not exempt her from Bernie's efforts to provide comfort in the aftermath of her husband's death.

Eventually, Marjorie and Bernie become good friends.  They take trips together at her expense and attend local cultural functions.  Bernie eventually gets her to come back to church.  And, it seems that, for a while anyway, Marjorie developed a soft spot for Bernie.  She treats him kindly and the friendship seems genuine, and she eventually gives him access to all her accounts and finances, which proves fortuitous later on.

But, the kindness doesn't last.  Eventually, despite Bernie's unwavering devotion to their friendship, Marjorie starts to treat him like she's treated everyone else.  Unable to put up with the unending abuse, Bernie shoots and kills Marjorie.  But, because so few people cared to interact with her, he's able to hide it for several months.

Eventually, he raises the suspicions of the local district attorney, played by Matthew McConaughey, who is also in top form in this film.  When the investigation bears fruit and the crime is uncovered, Bernie confesses almost immediately.

Yet, the townsfolk don't believe Bernie did it, and those that do believe it don't care -- no one in town believes Bernie should be punished for the crime, he's just that well beloved.  In fact, the DA is forced to file for a change in venue because he doesn't believe an unbiased jury can be found in Carthage.

That's sort of the crux of the whole movie, which is, believe it or not, a comedy.  The citizens of Carthage live by both their convictions and their stereotypes.  While many of the scenes play out in humorous fashion -- particularly those featuring McConaughey -- it is the observations of the townspeople that inject the most humor.  Once again, these aren't real, actual interviews with Carthaginians -- they are all actors -- but the movie succeeds in large part because the interviews feel like the genuine article.

The film is directed by Richard Linklater, one of the most versatile filmmakers working today.  He sort of specializes in making strong movies that fly under the radar.  His credits include the sort of acclaimed Before Sunrise and its sequel Before Sunset.  He also directed the under-appreciated remake of The Bad News Bears starring Billy Bob Thornton and the also underrated Me and Orson Welles. And, of course, he was the man behind both Dazed and Confused and School of Rock, probably his two most well known movies.

I don't know that I'd say that Bernie is Linklater's best film, though it's in the running.  But, it does include his greatest single accomplishment to date: turning Jack Black into a legitimate actor.  Black's performance really is worth the price of admission.  From the opening minutes, he fully inhabits this character.  There's never the typical Jack Black moment where he winks at the audience and makes it all seem fake.  Bernie's kindness and sincerity are baked into Black's depiction.  It was refreshing to watch.

While Black carries much of the movie, the supporting cast is also stellar.  McConaughey, in particular, is simply hilarious as the DA.

Whether you look more toward the performances or the overall story -- which is so crazy that it has to be true -- this is simply a joy of a movie.  Indeed, Bernie is one of the best films of the year so far.