Jack Black surprises audiences in his role as Bernie

By Grace Calhoun

HUB staff writer —

Bernie. Definitely one of the most unique movies of its time. In this quirky comedy, Jack Black plays the role of Bernie Tiede, a beloved member of the town of Carthage Texas. Tiede is known for his friendliness: he participates in the local theatre, teaches the local Sunday school, and can always be found giving motivational speeches to a little kid’s sports team, or just plain giving.

It’s no surprise then, that Bernie eventually befriends Miss Majorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine), the town’s ice-queen. Majorie speaks to none of her family, shuts everyone out of her life, and isn’t kind to a soul within a million miles of herself. Bernie easily becomes an irreplaceable part of her life, he runs errands for her, files her nails, keeps her company.

Still, everyone just thinks “that’s Bernie!” just that nice guy who will do anything for anyone.

Then comes the shocker: Majorie stops trolling around town causing mayhem with her meanness, she quiets down a lot and according to Bernie, (basically her personal assistant and spokesperson) she’s moved to a retirement home. Except, no later do we find out that Majories been dead for a good nine months, and the number one suspect is none other than Bernie himself.

“Bernie” is nothing short of a masterpiece. If you are willing to be open-minded about the way in which director Richard Linklater goes about telling the story, “Bernie” will prove to be the most enjoyable comedic black comedy in the industry.

And bravo, bravo, and then some for Jack Black’s performance. Before “Bernie” I had only seen play the most ridiculous roles in movies like “School of Rock” and “Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny” as irresponsible and ridiculously rock-enthused characters. But never before have I seen Black play a god-fearing, effeminate mortician and kill it and that. There could not have been a more perfect person to play Bernie Tiede.

It’s definitely more of an intellectual comedy, don’t expect anything like “The Hangover”. Basically, if Alfred Hitchcock directed a comedy, it would be “Bernie”. But all in all, if you have the time, Bernie is a must see.