Columnist Kaitlyn McGarvey argues that the 2011 dark comedy starring Jack Black questions whether some crimes actually deserve to be punished.
There are few things in the world that are more dangerous than getting on the bad side of a good-natured person.
In his fantasy novel The Wise Man’s Fear, Patrick Rothfuss writes, “There are three things that all wise men fear: the sea in a storm, a night with no moon and the anger of a gentle man.”
Carthage, Texas, native Marjorie Nugent discovered that firsthand in 1996 when she crossed Bernie Tiede, a happy-go-lucky funeral director. The crime that resulted from their dispute was turned into a film 16 years later.
(And, yes, I did choose to watch this movie because it shares a name with one of the presidential candidates.)
Bernie, a provocative black comedy that stars Jack Black as the titular protagonist, tells the story of Bernie and Marjorie from beginning to end. Bernie, a charismatic funeral director, befriends Marjorie, a recluse who has become increasingly nasty since the passing of her husband. They become very good friends, but over time Marjorie becomes increasingly bitter and possessive of Bernie to the point that she convinces him to quit his job and become her full-time assistant and travel companion.
Through a shocking twist of events, Bernie ends up face-to-face with the justice system and pleads guilty to his crime. Despite his confession, however, his jury of peers refuses to condemn him. The movie mostly follows Bernie’s riveting journey through the Texas justice system.
Despite the exciting nature of the events played out in the movie, Bernie at no point turns into a compelling drama. The central conflict of the movie focuses mainly on the moral dilemma surrounding Bernie’s crime.
When bad people do bad things to good people, the necessity to punish them is not even a question. When good people do bad things to bad people, however, the warrant for punishment becomes harder to declare.
A large part of the movie’s shortcomings fall on Matthew McConaughey’s disappointing performance as Marjorie's lawyer, Danny Buck Davidson. His dry and confusingly exaggerated interpretation of the Southern lawyer seriously falls short of his two co-star’s performances.
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The character of Bernie Tiede is far different from Black’s usual line of work, and despite the stark contrast between the movie and his usual work, he is able to portray himself as a genuinely happy, God-fearing man. Shirley MacLaine also does a great job as his co-star, and the resemblance between her and Marjorie is striking.
At its best, Bernie is a quirky story about a quirky man who made one big mistake. At its worst, it is a drawn-out courtroom drama that misses the charm of the earlier parts of the film. The movie, though not a completely perfect piece, keeps its audience entertained throughout. Its offhand humor, vivid characters and lively atmosphere keep the performance fresh, even if it feels dull at times.
Bernie is a fantastic movie nearly anyone can enjoy. It is surely a must-see for anyone who is looking for a movie that challenges both mind and moral.
Kaitlyn McGarvey is a freshman studying journalism. Have you seen Bernie? Email her at km451814@ohio.edu or tweet @McGarveyKaitlyn.
