Film Analysis: Bernie
In the movie “Bernie”, we follow the story and between a Carthage, Texas funeral director Bernie Tiede, and his co-dependent relationship with a wealthy widow, Marjorie Nugent. As “Bernie” unfolds, we see the companionship turn for the worse as Ms. Nugent’s ill-temper causes Bernie to snap – and lands her dead in her freezer. This movie brings up some questions, specifically regarding image. After analysis, the question I keep coming back to is “Was Bernie genuine and sincere? Or was it all a façade?” Although Bernie committed a horrible crime, I believe the answer to this question is “yes”- Bernie was a genuine man.
Throughout the movie we see Bernie come to be a pillar in the community of Carthage. He was an active member in the church, teaching Sunday school and signing in the choir. He donated his time to the local community college, helping with plays. He frequently bought random gifts for people. Even after Marjorie’s death and when Bernie had free range of Marjorie’s money, he donated it and spent it for the better good. He gave people money for college, continued buying gifts for others, and donated money for a new prayer wing for his church. The list of charitable things Bernie did for the community of Carthage goes on. There was almost no greed involved in any of the decisions that Bernie made. He kept his modest house and car, and the majority of the money he spent was on others.
Although Bernie felt he had a reputation to uphold, I believe that he genuinely cared about his community. The amount of time he donated to others is overwhelming. He frequently checked up on local widows he had assisted at the funeral home, after all that are how he became close with Ms. Nugent. Even today, in prison, Bernie teaches cooking classes to inmates and leads a prayer group. In addition, the way he killed Ms. Nugent shows no premeditation – it