Bernie Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A sweet funeral director in Texas makes friends with a grumpy old lady, then accidentally turns her into popsicles for nine months, all while being too nice for his own good.

🍿 Bernie: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Bernie Tiede

Bernie Tiede (Jack Black) is introduced as a kind and caring assistant funeral director in the small town of Carthage, Texas. He is beloved by the community, particularly the elderly widows he comforts. He’s a talented singer and actively participates in church and community events, making him an indispensable part of Carthage.

Bernie and Marjorie Nugent

Bernie befriends Marjorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine), a wealthy but notoriously unlikeable widow. Initially, their relationship seems mutually beneficial. Marjorie enjoys Bernie’s companionship and assistance, while Bernie appreciates her generosity. They travel together and Bernie manages her affairs.

The Murder

As Marjorie becomes increasingly demanding and controlling, Bernie finds himself overwhelmed and trapped. In a moment of perceived desperation, he shoots Marjorie four times in the back. He then hides her body in a freezer and continues to use her money, donating some to the church and giving gifts to the townspeople.

Investigation and Trial

Months pass before Marjorie’s stockbroker becomes suspicious and reports her missing. District Attorney Danny Buck Davidson (Matthew McConaughey) investigates and discovers Marjorie’s body. Bernie confesses, but the townspeople are largely supportive of him, finding it difficult to believe he’s capable of such a crime. The trial is moved to a different county due to local bias.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Bernie Tiede (Jack Black): A beloved and helpful assistant funeral director in a small Texas town who commits a shocking crime.
• Marjorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine): A wealthy and unlikeable widow who becomes increasingly dependent on Bernie.
• Danny Buck (Matthew McConaughey): The district attorney determined to prosecute Bernie despite the town’s overwhelming support for him.
• Scrappy Holmes (Brady Coleman): A Carthage local who is interviewed about Bernie and Marjorie’s relationship.
• Lloyd Hornbuckle (Richard Robichaux): Marjorie’s stockbroker who grows suspicious when he can’t contact her.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Townsperson: “She would chew your ass out at the drop of a hat. I mean, she’d rip you a brand new, three-bedroom, two-bath, double-wide asshole. No problem.” – A townsperson frankly describing Marjorie Nugent’s unpleasant personality and how easily she would berate others.
• Danny Buck: “In Texas, you shoot someone, you don’t go fix their hair.” – Danny Buck expresses disbelief upon discovering Bernie maintained Marjorie’s appearance even after her death.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $9,206,470
• Worldwide Gross: $10,173,061

💥 Bernie Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘Bernie’! Jack Black’s performance was phenomenal – so different from his usual roles. The mockumentary style was unique and hilarious. The film’s depiction of small-town Texas felt so authentic. I was laughing and cringing at the same time! The courtroom scene was hilarious, the film had me rooting for someone who committed a crime.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in true crime stories”
  • “People who appreciate independent films”
  • “Fans of Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, and Matthew McConaughey”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Murder”
  • “Some strong language”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Linklater blends semi-documentary style with dark comedy in an exceptional way. Black proves he can act, McConaughy looks to be enjoying himself, and MacLaine is a welcome addition. The film gives you an interesting glimpse into small-town life and how the people there dealt with this unique situation.
• The New York Times: “Bernie is a unique black comedy with a bite, providing it with a rich script and memorable performances by three fine actors. Its deep south cinematography reminds me of the kind used in the drama Seven Days in Utopia, only more expressively used and healthier for the tone of the picture.
• Rolling Stone: “Casting Jack Black in the title role of this 2012 dark comedy turns out to be a masterstroke on the part of director Richard Linklater. It takes Black’s oddly discomfiting screen persona to make the character work as a protagonist of closeted complexity, and in turn, he delivers his most accomplished screen work to date.

Audience Reactions

Jack Black’s career-best performance as the overly-nice Bernie Tiede.: Viewers loved the dark humor and the blend of documentary and narrative styles.

The film’s unique portrayal of small-town Texas life.: Many people found the characters and the setting very relatable and entertaining.

Overall Consensus: Bernie is a darkly comedic gem with a standout performance by Jack Black, offering a unique and entertaining look at small-town life and a bizarre true story.

Awards

1. National Society of Film Critics Awards (Best Supporting Actor)- 2013

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on a true story that was originally detailed in a Texas Monthly magazine article.”
• “Richard Linklater incorporated real residents of Carthage, Texas, who knew Bernie Tiede and Marjorie Nugent, into the film as interviewees.”
• “Jack Black’s performance as Bernie Tiede is considered by many to be one of the best of his career, showcasing his range beyond comedic roles.”

🖥️ How to Watch Bernie?

Bernie is available for streaming rental or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability, as offerings may vary by region. Some platforms may offer the option to buy or rent.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Bernie, you might like these similar films:

• Fargo (1996): Both films blend dark comedy with true crime elements in a quirky, small-town setting.
• Weekend at Bernie’s (1989): While much more farcical, it shares the theme of dealing with a dead body in a comedic way.
• I, Tonya (2017): This film uses mockumentary elements to explore a true crime with conflicting perspectives and black humor.

🛒 Bernie Related Products

• Bernie (Blu-ray): Own the darkly hilarious true story on Blu-ray for the best picture and sound quality. Enjoy behind-the-scenes content and delve deeper into the real events that inspired the movie.
• Texas Monthly Magazine – ‘Midnight in the Garden of East Texas’: Read the original article that inspired the movie. Gain a deeper understanding of the real Bernie Tiede and the events surrounding the murder of Marjorie Nugent.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Jack Black as Bernie Tiede: A stylized collectible figure of Jack Black as Bernie, dressed in his signature funeral director attire.
• Texas Travel Guide: Plan your own trip to Carthage, Texas and visit the locations featured in the film. Discover the charm and beauty of East Texas, and experience the small-town atmosphere for yourself.

🎧 Soundtrack

Bernie features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Love Lifted Me” – performed by The Florida Boys
• “Amazing Grace” – performed by Jack Black

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Bernie Movie – Map of Texas

Want to know what Texans *really* think about Texas? This hilarious clip from ‘Bernie’ features a local describing the ‘5 States’ of Texas. Trust me, it’s funnier than it sounds!

✨ Rate