Missed Masterpiece #4: Bernie

Missed Masterpiece #4 – Bernie

Starring: Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, Shirley Maclaine

Director: Richard Linklater

Running Time: 104 mins

It is entirely possible that very few of the people reading this have even heard of Bernie, which is a real shame as it was certainly one of the more pleasant surprises of 2012, and arguably trumped every other comedy that year. It almost went unnoticed when it was released which is unusual for a film consisting of Jack Black, Oscar winner Shirley Maclaine and Matthew McConaughey, at the start of the ‘McConaissance’ era which would shoot him into Oscar winning stardom.

Bernie tells the true story of Bernie Tiede, a mild mannered mortician, beloved by the community of Carthage, Texas who forms a friendship with, recently widowed, Marjorie Nugent. Nugent frequently acts abusively towards Bernie, which results in him murdering her.

Considering the subject matter the film could have backfired dramatically but the act of murder from the central character takes a backseat and we’re treated to a study on death and murder but also how a society acts within a small town, closed community where everyone seems to know everyone.

This is made even more effective as the entire film is shot as part mockumentary style with floating heads of the various townsfolk during the aftermath of Bernie’s trial, which adds to the sense of community spirit. The rest of the film focuses on the relationship between Bernie and Marjorie followed by the investigation McConaughey’s Buck Davidson.

But this doesn’t in any way detract from the comedy, but you’ll struggle to find a film that grabs its humour from anywhere darker. A particular highlight is the titular character in a conversation with Nugent about arranging her funeral and how it will be the ‘event of the season in Carthage.’ The comedy remains jet black throughout the entire film with the entire community struggling to accept Bernie’s crimes often rallying to his defence.

Black’s performance is darkly comic who remains a strange smiling mortician, which is a welcome reprieve from Jack Black, being Jack Black. It’s about as far away from a ‘generic’ Jack Black performance, showing more of a High Fidelity –esque performance than Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny. He went on to pick up a Golden Globe nomination in this his career best performance, which in an enormous contrast to his last collaboration with director Richard Linklater School of Rock.

It’s understandable that the film didn’t get an enormous release, with a tiny budget of just $6 million (taking in $9 million), but I urge you to take the time out to watch it. Do not be put off by the presence of Black, he is *deep breath* the best thing about the film. More of the same in the future JB, please.