Bernie (2011)

Over the Thanksgiving break I watched the movie Bernie, directed by Richard Linklater, and starring Jack Black, Shirley McLaine, and Matthew McConaughey.  The film is based on a true story about a murder in a small town in east Texas.  In the film Jack Black plays Bernie, a sweet man well liked by everyone in town.  Bernie is the perfect Christian, always helping everyone out.  Shirley McLaine plays Marjorie, an old bitch.  This horrible old woman is detested by everyone and was even sued by her own granddaughter.  In the film, Bernie befriends Marjorie but the friendship quickly become a one-sided, manipulative relationship.  One afternoon when he can no longer handle Marjorie's bossy demeanor, Bernie snaps and shoots Marjorie four times in the back.  Horrified by his own actions, Bernie then hides Marjorie's body in her freezer.  The murder remains undiscovered for nine months (because nobody else visits Marjorie) and when the old woman's body is finally found by the police Bernie admits immediately to the murder.

More disturbing than the idea of shooting an old woman four times and hiding her in a freezer, is the fact that nobody in this small Texas town wants to arrest Bernie.  Many citizen flat out deny that Bernie is the murderer, despite his own confession, and those who do think he shot Marjorie really don't mind because they love Bernie and never cared for Marjorie in the first place.  It is astounding to me that a known murderer can be so easily forgiven, and yet the film makes this forgiveness seem almost natural. After killing Marjorie, Bernie uses her extensive funds to buy people cars and houses.  He helps the local school and renovates the church.  Even after the gruesome murder, Bernie continues to help other people and never uses Marjorie's money for his own gain.

Most of the movie is shot in the form of interviews with town citizens.  While the viewer does witness the murder and Bernie's court case, most of the time we are introduced to Bernie and Marjorie through the stories told by other town members.  This film technique was interesting, because it made the film feel almost like a documentary.  Unfortunately, I also think this interview technique slowed the film down, and I would have enjoyed the movie more if it had been at a slightly faster pace.

Overall, I would recommend this film, but be prepared for a creepy experience.  Knowing that this murder occurred in real life, and that an actual town wanted to ignore a dead woman's body found in a freezer is a disturbing thought.