I didn't realise that this was based on a true story so the half talking head, half film combo seemed a bit off at times. After the fact, I just think this was billed wrong as it's a doc with dramatic reconstruction. Jack Black does well in this is a less crazy role that normal BUT because it's him it's a bit hard to fully fall in to the movie. MacLaine is very good, McConaughey excellent. Alright film, but didn't quite land for me.

Well played by Jack, Matthew, Shirley, and all of the towns folk. Well worth seeing.

This is made with a mixture of real and fake footage. It is a little boring at times, but an interesting experiment.

An excellent role for Black whose musical performances are delightful. I was hoping for some solid black humor, but this is a "comedy" because it treats the material lightly; I would only call one scene funny (upselling a casket). It's unfortunate that many of the interviews—which dominate the film—are dull and repetitive.

Great performances, but once it reaches a certain point there's sort of nowhere else to go.

A decent mockumentary/courtroom drama hybrid that has great acting from Jack Black and Matthew McConaughey. The story is really hard to believe because it's so absurd, yet I was shocked to find out it was a true story.

Black was great [his best, no question] but the real star for me was McConaughey [never thought I'd see the day].

An interesting wikipedia page does not make a interesting film.

Jack Black is surprisingly restrained and I've enjoyed some of Linklater's work, but this did very little for me. It didn't seem to have much suspense, and the real-life DA may be right that an actual murder isn't great fodder for a dark comedy, but after reading Linklater saying "it reads boring [...] but they'll be funny characters.[...] I could just imagine the accents." I think maybe I just don't appreciate silly-sounding speech enough.

If Texas accents, slightly effeminate men, and Jack Black's mustache make you laugh, then Bernie is the film for you.

McConaughey DOESN*T take his shirt off? What a waste of time.

Jesus, what an extraordinarily fascinating film. It has a hell of a lot to say about human behaviour and you don't even need to pay close attention to pick up on it.

Went in without much research thinking this would be a run of the mill dark comedy and was flabbergasted when the credits rolled. Excellent performances all around (not that McConaughey hasn't played a lawyer before), I believe this may be my favorite of Jack Black's in particular.

Nice to see a comedy where you don't just laugh on two and four!

Jack Black's best acting yet, with a really interesting -- if occasionally clunky -- story.

Linklater brings East Texas to life with documentary-style interviews. Black disappears into his role and makes us love cold-blooded murderer Bernie Tiede as much as the citizens of Carthage did. McConaughey is a bit much; MacLaine maybe not quite bitchy enough.

an enjoyable dramedy based on true stories.what makes "Bernie" exciting is how good the satire can be toward small town people. the story was told in such manner which has made it more interesting to see.nevertheless, it conveys Jack Black ability as both comedian and Actor. indeed,he could carried it really well. Mathew McConaughey also help out light up the movie with his usual charms.also with the always welcome Shirley Macline. with good satires and likeable cast, "Bernie" is worth a wat

Jack Black's best performance by far - who would have believed that he can actually act! an interesting true story done in an very effective way.

Jack Black is great in this movie. This is a different role for Black and he really excels with it. The story is simple but fascinating, based on real events. The main reason to watch the film is Black's performance. There are also some funny moments with the towns people characters in the movie.

A very amusing, if not laugh-out-loud funny, comedy, with an interesting twist. It's curious to examine a community where a man could blatantly commit murder and be more or less given a pass because of his stature and likability, and the cruelty of his victim. Jack Black commits to the wholesomeness of Bernie, rather than trying to give him a creepy edge; it comes naturally anyway. Also, 2012: Year of Matthew McConaughey.

Not at all the kind of film I was expecting. Jack Black is surprisingly mellow and Matt McConaughey keeps his shirt on. I was pleasantly surprised how engaging it was.

The movie is a really enjoyable movie. Jack Black does a wonderful role of playing the lead character Bernie. Shirley MacLaine does a good job as well. The movie will charm you the way Bernie charmed the town of Carthage. A must see movie.

Great set up that falls apart in it's third act.

Bernie is a great film, and should definitely be seen. The directing, the acting, the writing - all of it adds up to make a very thought-provoking and unique, yet not completely humorless, film.

Bernie is a strange silly little dark comedy. I was impressed with the acting, mainly MacLaine, McConaughy and even Jack Black's performance.

Cool stuff. :D Fun. :) Very cool idea, great characters. McConaughey with one his best performances in this one. LOVED the tie wipe. :D:D:D Jack Black obviously being really cool as well.

Movie 1200. Viewed August 22, 2012. Linklater's portrait of small-town East Texas life sets this apart from other quirky black comedies and instead puts it in the realm of great film. This is probably Jack Black's best performance, too.

I really wasn’t sure about this film for the first half. There was just a lot of set-up of the character of Bernie and it took a while for the real plot to kick in. I guess I was expecting it to be more of a straight-up comedy too, but while it has some funny moments, it’s not really a comedy. I thought the second half was really good. It posed some interesting moral questions and opinions. Jack Black was fantastic - it was definitely one of his best performances.