A Quirky Slice of Texas Life with “Bernie”

Alright, have you heard of that film “Bernie”? It’s one of those curious little films you might stumble across, oddly enough, just like bumping into an old buddy in the streets of Stockholm—completely unexpected, but you’re glad it happened.

When you hear names like Jack Black and Matthew McConaughey, you don’t really think of small-town Texas, do you? But here we are. Jack Black, who’s mostly known for his crazy antics and comedy, takes a surprisingly different turn as Bernie Tiede. Now, Bernie’s character is something else. He’s like that peculiar uncle you only see at Christmas who sends you postcards from far-flung places you can’t even find on a map.

But this performance? It’s kind of like watching Zlatan play hockey. You don’t expect it, but it’s fascinating and, strangely enough, it works! And then you’ve got Shirley MacLaine—legend status, right? She’s playing this scary elderly lady, who’s got all the sass of an aunt at a midsummer crayfish party.

Director Richard Linklater, who brought us “Dazed and Confused” and “Boyhood,” has this knack for showcasing regular folks and their peculiarities. This film, strangely inspired by true events, is no different. I remember watching it a few years back, around Easter, actually—or maybe it was midsummer—when I was idly munching on knäckebröd and thinking about how even the most outlandish stories can be surprisingly relatable.

It’s funny how Bernie manages to balance dark humor with heart, much like our intricate relationships with neighbors in Swedish towns—ya love ‘em, but only sometimes. I was laughing one moment, then oddly pensive the next. There’s a bit of a lesson in there about trust and friendship, channeled through crazy events.

So, grab some popcorn, maybe a cold beer or a soda, and let Bernie take you on this wild ride through Texas. It’s odd and maybe a bit unsettling, yet delightfully entertaining. And who knew Jack Black could sing hymns like nobody’s business? That alone is worth the watch.

Check the trailer below