Bernie (2012)

Based on a true story, a mortician (Jack Black) is a popular and beloved member of a small Texas community. He becomes the inseparable companion of the town's wealthiest woman (Shirley MacLaine), who's more than 40 years older than him but also intensely disliked by the town. Still, the town is shocked when he is arrested for her murder. The film starts off promisingly with its subtly sly humor but it starts circling on itself until you fear the film might all be exposition. It's essentially a flimsy one joke movie that peaks far too early. I can't quite decide if the director Richard Linklater (whose ME AND ORSON WELLES is woefully underseen) is condescending towards his small town subjects or displays an agreeable affection. I almost wish the film hadn't been based on a true story, it's somehow easier to laugh at a dark comedy when it isn't a real murder, when a real woman was killed and not just a figment of the writer's imagination. Jack Black is superb! An intricate, mannered performance that's near flawless. I'd be more impressed with MacLaine if I hadn't seen her give the same performance in STEEL MAGNOLIAS and Matthew McConaughey as a prosecuting attorney is just fine but he was better in this year's THE PAPERBOY. Worth seeing for Black's performance alone