Movie "Bernie" - Playing At The Sunrise Theater- July 5th, July 7th-9th

by Sunrise Theater
(Downtown Southern Pines, NC)

In small-town Carthage, Texas, local assistant mortician Bernie Tiede (Jack Black), a beloved member of the community, becomes the only friend of the wealthy, recently widowed Marjorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine), who is widely considered cold and unpleasant by the other townsfolk. Tiede, in his late 30's, and elderly Nugent quickly become inseparable, frequently traveling and lunching together, though Tiede's social life becomes hindered by Nugent's constant and sometimes abusive need for his attention.

One day Tiede murders Nugent after growing weary of the emotional toll of her possessiveness, persistent nagging and non-stop putdowns, but hardly anyone around town seems to miss her for months; meanwhile, Tiede uses her money to support local businesses and neighbors.

Finally, Nugent's stock broker becomes concerned by her absence and instigates a search of her house that concludes with the discovery of her body in a meat freezer. The local district attorney, Danny Buck Davidson (Matthew McConaughey) charges Tiede with first-degree (premeditated) murder. However, many citizens of Carthage rally to the murderer's defense with some even asserting that Nugent deserved to die. Several demand that the authorities go easy on Tiede due to Nugent's lack of popularity in the town. Davidson requests that the trial be moved 50 miles away to avoid selecting a biased jury comprising members of the town.

Tickets can be purchased at The Sunrise Theater Box Office. Note that there will be no Friday Showing Due to Free Concert for First Friday featuring The Sons Of Bill