Bernie (1996)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Albert Dupontel

Writers:

Albert Dupontel (dialogue)
Albert Dupontel (screenplay)

Release Date:

27 November 1996 (France)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Bernie, a 30 years old orphan, decides to leave his orphanage and find his parents. After an investigation...

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Claude Perron	...	Marion
Albert Dupontel	...	Bernie Noël
Roland Blanche	...	Donald Willis
Hélène Vincent	...	Mme Clermont, la mère de Bernie
Roland Bertin	...	Ramonda
Paul Le Person	...	Bernie, the janitor
Catherine Samie	...	Grandmother
Alain Libolt	...	Maître Clermont
Pascal Ternisien	...	Edouard Clermont
Emmanuelle Bougerol	...	Marie-Solange Clermont
Philippe Uchan	...	Député Vallois
Antoinette Moya	...	L'agent immobilier
Michel Vuillermoz	...	Travesti
Loïc Houdré	...	Dealer
Yves Pignot	...	Directeur de l'orphelinat

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

France:-12 | Norway:18 | Spain:18

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Company:

Canal+

Quotes:

Bernie Noël: My name is Bernie Noël. I'm twenty-nine years old, thirty-two soon.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Ciel, les oiseaux,... et ta mère!, Le (1999)

Soundtrack:

La Bas

Shovel violence is funny stuff.

French cinema is a weird thing. And this is a movie that fully gives that weird french vibe that you may or may not be looking for. I search it out like a fox, so I'm glad I got to see Bernie.

The story of a slightly retarded man, who is now venturing out of the orphanage which he's called home for his entire life. With money he's saved up and a quest to find his parents....he's pretty much on a collision course with disaster. And that's just your impression. Bernie eventually does meet his parents and things quickly get out of control. Seriously out of control.

Bernie is a bizarre film. It has loads of dark humor, with a really interesting and kinda realistic idea. I know of a couple handicapped guys who've gone out to live on their own. But those dudes weren't as "out there" as our pal, Bernie. Wreckless driving, extreme violence are two things Bernie brings to the outside world with him. Which is humorous, but at the same time, questionable. Basic life lessons are to have good morals, and a major one is to be kind. Ya know, violence is a bad thing. I guess he just never learned that. Or I missed something.

Nevertheless, Bernie is a one-of-a-kind flick that some people have said is even better than Pulp Fiction.....not sure where that relation comes from. Were they made the same year? Anyways, it is a strong film like PFiction, and it's pretty entertaining, but it also feels like it's trying too hard in a way. Also I didn't really care for the characters, even Bernie. I would have loved to actually care for Bernie on an emotional level, but alas, I didn't. But for anyone who enjoys dark comedy, Bernie should be on your to-see list.