Just watched this movie and wow…Man…Jack Black has really connected himself to a good script and proves that he can do a ton more than Gulliver’s Travels or Year One. Thank god, I was getting worried about the man.
This film was mentioned recently in a thread about (I think it was) surprisingly good movies; you’re not the only one who was impressed. The role of Bernie could easily have been overdone; instead, JB took it just far enough, played it to perfection.
He played it pitch perfect and just WASNT Jack Black. His character felt so real, especially compared to his woman friend IMO. Overall, the film was just well done, too.
I agree. He nailed that part.
I saw it and loved it back when it was in the theaters. I fear too many people are going to avoid it because of his previous movies.
Note: Equipoise has been praising this movie, and Jack Black’s performance, since it came out, saying that Black should get a Best Actor nomination for it. I agree.
Really good. As a southerner and someone who has relatives from that part of the world (next town over) I was in stitches. Recommended it to my Mom, her reaction - “Interesting.” Dear old Mom! It WAS interesting and Jack Black deserves the nomination.
I watched it in the People’s Republic of Austin when visiting my family. We all loved it. I hate to rave too much in reviews, but it wasn’t what I thought at all. Jack Black was good. McConaughey was good. Really enjoyed it.
Haven’t seen the movie so can’t comment, but all the previous Jack Black movies I’ve seen had Jack Black playing the same character: namely, Jack Black. Are you saying he’s actually different in this movie?
See post #3. 
Yes. The movie is based on real events and he’s portraying a real person. It’s a totally different role for him.
Wow. I’d never heard of it until I read about it here.
At first, you keep thinking “that’s Jack Black” but before long JB disappears into the role.
Shirley MacLaine, on the other hand, might as well hang a “Shirley MacLaine” sign around her neck throughout the film. As usual. (I can’t stand her, and have always considered her to be a lousy actress.)
BTW, as I mentioned in the other thread, the AARP named “Bernie” one of the best movies of the year. To me, that speaks well for JB’s performance.
Jack Black and Matthew McConaughey have both, in the past, caused me to bitterly regret watching their movies. Previous to Bernie, I hated everything Jack Black ever did except for King Fu Panda I and Tropic Thunder. Previous to Bernie, I hated everything I ever saw with McConaughey in it. They were, as far as I was concerned, two walking warning signs for “sucktastic movie ahead!” I was amazed, after a friend insisted I sit down and watch Bernie with her, at how good they were in that movie. The question is, do they have future good performances lurking within them? Or, was this the high water mark for both of them as actors?
While I loved Black’s performance, I hated McConaughey’s. I thought that he overplayed that crap out of that role. I liked Shirley MacLaine though.
I saw and enjoyed Bernie. But I also enjoyed Jack Black in some of his more over-the-top performances, such as in High Fidelity. And I thought he was good and more subdued in The Holiday and The Big Year.
Shirley could’ve been a lot more subdued. It just felt forced the whole time, IMO.
I watched this movie today, just because of this thread. Thank you. I really enjoyed it.
More than that, the people being interviewed about Bernie (other than McConaughey) are the real residents of the town.
Discovered this movie last night going over the Golden Globe nominations. I may have to see it now.
I know. That was one of the best parts.