Movie Review "Bernie"

This movie is based on the life of Bernie Tiede of Carthage, Texas. Bernie (Jack Black) is a somewhat effeminate assistant funeral director who quickly becomes woven into the social, business and church fabric of this small East Texas town. He becomes involved with a surly wealthy local widow (Shirley MacLaine) who ends up dominating every aspect of his life. The film is done as a sort of documentary, utilizing many colorful local characters as performers and narrators. Jack Black successfully captures the way of life, attitude, mannerisms and speech of East Texans. This is his best performance to date. There was occasional bad language and no nudity, sex or gore.