The Trailer:
Director: Richard Linklater
Cast: Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, & Matthew McConaughey
Synopsis: Bernie (Jack Black), a lovable and well-liked mortician, becomes entangled with a morose widow, Marjorie (Shirley MacLaine). But when she becomes too controlling, Bernie takes great risks to rid himself of her.
This might be one of the most interestingly made films I've ever seen. Sometimes it is a true crime drama, other times it's like a documentary with dramatizations thrown in. There is commentary from real-life residents of the small Texas town of Carthage in which this true life story takes place. And it all just works so well together.
To elaborate on the synopsis a bit, this is the telling of Bernie and Marjorie's unorthodox, questionable relationship and how that ended in Bernie murdering her and, more interestingly, how the town stood behind him despite knowing the truth. The murder of Marjorie isn't a spoiler as it is implied quite early on in the movie. Besides, that's not the point of this film. Bernie is a dramatization of Bernie and Marjorie's relationship and not so much a who-dun-it mystery. And through commentary from real life Carthage residents it's apparent that everyone loved Bernie; he was a man of many talents and who was adored by all. Bernie was a giving man, constantly giving to charities, and buying things for people just to make them smile. He was heavily involved in the community and helping people with housework, taxes, whatever, you name it he would do it. Marjorie on the other hand wasn't very well liked.In fact most people of Carthage despised her because of her bitter disposition and her penchant for cruelty. What is so fascinating is how supportive everyone was of Bernie even after he admitted that he murdered Marjorie. It's as though they had the sentiment that Marjorie was a bitch and deserved what she got and that Bernie was doing everyone a service by killing her. Also due to this sentiment, nobody thought Bernie should be convicted; he is such a gentle and kind soul and didn't deserve punishment. Everyone except Dave Buck (Matthew McConauughey) that is, the DA on the case. Regardless of how everyone felt towards Bernie, he saw that a real crime was committed and wanted real punishment doled out.
The acting is fantastic. I've never doubted Jack Black's ability to enter and completely transform into a character whether that character be silly, serious, or whatever. And as Bernie, Jack Black just proved his knack for transformation through acting. Bernie is a complex man who, despite being respected and loved by all, is also shrouded in mystery. Nobody really knew much about him other than he was an endearing man who was totally walked all over by Marjorie. Jack Black really took the time to learn Bernie's mannerisms and mimic his speech inflection, and also really got into Bernie's head to understand his feelings in all times of his and Marjorie's relationship. And ohmysatan, Shirley MacLaine as Marjorie is phenomenal. She is the best at playing a mean, bitter old woman like her character in Steel Magnolias. The way she bosses Bernie around and is so cruel really adds to the town's, and us viewers, hatred of her. MacLaine just has that air about her that allows for us to really dislike her. And Matthew McConaughey is maybe the best acting talent to come out of Texas and it really shows here. As Dave Buck, McConaughey is witty, smart, and dedicated to punishing Bernie for the crime that he's committed. His resolute attitude about convicting Bernie despite how the town and he, himself, feels about Bernie is amazing and what any good DA should do.
This movie is listed as black comedy and so there is an air of humor about it from the dramatization to the funny commentary by the townsfolk, such as this lovely gentleman who describes the "five states" of Texas;
Stating that West Texas is just a "bunch of flat ranches" then up North is the "Dallas snobs with their Mercedes", then there's Houston "the carcinogenic coast", then San Antonio (whoop whoop!) "where the Tex meets the Mex", then the "People's Republic of Austin with a bunch of hairy legged women and liberal fruitcakes", and funniest is how he left out the panhandle which according to him "most people do", and then Carthage where "the south begins". Maybe those descriptions are only funny to Texans as I got a good laugh about it, especially the panhandle bit. Anyways, the commentary and the superb, perhaps exaggerated, acting all lend a hand to the humor of the movie that is about such a serious situation. After watching Bernie, it somehow expanded my already immense love of Texas, though I'm not sure why. I really enjoyed this film, it's a weird mix of fun and seriousness that makes it totally entertaining. Would I watch it again? Hell yes I would.
No comments:
Post a Comment