Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2011: Richard Linklater’s Bernie

#33. Bernie

Director: Richard Linklater
Writer(s): Skip Hollandsworth and Linklater
Producers: Liz Glotzer, Judd Payne, Celine Rattray, Martin Shafer and Ginger Sledge
Distributor: Rights Available.

The Gist: Based on the true story of Berhardt “Bernie” Tiede, features Jack Black as a mortician who becomes companion to an 81 year old widow, Marjorie Nugent (MacLaine). Tiede was convicted of shooting Nugent in 1996 and hiding her body in a freezer for nine months, pretending as though she was still alive. McConaughey will play the town’s district attorney, always angling for re-election and suspicious about the widow’s death.…(more)

Cast: Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, Shirley MacLaine and Rip Torn

List Worthy Reasons…: Jack Black’s stock has perhaps plummeted to its lowest point, and I have a feeling that this true crime story exploring the darker side of the human condition is the counter-programming role that might do the trick. Linklater calls it his Fargo. I call this a must see. Mike Leigh’s dp Dick Pope lenses for a second consecutive time for Linklater. 

Release Date/Status?: This probably just wrapped up and is well into post. Look for a fall festival release and unlike Me and Orson Welles, a potential bidding war for the distribution rights.