Bernie

[The Sparrow]

I found it amusing rather than funny. As I knew nothing about this film going in, I wondered what the heck it was going to be about when we are first introduced to Bernie.

What a strange man and an even stranger story. Shirley Maclaine was wonderful in her part and looked so like the lady she played too. I'm not a huge fan of Jack Black so it was interesting to see him downplaying a role and whilst I didn't laugh as loudly as some, he did keep me entertained. Nice to see Matthew McConaughey in an understated part too.

6.5/10

[June]

The only interesting thing about this movie is reading all of the varying comments. Waste of time and effort, pointless film with no real conviction to make it anything else. The main cast members were wasted within their roles, I quite enjoyed seeing Shirley Maclaine but did not find the story funny or endearing or whatever else it was perhaps meant to be. Can I have my hour and a half back please?

[stuartboy]

TOTAL TRIPE!

I could count the number of laughs on the hands of one arm in this pathetic excuse for a comedy. Talk about wooden acting. I actually presumed that was intentional and maybe the actual joke until the end when it all became clear that this was in fact a true story (supposedly).
I certainly could never bear a second helping of this. Only saving grace was plenty of outdoors shots of a part Texas that I'm unfamiliar with.

2/10

Dire

RIP

It states clearly at the start that it is a true story.

I too read this at the start, but given the nature of the film - comedy??? - it may well have been an untruth so I chose to remain sceptical on that. Even the blurb at the end was unconvincing. Beate has, however, confirmed for us all.

[Cortone]

Oh dear, what a poor film. However, had some sympathy for Bernie, as I might have put four bullets in the noisy people behind us if I had had an armadillo rifle...

[TheDude]

Actually really enjoyed this tonight for what it was, thought Jack Black did very well as Bernie. I had read a little bit about the true story behind the film so knew it wasn't exactly a comedy, but it still had a lot of Southern humour in there ("they got more tattoos than teeth!" ). Another fine performance from Matthew McConaughey too, so a solid 8/10 from me.

Instead of Crapadero, I opted for Wandsworth, the screen was half empty and it too had some sound-proofing issues, thumping drum beat seeping in from another screen. Seems to be a Cineworld speciality!

[Mesha]

I ventured down to the dreary Craperdero for this, what a mistake. We had the ususal queue till 6.20 then up to the rubbish screen, with surround sound i.e. the sound of the next door film As soon as it started,with Jack Black was singing along to an awful Country song - THE WHOLE SONG I knew I wasn't going to like it.

I left before the end, what was the point of staying when I had no interest in the film whatsoever? 2/10 for Texas

So you enjoyed it then eh Val? I am sure you have said that you hate that cinema so I was baffled when you said that you were going there x

[ahman]

Not the comedy as billed. Quite disappointed. Had to queue up for over half an hour before being let in a few minutes before film time. Don't think much of Cineworld Trocadero. Acting was good and the documentary style was interesting. Just about it. 5/10

[ladams888]

Saw this last night in Wandsworth. I really, really hated it. I wanted to walk out, but kept thinking it just had to get better. Well, it never did and I feel that I have lost 1hr 45 minutes of my life. I hadn't read up on the film beforehand and therefore had no idea what it was about - apart from the fact it was meant to be a comedy. It was not a comedy, it was just plain awful - Jack Black played a cheesy, crooning undertaker and Shirley Maclaine a simpering widow and the film plots their strange relationship. It was cringe-worthy from start to finish - made even the more strange as it was based on a true story. For me 1/10 and no, I wouldn't recommend to anyone, not even my worst enemy.

[trickydicky123]

From the 'true' story, I thought this was going to be a decent film, but boy oh boy how wrong can you be! The 'talking heads' had a couple of amusing lines, but apart from that it was just dreary. The only laughs Jack Black got were for his walk near the end of the film!................still, that's more laughs than he usually gets! Did try to nod off after half an hour, but his bloody singing and a particularly noisy Cineworld Liverpool put pa*d to that............and what was worse, I missed Bayern v Barca for this!!

[chelle1973]

Reading through some of these reviews, I'm quite glad I couldn't make it tonight and cancelled my tickets earlier today! I did actually think 'Jack Black Comedy? This isn't going to be good.' Shame for those who went and were disappointed but I guess we all need some tripe sometimes if only to judge the gems against!

I cancelled my ticket too! And yes we do need a little tripe in our lives now and then, still i am glad to have missed this film out.