If you are from Texas you will probably enjoy and understand this movie a little more. If you are looking for a fall down laughing movie, this is not the one for you. It does have it's moments and Jack Black does a good job as the title character, but I wouldn't pay $10 to go see it again. In fact, I would be just as satisfied to wait for it on Netflix.

We went as a family. I talked them into it, the cast and the plot was the hook for me, but I really had no idea how cleverly the story would unfold and be told. The side interviews from "good Texan folk" were hilarious and so realistic, it really was hard to be disconnected from the story at any time. Beautiful filming, rich colors with very accurate styling of clothes and property made for a great tale. Great one liners and some most interesting people roped together as extras to make up the numbers. Go see it, Bernie has optimism unlimited despite the terrible things he has done!

I almost passed on this movie because typically Jack Black movies are not even in my 'to rent' category (Nacho Libre, anyone?). Who knew Jack Black could actually act AND sing? His acting was spot-on - not one goofy or absurd acting moment. He sang in a pure and sweet tenor that was totally appropriate for the material. The movie is about the murder of a wealthy and controlling woman (Shirley MacLaine) by her companion (Black) who is also the local assistant funeral director. While the subject is grim, the story is told with a sense of humor and features local residents so the accents are REAL (as opposed to New Yorker/Hollywood sub-par approximations) which adds the perfect level of authentication. Matthew McConaughey and his mother, Kay, are also in the movie; she should have a career in acting! Bernie was the first movie I'd seen in a long time that prompted spontaneous audience applause at the end, and the theater remained full until the last credit rolled. Very, very good!

Interesting film. Never knew where it was headed, but adored Jack and all the real life folks and their take on things. Fascinating. My husband didn't like it much. But I did. Clearly the director was in love with the town and the people in it and the story,about a man so beloved he could do no wrong, except for when he did. Loved the breakdown on the parts of Texas. If you're a Jack Black fan, you're in for a real treat.

This was a phenomenal portrayal of Small town East Texas. The style is very "Best in Show" or mock-umentary, but the things that the people in the town were saying were all Texas "ism"s and phrases that you're unlikely to hear outside of the state lines (maybe around the south, but still very well portrayed). It was funny, sweet, and worth seeing!! Jack Black's character is strange, but not in an annoying, Nacho Libre way. He is genuine and really did the real Bernie justice. (I had no idea this was based on a true story until the credits!). GREAT FLICK!