DVD Review: Weekend at Bernie's

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ARTICLE

Rating:

Country: USA
Release Date: July 12, 2005
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox
Director:
· Ted Kotcheff
Cast:
· Andrew McCarthy
· Jonathan Silverman
· Terry Kiser
Related Sites:
· IMDb

Grade: B-

DVD Review: Weekend at Bernie's
by Chad Maddux
Published: August 9, 2005

Larry Wilson (Andrew McCarthy) and Richard Parker (Jonathan Silverman) have just discovered a big error at their company and believe their discovery may lead to a promotion. When they report their finding to their boss, Bernie Lomax (Terry Kiser), he invites them to discuss it further during a relaxing "Weekend at Bernie's" beach house.

It turns out that someone has been stealing from the company to the tune of $2 million. That person is Bernie Lomax. Bernie arranges to have the two guys killed to avoid being exposed. Unfortunately, his "associates" thought he was getting too careless and killed Bernie instead. When Larry and Richard arrive, they find Bernie dead. Quickly, the islanders out partying migrate to Bernie's house...but no one notices that he's dead. Bernie throws a smashing party, flirts with women, and even arranges to sell a car while 100% deceased.

Larry and Richard discover that Bernie arranged to have them killed and, thinking Bernie died of an accidental drug overdose, believe the killers are still out to get them. The killers aren't supposed to do the job while Bernie is around so Larry and Richard drag him along everywhere they go. They aren't as careful with a dead body as most people would be and Bernie winds up in some interesting situations.

OK. The film isn't winning any awards and it doesn't follow some key rules of science but it's a fun film. Certainly, there are plenty of wonderful other choices when buying or renting a movie but "Weekend at Bernie's" is a basic, good comedy. I've enjoyed the film for many years and, priced under $15, it's a worthy addition to any DVD collection. But a word of warning: if you are one of these people that can't overlook the obvious reality problems in movies(such as a dead guy in the ocean and out in the sun for two days without any problems), skip this one.

Bonus Material

The only bonus material on this DVD is the theatrical trailer. It's a low-cost DVD and doesn't even include an insert but it's neither promoted as having lots of bonuses nor would you buy it for such offerings. However, by rule, any DVD with a single bonus offering receives an automatic D-.

"Weekend at Bernie's" is a double-sided disc presenting the film in both Full Screen and Widescreen (1.85:1).

Film Grade: B-

Bonus Material Grade: D-

"Weekend at Bernie's" is rated PG-13.

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