Review: Bernie

       Jack Black made a name for himself by being the goofy fat guy from School of Rock, who made his money by appearing in crappy kids movies like Gullivers Travels. He has received very little recognition for his acting abilities because he has spent so much time playing either versions of himself, or playing in limited roles. I've been a fan of Jack Black's musical work in Tenacious D for a long time, but he had yet to impress me with his acting skills. Here in Bernie he plays way against type. Instead of a boorish freeloader, he plays a fastidious, effeminate, Texas funeral director, and he hits it out of the park. It's the casting of Black in this role so far from what we imagine him being and his ability to do so well in that role is what makes Bernie so wonderful.

       Bernie is based on the real life events of Bernie Tiede, a funeral director in east Texas. Bernie (Black) is beloved by all of the city the Carthage. Not only is he an accomplished mortician, but he also is there to comfort those in mourning, as well as just being a all around friendly guy. He leads the church choir, directs and performs in local plays. He gives generously to those in need. Everyone loves him. Shirley MacLaine plays Marjorie, widow to a wealthy oilman and owner of the local bank. She is the most hated woman in town. She frequently denies loans to the residents of Carthage and just generally is mean to everyone around her. At her husband's funeral she meets Bernie, and he does his best to comfort her. At first, she pushes him away, but Bernie's persistence eventually lets him into her life. They spend lots of time together, they travel across the globe, they go to all sorts of arts events, and Marjorie even gives Bernie power of attorney. Over time, Marjorie becomes more and more possessive of Bernie, forcing him to be on her schedule nearly 24/7. Soon, Bernie can't stand being her lapdog anymore and shoot her in the back for times, killing her. Bernie hides her body in a storage freezer, and tries to pretend that everything is okay. As the most hated woman in town, Marjorie's absence is not quickly noticed. After some investigation by the District Attorney (Matthew McConaughey in an uncharacteristic unglamorous role, which he disappears into) Bernie is eventually found out and sent to trial. But Bernie's high standing in the community put into question whether or not he will be convicted. People in Carthage like Bernie so much they are willing to acquit him of murder.

       Jack Black is the star of the show here. He just plays the role of Bernie Tiede so delightfully. MacLaine is also very convincing as an old crotchety widow, every so often letting out the smallest hint of a smile from her permanent frown. McConaughey isn't too impressive, but it's nice to see him get out of the rom-com prison he seems to have locked himself in. The film is an interesting blend of documentary and non-documentary filmmaking. Interviews with actual Carthage residents about their actual feelings about Tiede, Marjorie, and the murder are sprinkled in between scenes of the actors acting. The people in the interviews are then even given parts in the rest of the film where they interact with Black, MacLaine, and McConaughey. This provides a sense of realism to the story that would otherwise be missing, as it is already hard to see Black and not imagine him being anyone else, but his performance almost makes it easy to do just that.