The dark comedy movie, “Bernie”, starring Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey, about a small, Texas town murder, has received three separate Critics’ Choice Award nominations — Best Comedy, Best Actor in a Comedy and Best Actress in a Comedy.
Paris native, Judd Payne, is the Head of Production for Los Angeles based production company, Wind Dancer Films, which was a lead producer of the flick.
Since it was released under Winder Dancer Films, he too celebrates the recieving of the Critics’ Choice Award nominations for this incredible film.
Jack Black has also been nominated for a Golden Globe Award — the most prestigious award amongst movie stars — for his role in “Bernie” for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Drama.
The movie is based on a Texas Monthly magazine article that was written by Skip Hollandsworth and directed by Texas movie icon, Richard Linklater (Dazed & Confused, The Newton Boys, School of Rock), both receiving writing credits for the film.
Taking place in the small, east Texas town of Carthage, the very true story of assistant funeral director, Bernie Tiede and his unlikely friendship with the affluent, Marjorie Nugent — which ends in murder — is quite unlike any other story.
Bernie, who is played by Jack Black in the film, is a loved citizen of the town of Carthage and an assistant funeral director, Sunday school teacher, and sings in the church choir. He’s very popular among the locals.
When he meets Marjorie Nugent, played by Shirley MacLaine, the two embark on an unlikely friendship. Nugent, a wealthy and powerful widow, is also very well known in the small town. Not just for her wealth though; it’s her sour attitude towards the people that gives her the fame of being disliked by everyone – except Bernie. During their unlikely friendship he becomes her assistant, they take many travels, and become close companions.
Over some time of ‘ups and downs’ between Mrs. Nugent and Bernie, she begins to treat him very poorly, frustrating him to a point that he eventually ends their relationship by shooting her.
After concealing her murder for around nine months and spending Mrs. Nugent’s money on various charitable affairs for the town, investigators catch on and Bernie is arrested and confesses to the unspeakable crime.
Matthew McConaughey stars in the film as Danny ‘Buck’ Davidson, the towns District Attorney and prosecutor in the case against Bernie. This is no ordinary case though, and ‘Buck’ has his work cut out for him. Even after Bernie’s confession, the townspeople still did not want to see him convicted of murder. The biased opinion of the town was so bad that Buck had to file for an unusual change in venue to see to a fair trial.
The true beauty of the film is to hear from all the real citizens of Carthage, as a large portion of the movie is personal accounts from individuals that are not actors, but actual people that were there and remember the bizarre event.
This is a truly phenomenal film that shows a glimpse into a real small town Texas spirit and culture, and will also have you rolling with laughter.
If you haven’t seen Bernie, do yourself a favor and go get it, watch it; you will not be disappointed.
The Critics’ Choice Awards will broadcast live on January 10, 2013. The Golden Globes awards ceremony will be held Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013. Be sure to tune in and see how our hometown native’s movie does. Congratulations to the staff and crew of “Bernie”.
Last May, Judd Payne, one of the producers for “Bernie”, came to Paris for a premier showing of the movie sponsored by the Paris Downtown Association, Paris Community Theatre and Folk n’ Roll Music. The movie showing was one of four considered a ‘premier’ and the tickets to the event in Paris sold out within a day.
After answering questions about the making of “Bernie”, Payne showed a preview of an upcoming Wind Dancer Films movie about the 1988 State Championship Wildcat football team, which will possibly star Jamie Foxx.