Jack Black, in the greatest performance of his career, makes us see what the people of Carthage, Texas, saw in Bernie Tiede... full review

"Bernie' isn't a monumental film, but it is a finely tuned character study with some nice innovations. full review

The question of why the law must always be upheld, regardless of consequences, gives this light, amiable movie a surprising heft and weight. full review

Bernie has chuckles, but it's hardly riotous. And this is a good thing. full review

Propelled by a perfectly cast trio of stars whose eccentricities shine in singular character roles, Bernie is charmer. full review

"Bernie" unfolds into many equally rich narrative strands: love story, southern Gothic slice-of-life and, finally tragedy and legal thriller... full review

Linklater's a glider, not a pile-driver; he hangs back when other directors prefer to bore in. full review

It allows director Richard Linklater to explore his own roots while telling a remarkable real-life story, something too crazy for anyone to make up. full review

The movie's bright and endearing and surprisingly lacking in a point. I wish I liked it better, but it's a start. full review

A one-of-a-kind comedy based on the real homicide of an innocent old lady. full review

[A] weirdly funny, inspiring film. full review

Some of the best performances come from real-life residents of Carthage as they share their recollections on camera. full review

A dead-solid-perfect depiction of small-town life. full review

Bernie isn't a particularly likeable guy and Black's opaque performance never lets us get beneath the surface to find a character we might actually care about. full review

Linklater, admirably unconcerned about how his film can be categorized, has made a comedy, a drama and most certainly a character study. full review

Watching Bernie is a little like sitting on a shady front porch and gossiping with the town tattlers. full review

I had to forget what I knew about Black. He creates this character out of thin air, it's like nothing he's done before, and it proves that an actor can be a miraculous thing in the right role. full review

Has a little bit of an East Texas Fargo feel. Jack Black gives one of his best performances. full review

A jovial yet gracefully told tale. full review

The wonder of Black's performance here is its empathy and balance: inasmuch as he can disappear into any role, he dissolves into this one with no hint of mocking remove. It's a beautiful thing to see. full review