In the tiny, rural town of Carthage, TX, assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede was one of the town’s most beloved residents. He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie, so it came as no surprise when he befriended Marjorie Nugent, an affluent widow who was as well known for her sour attitude as her fortune. Bernie frequently traveled with Marjorie and even managed her banking affairs. Marjorie quickly became fully dependant on Bernie and his generosity and Bernie struggled to meet her increasing demands. Bernie continued to handle her affairs, and the townspeople went months without seeing Marjorie. The people of Carthage were shocked when it was reported that Marjorie Nugent had been dead for some time, and Bernie Tiede was being charged with the murder.
Starring: Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, Shirley MacLaine
Director: Richard Linklater
Reviews:
90% on the TomatoMeter
'Richard Linklater's Bernie is a gently told and unexpectedly amusing true-crime comedy that benefits from an impressive performance by Jack Black.'
San Francisco Chronicle
Reviewed by: Mick LaSalle
You should have the opportunity to experience the movie the way I did, in complete ignorance, enjoying its every weird turn.
Time Out New York
Reviewed by: Joshua Rothkopf
Matthew McConaughey finally locates his perfect métier as the town's Fordian skeptic, a district attorney who smells a rat.
Portland Oregonian
Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
Slight but terrific. The intertwining of the sharply tuned actors and the guileless (and often hilarious) townspeople is seamless, the tale is sometimes despairing but never heavy, and the blend of drama, comedy and music is brisk and fresh.
Christian Science Monitor
Reviewed by: Peter Rainer
The innocence of the townspeople is weirdly uplifting. They love their Bernie so much that they seem even more blinkered than he is.
The New York Times
Reviewed by: Manohla Dargis
Gaudily vibrant, at times morbidly funny.
Los Angeles Times
Reviewed by: Betsy Sharkey
This is writer-director Richard Linklater at his wry, whimsical best, and considering he was the filmmaker behind 1993's "Dazed and Confused," that makes the movie something of a milestone.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Reviewed by: Calvin Wilson
Bernie could easily have gone horribly wrong. But Black and Linklater finesse this tricky material with as much virtuosity as Bernie brings to that broccoli.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Reviewed by: Steven Rea
Weirdly funny, inspiring film.
Chicago Sun-Times
Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
I had to forget what I knew about Black. He creates this character out of thin air, it's like nothing he's done before, and it proves that an actor can be a miraculous thing in the right role.
New York Post
Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
Jack Black gives the performance of his career in the title role of Bernie, under the pitch-perfect direction of his "School of Rock'' director, Richard Linklater, who expertly crafts a black comedy with a deceptively sunny surface. It's the best movie I've seen all spring.
New York Observer
Reviewed by: Rex Reed
It's a delectable slice of Southern Gothic humor, a side show of rednecks and Bubbas and Aunt Tooties.
NPR
Reviewed by: Jeannette Catsoulis
The wonder of Black's performance here is its empathy and balance: inasmuch as he can disappear into any role, he dissolves into this one with no hint of mocking remove. It's a beautiful thing to see.
Admission Prices*:
General: $9.00
Seniors, Students and Active Military: $8.00
Members: $7.00
Children 12 and under: $6.00
Bargain Matinee Prices (all shows before 6:00pm)
General: $7.00
Members: $5:00
Children 12 and under: $4.00
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*All prices include a 50¢ Preservation Fee that goes directly into our capital account for films.
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