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:

Continuity: When Larry goes to make coffee in the kitchen, Bernies head falls on Richard's shoulder. In the next shot, Bernie's head is back in upright position and falls on Richard's shoulder again.

Quotes:

Security Officer: Hot enough for ya, Larry?
Larry Wilson: No, Harris! Why don't you turn up the heat?
Security Officer: OK, I'll tell the engineer.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Perfect Strangers: Weekend at Ferdinand's (#7.5)" (1991)

Soundtrack:

VISSI D'ARTE, VISSI D'AMORE

A film which contains humour that will never decompose... unlike Bernie!!

I first saw this film at about 2:00am one morning and knew that I had to have it. Okay, so it's a one joke movie, but hey it is still incredibly funny. It is a film that encapsulates the eighties and the two lead roles are perfect. The actor who played Bernie's corpse deserves an oscar as although he doesn't say a single word it honestly seems he is dead!! Classic moments include Bernie waterskiing and Bernie making love to his girlfriend (he is of course dead in both scenes.) A must for anyone who wants a good laugh.