Bernie

I found the premise of this movie offensive. The cajones, to suggest that "Bernie" was anything other than a cold-blooded butcher; by some stretch of the imagination this might have been possible, until it is realized that over time, the real Bernie ripped his victim off to the tune of almost four million dollars prior to pumping four bullets into her. It has been suggested by Bernie's "friends" that he suffered from some kind of spontaneous mental illness, causing his behavior. That he simply "lost it," because his victim was such an unpleasant person. And why is this not plausible? Because if mental illness was the primary cause, he wasn't exhibiting it while targeting and then charming and then ripping off the old woman that he butchered. She obviously determined he was stealing her assets, and then confronted him, with lethal results. This garbage should have been boycotted. It is applauded primarily by the same Hollywood garbage that gave Roman Polanski a standing ovation.

Boring mockumentary-like storytelling that lacks the deepness of a true-crime story. Its script and editing clearly doesn’t understands comedic timing. It fails and a drama and as a comedy.

An unexpectedly gentle and comical true crime drama, with a superbly written and directed style. The documentary feel, including interviews, is the perfect way to tell this story without loading judgement on the subject or the community who rallied behind him. JB is outstanding by the way

It's not bad really.... it's just very boring

Prepare yourself for the story of one of America's most beloved and well-liked murderers! Berne Tiede is a mortician who is the most respected member of his community, until his relationship with Marjorie Nugent ends with him killing her for her abusiveness! Told from the perspectives of the real-life members of the community, this crime-comedy shows that anyone pushed to the limit can become a killer!

I've been coming to this site for decade to check out reviews. Today, this movie inspired me to create an account and pronounce that it was easily the worst movie I've ever sat through.

Just ok. Great cast, but just average.

Richard Linklater's Bernie will never be confused with cinematic art and probably won't change the way that you view the world, but it sure is entertaining. Bernie (Jack Black) is a funeral director in the small town of Carthage, Texas who befriends the intensely unlikeable Marjorie (Shirley MacLaine), a vile curmudgeon hated by all. Eventually, even the kind-hearted Bernie has had enough, causing him to pump four rounds into her back, much to the eventual disbelief of the town folk. Filled with subtle and dark humor, some very clever writing, and knock-out performances from MacLaine and Black (possibly his best role), Bernie is a breath of fresh air and probably Linklater's most underappreciated movie.

This movie is a gem. Jack Black is perfect and the directing is excellent. A very funny movie based on a true story that could only have this flavor in a small town in Texas.

Admittedly, a strange movie. I loved it. It's hard to talk about how bizarre it is without giving it away, but you grow to love these strange characters, despite their alarming behavior. I think the end result is that the viewer grows in compassion.