A small town real-life murder is the inspiration for the latest collaboration between School of Rock director Richard Linklater and actor Jack Black.
A fusion of documentary, drama and comedy, with actor and non-actors, Bernie adopts a tongue-in-cheek approach that seems appropriate for the eccentric characters and setting of what is a truly bizarre story.
Linklater isn't afraid of unconventional approaches to storytelling, with previous films including Before Sunrise, A Scanner Darkly and Dazed and Confused. A mockumentary may not the most respectful approach to the story of how 81-year-old Marjorie Nugent (MacLaine) was murdered by her companion Bernie Tiede (Black), but it's certainly is entertaining.
The idea is for the film to reflect small town gossip; the kind of talk that naturally happened when Marjorie Nugent was murdered in the small town of Carthage, East Texas. Real locals from around Carthage are featured, along with the occasional actor; they talk to camera about their impressions of Bernie and Marjorie and their unusual relationship. They were all given a script but were allowed to say the dialogue in their own words, which makes for genuine and at times highly amusing dialogue.
The first half of this movie focuses on setting the scene for the murder. It's longer than it needs to be as it's relatively easy to get your head around Bernie; a generous and thoughtful assistant funeral director who charms the local widows, wears his pants higher than his belt line, and directs the local musical productions.
