In August, Millennium Home Media will bring Bernie to Blu-ray. Directed by Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused), this blackly comic docudrama tells the story of Bernie Tiede (Jack Black, High Fidelity), the gentle assistant funeral director in Carthage, Texas, who strikes up an unusual relationship with wealthy widow Marjorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine, The Apartment).
Marjorie's oft-unpleasant demeanor has ostracized her among the majority of Carthage's residents, but Bernie emerges as her most trusted confidante, accompanying Marjorie on vacations and handling her business and personal affairs. But her venom curdles their union, and Marjorie ultimately turns up dead. Much to the surprise of the local district attorney (Matthew McConaughey, The Lincoln Lawyer), however, the town rallies behind Bernie, despite overwhelming evidence implicating him as Marjorie's killer.
While the technical specifications are still unknown for Millennium's Blu-ray, the disc contains a number of bonus supplements, such as:
True Story to Film behind-the-scenes featurette
The Gossips featurette on Carthage's real-life townspeople
Special performance of "Amazing Grace" by Jack Black
No interesting special features? Then why was Blu-ray invented for? Was there a lack of space? I don't think so. Too bad, unless it's $5, it's a no-buy for me.
Hmm... I used to love Jack Black films, but lately, they've been practically unwatchable. With him back with Richard Linklater, this could be a return of Black to good films.
I saw this about a month ago. I really enjoyed it. A very dark comedy, with excellent performances from all three leads. Jack Black was very good, with this being probably the most challenging roll he has done. The mix of actors and real life towns people also worked very well. I'll be buying this day 1. Highly recommended if you are a fan of the cast or dark comedy. At the current Amazon price its well worth the purchase.
Linklater's best live action film since Dazed and Confused, and Black, although still a character actor in this film, plays his role refreshingly straight. This may be an award-worthy performance for him. The real stars of the film, however, are the people of Carthage, actual witnesses to the events that this movie portrays.
It's not top-tier Linklater, but it's a very solid, highly enjoyable film. I'm really angry that the studio didn't give this one any real promotion, because it had a great cast and could have been a sleeper success. Texan viewers will especially love this.
