Trailer

Bernie (2011)

PG-13   |    |  Biography, Comedy, Crime

Bernie (2011) Poster

In small-town Texas, an affable mortician strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, though when she starts to become controlling, he goes to great lengths to separate himself from her grasp.

6.8/10
57,099
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75 Metascore

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Photos

  • Shirley MacLaine and Jack Black in Bernie (2011)
  • Richard Linklater in Bernie (2011)
  • Richard Linklater and Jack Black at an event for Bernie (2011)
  • Zach McGowan at an event for Bernie (2011)
  • Jack Black in Bernie (2011)
  • Matthew McConaughey in Bernie (2011)

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Awards

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Another 10 wins & 18 nominations.

Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
9 December 2014 | MattyGibbs
8
| Excellent and very funny black comedy
A mortician strikes up a friendship with a rich controlling businesswoman that doesn't have good consequences.

The film is told like a documentary with interviews with people who knew the pair along with flashbacks to stages in their relationship. It's an interesting format and one that works well. The story flows well and holds your attention throughout. This is a good example of a black comedy that really works with a sparkling and very witty script with lots of well observed and funny moments but also some good dark drama.

It features a strong cast with Jack Black as a popular mortician.The stand out performance for me was by Matthew McConaughey as the charismatic cop trying to put Black behind bars.

Bernie is one of those films that you watch with low expectations but which surprises you with how good it is. It deserves a much higher rating than it's current 6.8 (36,466 votes). Highly recommended.

Metacritic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Did You Know?

Trivia

Parts of the movie such as the airport and BBQ restaurant were filmed in Smithville. This is the same place that Hope Floats with Sandra Bullock was filmed.

Quotes

Professor Fleming: I'm very honored to introduce our guest lecturer today. He graduated from here about 15 years ago. He's gone on to a fabulous career. I can't think of a single person who's more qualified or more adept at the final procedures you've been studying ...

Goofs

The original jury was made up of seven black women and five white men. The genders are represented correctly in the film but only one of the women is black.

Crazy Credits

During the main credits, there are more commentary clips of the 'townspeople'. The last clip is of James Baker singing the song he wrote about the events.

Soundtracks

What a Friend We Have in Jesus
(uncredited)
Music by Charles Crozat Converse
[Heard as a theme while Bernie is folding the washing]

Storyline

Plot Summary

Synopsis (WARNING: Spoilers)

Genres

Biography | Comedy | Crime | Drama

Details

Release Date:

22 June 2012

Language

English

Country of Origin

USA

Filming Locations

Lockhart, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$85,805 29 April 2012

Gross USA:

$9,206,470

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,173,061

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