Weekend at Bernie's (1989)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Ted Kotcheff

Writer (WGA):

Robert Klane (written by)

Release Date:

5 July 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy

Tagline:

A lively comedy about a guy who isn't. [USA Theatrical]

Plot:

A pair of losers try to pretend that their murdered employer is really alive, but the murderer is out to "finish him off."

Plot Keywords:

Boss | Weekend | Beach | Beach House | Party

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Andrew McCarthy	...	Larry Wilson
Jonathan Silverman	...	Richard Parker
Catherine Mary Stewart	...	Gwen Saunders
Terry Kiser	...	Bernie Lomax
Don Calfa	...	Paulie, Vito's Hit Man
Catherine Parks	...	Tina, Vito's Girl
Eloise DeJoria	...	Tawny (as Eloise Broady)
Gregory Salata	...	Marty, Vito's Assistant
Louis Giambalvo	...	Vito
Ted Kotcheff	...	Jack Parker, Richard's Dad
Margaret Hall	...	Lomax's Secretary
Timothy Perez	...	Central Park Mugger
Mark Kenneth Smaltz	...	Harris, Security Oficer
Anthony Mannino	...	Superintendant
Polly Segal	...	Woman in Elevator

Also Known As:

Hot and Cold

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:12 (re-rating) (2006) | UK:15 (original rating) | Iceland:L | New Zealand:M | Australia:M | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Bald Head Island, North Carolina, USA

Company:

Gladden Entertainment

Trivia:

Bernie's house at the beach was not on "Hampton Island" at all, but actually at a nature preserve in North Carolina. It was built just for this movie, with the agreement that it would be torn down right after shooting and the land returned to its pristine condition.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Right after Larry and Richard find out Bernie is dead, and the party starts, two lifeguards come up to talk to Bernie. The first one says his lines then leaves. The second one leans over Bernie to say his lines, but you can still see his eyes looking at his cue cards.

Quotes:

Richard Parker: [at Bernie's beach house] Now you see, Larry? All of this could be yours if you set your goals and work hard.
Larry Wilson: My old man worked hard. All they did was give him more work.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Friends: The One with the Embryos (#4.12)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

NIGHT ON BALD MOUNTAIN

Uproariously funny black comedy.

Hilarious, totally off the wall black comedy about two buddies (Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman) whose boss, Bernie, has been bumped off by gangsters but whose death goes unrecognized the entire weekend by his self-centered beach friends. Utterly tasteless, goofy, ridiculous, wonderfully funny movie with loads of quirky characters. Andrew McCarthy at his most charmingly loopy and Jonathan Silverman terrific as his straight arrow buddy. Great turn by Terry Kiser as Bernie, who will not go away or play dead. Ridiculous situations that are just plain fun to watch. A movie to remember with delight and to enjoy at a repeat viewing.