Dreadfully Boring

What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

.Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

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.

As I watched this film I became confused. It seemed to be being played as the standard comedy lampooning rednecks. However, there were moments of genuine emotion that didn't fit in a comedy. I was going to categorize it as one those movies that can't make up its mind what it wants to be until I watched the final credits and learned that it was based on a true story! It didn't take too much online research to learn that the filmmakers, apparently led by director Linklater, had completely slanted the facts of the case for the purposes of the movie. Although no one disputes the fact that Bernie shot Mrs. Nugent in the back, the movie portrays him as a saintly do-gooder who killed in a moment of justifiable weakness. The Nugent family is devastated by Maclaine's caricaturish portrayal of Mrs. Nugent. D.A. Buck, who was fulfilling his legal duties, is portrayed as an overweening publicity hound. Nugent family members are portrayed as grasping ingrates. This is the sort of distortion and outright lying that Oliver Stone does so well. I also find it astounding that the filmmakers maintained the actual names of all the characters involved in this tawdry tale. Why there weren't multiple lawsuits I don't know. Other annoying things about the movie are the standard sneering and patronizing Hollywood attitude toward Christianity and small town southern life. All the townies are rubes and Christian belief is treated as a joke. Also, no one wants to see homosexuals pilloried, but the opposite tack - lampooning those who don't approve of homosexuality - is of a piece with the movie's prejudices. I would have given the movie low marks anyway for its ambivalence, but learning of the film's mendacity makes me urge avoidance - seeing it will only encourage them.

Richard Linklater is one of cinema's most important and influential filmmakers there is today and this film, Bernie really shows those traits. He really know how to make films based off small towns and their characters. The story that he tackles here is a really unique and strange premise, and that works in the movie's favor. The film is charming, if not somewhat eccentric. The movie has gotten me interested in the real-life situation, so it may be time to hit the research books.Linklater's film is about a man named Bernie Tiede who happens to be this well-loved man that is highly involved with the community. He is even able to befriend an elderly woman named Marjorie Nugent, who is despised in the town of Carthage, Texas. But one day, something clicks in Bernie and he kills Marjorie. The townspeople are shocked after hearing about Bernie being arrested.Jack Black gives his best performance in years. He was magnificent as Bernie and although he gave up a creepy vibe at times, he truly flourished as Bernie. He did a good job in turning into a man who doesn't seem to realize the grave consequences of his actions. Shirley MacLaine does a great job as the elderly Marjorie, and did I ever hate her character! Matthew McConaughey does a good job as the prosecutor who is coming under fire for convicting Bernie.Overall, Bernie is a wacky crime film, but it's entertaining. It's also funny, but not in the riotous kind of way. More of an amusing chuckle kind of way.....which is a great thing. I liked the style of the film and how it was filmed mockumentary-style. The real townspeople being interviewed was a good heads up on Linklater's part. Another reason why he is such a magnificent filmmaker. A very good, unique film. I rate this film 9/10.

At first, upon hearing about this, didn't have high expectations at all. Not a big fan of Jack Black, and the title Bernie just makes it seem like a ridiculous raunchy comedy. But then reviews were pretty great, and I raised my expectations a lot. I kind of wanted more black comedy in it, as it is, it mostly plays straight as a drama with some darkly comedic moments. Jack Black, though, is the real revelation here. I had no idea he had this in him, and it's a pretty fantastic performance. Matthew McConaughey is also pretty fun here, playing his character as straight as the film requires but also making him really funny. This is some strong work.