Two idiots try to pretend that their murdered employer is really alive, leading the hitman to attempt to track him down to finish him off.Two idiots try to pretend that their murdered employer is really alive, leading the hitman to attempt to track him down to finish him off.Two idiots try to pretend that their murdered employer is really alive, leading the hitman to attempt to track him down to finish him off.
- Awards
- 1 nomination total
Eloise DeJoria
- Tawny
- (as Eloise Broady)
Greg Salata
- Marty, Vito's Assistant
- (as Gregory Salata)
Tim Perez
- Central Park Mugger
- (as Timothy Perez)
Robert L. Horen
- Maitre d'
- (as Bob Horen)
Bruce Paul Barbour
- Beach Bum
- (as Bruce Barbour)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
James is right..it's a simple movie...but if you like movies like that, for wacky humour that's too unreal...go see it...first time I saw Bernie hit the channel boys, I was literally ROTFLMAO...I fell off of the couch.
Lotta fun with McCarthy and Silverman as two guys who uncover a scam in the office. They present the info to their boss who's so grateful he invites them to his kick ass house for Labor Day weekend. When they show up they find him dead and decide it would benefit both of them to let the parties go on with everyone thinking Kiser is still kickin'. Contrary to what most say, the core of this film is not the dead body antics. The real attraction here is the rappor between McCarthy and Silverman, who play very well off each other because their characters are such opposites. And occasionally Kiser is thrown into the mix and the three make one of the more odder comdey teams. When they do drag him along, its pretty good stuff, with them trying to fake everyone out that hes walking or waving. And then the battering of the body, which is hard to not laugh at. When Bernies being dragged or bounced or dropped its perfectly silly. Even before the main action starts, theres some good stuff in the beginning dealing with Silvermans love life and McCarthys constant annoyance of him about it. So at almost every point in the film theres usually something to laugh at.
"Weekend at Bernie's" is a hilarious film about two losers (Jonathan Silverman and Andrew McCarthy) who stumble onto a plan by some unknown person in their company to steal from the corporation. They tell the boss, Bernie Lomax (Terry Kiser), and it turns out that he is the culprit. Now he wants the two of them killed, but his wandering eyes make him the target of the assassin. Bernie invites the two losers out to his beach-house in the hopes of them being eliminated. However, he is killed instead and when Silverman and McCarthy discover his body they pretend like he is still alive so they can get the great weekend that their late boss promised them. A truly original idea carries this film which is sick in one sense, but amazingly funny in another. Silverman and McCarthy make a surprisingly effective comedy team. However it is Terry Kiser, in one of the most under-rated roles ever seen during the history of the cinema, that makes the film work as well as it can. His uncanny ability to play a stiff corpse for nearly the whole film is truly revolutionary. If there was ever a performance that was overlooked by the Academy, it may be Kiser's role here (do not laugh). Overall the film over-achieves and is well-worth watching at least once. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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.
Greetings Bernie fans...
Yep. I love this film...and, I love the sequel, too. I guess it helps that I am a big fan of both Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman...their chemistry throughout the two films is priceless, a great comedy duo. Terry Kiser couldn't be better as Bernie, given a role in which he really doesn't have to do anything...nonetheless, he gives us a hilarious performance. And, you also gotta love Catherine Mary Stewart...she's just great, and Don Calfa is also brilliant. The writer, Robert Klane (he co-wrote "NATIONAL LAMPOON'S EUROPEAN VACATION, previously) creates a wonderful story and atmosphere...and, he eventually helmed the direction on this film's sequel in 1993. Don't listen to that other airhead who reviewed this, with his "set your alarm clock" crap...what the hell does he know, anyway? Yes, this film is "stupid-comedy"...and, that's why the film works. A great summer movie. Recommended dosage: Repetitious viewings, ad nauseum.
Take care!
Yep. I love this film...and, I love the sequel, too. I guess it helps that I am a big fan of both Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman...their chemistry throughout the two films is priceless, a great comedy duo. Terry Kiser couldn't be better as Bernie, given a role in which he really doesn't have to do anything...nonetheless, he gives us a hilarious performance. And, you also gotta love Catherine Mary Stewart...she's just great, and Don Calfa is also brilliant. The writer, Robert Klane (he co-wrote "NATIONAL LAMPOON'S EUROPEAN VACATION, previously) creates a wonderful story and atmosphere...and, he eventually helmed the direction on this film's sequel in 1993. Don't listen to that other airhead who reviewed this, with his "set your alarm clock" crap...what the hell does he know, anyway? Yes, this film is "stupid-comedy"...and, that's why the film works. A great summer movie. Recommended dosage: Repetitious viewings, ad nauseum.
Take care!
Did you know
- TriviaTerry Kiser's stunt double suffered several broken ribs during filming, mostly in the scene in which Bernie is dragged around the surface of the ocean, bumping into floating metal buoys.
- GoofsWhen the 'boys' are transferring Bernie from the golf cart to the boat, Bernie's hands clench and open.
- Quotes
Larry Wilson: What kind of a host invites you to his house for the weekend and dies on you?
- Alternate versionsMuch of the explicit language was toned down for the UK DVD released 2001. Overdubs from the original actors were used to make the movie more "family friendly".
- SoundtracksVissi D'Arte, Vissi D'Amore
by Giacomo Puccini
Éva Marton with the Münchner Rundfunkorchester (as Munich Radio Orchestra),
Giuseppe Patanè (as Giuseppe Patane), Director
From the Album "PUCCINI ARIAS" (IMT 42167)
Appears Courtesy of CBS MASTERWORKS, Under license from CBS SPECIAL PRODUCTS
Everything New on Hulu in August
Everything New on Hulu in August
There's a whole lot to love about Hulu's streaming offerings this month — get excited for brand-new series premieres and film favorites to watch at home.
- How long is Weekend at Bernie's?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Un muerto... pero de risa
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $30,218,387
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $4,506,086
- Jul 9, 1989
- Gross worldwide
- $30,218,387
- Runtime
- 1h 37m(97 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content