What’s it about?
In small-town Texas, the local mortician strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, though when he kills her, he goes to great lengths to create the illusion that she’s alive.
What did we think?
Cindy says: Like the title character, this film is short and sweet, and a little bit dull, and leaves me in two minds. Appearing as a cross between a mockumentary and a midday movie, the big-name stars (Jack Black, Matthew McConaughy and Shirley MacLaine) seem a little out of place among an outstanding cast of unknowns featured as the townsfolk of Carthage, Texas. These unknowns totally steal the show as they narrate the plight of their small-town hero. Based on a true story, this is a comic murder mystery with not a lot of shock, but plenty of “awww”.
Sounds interesting but then I realise it also sounds a bit like Weekend At Bernies. Is it?
HA! Great movie reference, but alas there is no parading a dead old lady around town. It is all very tastefully done, and we are even given a glimpse of the real-life Bernie during the credit sequence that puts his sweet yet slightly sinister actions into perspective.
NOTE TO SELF: re-watch ‘Weekend At Bernie’s’ ASAP!