BernieMovie Reviews

  • Go Based on 689 reviews
    Breakdown:
  • Must Go!
    Written May 20, 2012

    Bernie

    by fostersplace

    LOVED THIS MOVIE!!!! Local and famous actors were all excellent and true to East Texas ways. Writing, directing, cinematography -- all wonderful and hope it gets some awards.

    Only wished I'd gotten there for the movie only. Was deeply disturbed at the level of TV/loud commercials played 10 minutes or more before the movie started! Yuck!!

    • 41 out of 67 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written April 28, 2012

    Jack Black at His Best!

    by gothame

    Brilliant and fast paced, this film is witty, at turns dark, at others uproariously funny and deeply poignant. The cast delivers performances that are uniformly outstanding. Based on a true story, the film subversively questions right and wrong in a way that will linger with the viewer.

    • 39 out of 67 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written May 7, 2012

    The New Jack Black

    by BonVie

    I almost passed on this movie because typically Jack Black movies are not even in my 'to rent' category (Nacho Libre, anyone?). Who knew Jack Black could actually act AND sing? His acting was spot-on - not one goofy or absurd acting moment. He sang in a pure and sweet tenor that was totally appropriate for the material. The movie is about the murder of a wealthy and controlling woman (Shirley MacLaine) by her companion (Black) who is also the local assistant funeral director. While the subject is grim, the story is told with a sense of humor and features local residents so the accents are REAL (as opposed to New Yorker/Hollywood sub-par approximations) which adds the perfect level of authentication. Matthew McConaughey and his mother, Kay, are also in the movie; she should have a career in acting! Bernie was the first movie I'd seen in a long time that prompted spontaneous audience applause at the end, and the theater remained full until the last credit rolled. Very, very good!

    • 38 out of 67 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written April 28, 2012

    Bernie Rocks!

    by llbnyny

    Jack Black's performance is the best of his career. The supporting cast, especially the townspeople, are played to east Texas perfection. Richard Linklater has created a dark, comic "dramedy" that is an entertaining ride from the first frame. Don't miss it!

    • 29 out of 51 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written June 6, 2012

    Bernie - a different kind of true story

    by clive65

    We went as a family. I talked them into it, the cast and the plot was the hook for me, but I really had no idea how cleverly the story would unfold and be told. The side interviews from "good Texan folk" were hilarious and so realistic, it really was hard to be disconnected from the story at any time.

    Beautiful filming, rich colors with very accurate styling of clothes and property made for a great tale. Great one liners and some most interesting people roped together as extras to make up the numbers. Go see it, Bernie has optimism unlimited despite the terrible things he has done!

    • 18 out of 29 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written May 1, 2012

    Based on a true story!!

    by Angie914

    I saw Bernie at the Angelika theater in NYC. The movie is based on an actual Bernie. The movie was funny. But don't expect it to be your typical Jack Black silly funny movie.

    • 38 out of 70 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written September 27, 2012

    Authentic Texas Tale

    by nktex

    Very compelling characters, authentically Texan.

    Jack Black was genuine and highly effective playing Bernie. Exceeded my expectations, and I have been a fan of some of his other work.

    Shirly MacLaine gave another wonderful performance. As expected.

    Weaving in local citizens yielded a ring of truth, and also a good look at the accepting and compassionate hearts very common in this part of the country.

    I have one unanswered question: Did the Sherriff get re-elected after the trial?

    • 6 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written May 8, 2012

    So Clever!

    by janisutx

    Bernie was so refreshing and original. Please don't miss it. The cast, writers and director should be so proud of their work. It was so funny in spite of the subject matter. I loved the real people of Carthage, Texas. They made Bernie a real winner!

    • 32 out of 58 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written June 3, 2012

    Bernie

    by roseombre

    Well, this is a very different kind of movie; the way it was filmed. Lots of narrative. I found myself laughing out loud many many times throughout the movie. Little kids? No, leave them at home. This is going to be a cult movie with people quoting lines. Both the leads were excellent choices. But the odd people stole the show! Go see it!

    • 15 out of 24 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written June 15, 2012

    A subtle, off-kilter masterpiece

    by

    This film contains the best acting I've ever seen from Jack Black, and one of the most subtle, realistic and sympathetic portrayals of small town Southern life I've ever ever seen on film.

    • 11 out of 16 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written July 8, 2012

    Bernie, stupid and inane.

    by Gypsyjon

    This is one of the silliest, dumb movies I have seen in years. A total waste of time and money. Filled with stupid, supposed to be funny rural sayings. Way off the mark, do not waste you time on this one.

    • 9 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written June 9, 2012

    Not Bad

    by ajseay

    If you are from Texas you will probably enjoy and understand this movie a little more. If you are looking for a fall down laughing movie, this is not the one for you. It does have it's moments and Jack Black does a good job as the title character, but I wouldn't pay $10 to go see it again. In fact, I would be just as satisfied to wait for it on Netflix.

    • 13 out of 21 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written April 28, 2012

    Love Jack Black!

    by Show Me Move Me Change Me

    Interesting film. Never knew where it was headed, but adored Jack and all the real life folks and their take on things. Fascinating. My husband didn't like it much. But I did. Clearly the director was in love with the town and the people in it and the story,about a man so beloved he could do no wrong, except for when he did. Loved the breakdown on the parts of Texas. If you're a Jack Black fan, you're in for a real treat.

    • 30 out of 55 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written June 14, 2012

    AWESOME

    by txstefani

    This was a phenomenal portrayal of Small town East Texas. The style is very "Best in Show" or mock-umentary, but the things that the people in the town were saying were all Texas "ism"s and phrases that you're unlikely to hear outside of the state lines (maybe around the south, but still very well portrayed). It was funny, sweet, and worth seeing!! Jack Black's character is strange, but not in an annoying, Nacho Libre way. He is genuine and really did the real Bernie justice. (I had no idea this was based on a true story until the credits!). GREAT FLICK!

    • 12 out of 19 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written May 13, 2012

    Excellent character study of small town Texas

    by kappumini

    My husband and I watched this movie last night, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We loved the depictions of different flavors of people in small town Texas. Reminded my of "Waiting for Guffman" "No country for old men" in its in-depth portrayal of people.

    • 30 out of 55 found this review helpful.
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Tweets About Bernie

TruBlu Linklater's Bernie was a little gem. Shame it got lost in the heap last year. Jack Black was stellar.

12 hours ago.

ladybankstein Just watched Richard Linklater's 'Bernie' The film/doc was fascinating and I was shocked it was true story. Watch & sign the petition.

2 days ago.

Rough_Kut The first #Friday movie was only two years removed from Weekend at Bernie's? Wow.

3 days ago.

ThanhmaiUK On paper it was a great sounding combination. In reality this film with De Niro and Pacino is terrible. Off for more Bernie Gunther instead

3 days ago.

unusualyou13 Your Honor, the reason I put them under citizens arrest was they said Weekend At Bernie's was a crappy movie.

3 days ago.

Bernie Featured Trailers + Video Clips

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Exclusive Features

Cast Interview Exclusive Cast Interview Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine talk about corresponding with the real-life Bernie and... what's this about Jack doing a dance for Shirley one night?