Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Your blood may run cold, but you now find yourself pinioned to the story.

The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

The production design and flat photography are what date this film so much. Although Ted Kotcheff had Wake in Fright and First Blood on his resume by this point he brings very little visual flair to the film and it looks very TV-ish. The poor score by Andy Summers never seems to work with any scene (I have a feeling that his friend Stewart Copeland would have done a better job) and some of the soundtrack choices grate on the ears. What amazes me the most is that about 90% of the dialogue is (bad) ADR. I assume that the sound guy forgot to switch on the mic or something. I can accept it when it comes to dubbing over several F-bombs to keep the movie family- friendly but you'll be surprised at how often the words simply do not match the lips.Despite however morbid it sounds, it's far from it and is actually a light-hearted comedy. This is one of those movies I love watching and can watch this constantly when I want to. There's just something about the movie that I love and often has a cheering up effect on me. Andrew McCarthy, Jonathon Silverman, and Terry Kiser work very well in their performances. It's all handled quite ridiculously, but come on, writer Robert Klane and director Ted Kotcheff are not aiming for Shakespeare here. What the film sets out to do is make people laugh, and I cannot deny it that. Most of the laughs are due to the amazing performance by Kiser, who looks and appears dead the whole way through. Whether flying off the back of boats, over railings, and down ramps or walking with Larry and Richard around town happily, Kiser actually convinces us that he is out of the picture. McCarthy and Silverman are also very funny with their contrasting personalities, Richard the voice of reason and Larry the horn-dog that has more bad ideas than good ones. So don't expect a comedy classic here, but I would be hard-pressed to find someone who appreciates dumb comedy when it is done well that doesn't at least smile throughout the film.Overall rating: 8 out of 10.

Although I've always enjoyed slapstick (Ernest, Naked Gun, Monty Python, etc.), I absolutely hated this movie. Furthermore, I noticed that my more intelligent friends also hated it. And it has nothing to do with it being "dark", or a "black comedy", as others have described it. When this movie came out, I clearly remember that it was hugely popular among those without the capacity for sublime humor. If you liked Looney Tunes as a kid, then you will probably hate Weekend at Bernie's. If you preferred Scooby Doo or Speed Racer, then you'll probably love this movie. If you preferred "Friends" over Seinfeld, then you will definitely love "Weekend at Bernie's"

This movie has a weird effect on your perception of time. Everything happens 10 seconds after you already know it's going to happen - but then is not quite as funny as you imagined it.Apparently written/directed/edited by people who've never done comedy before, unless was simply a pacing problem due to lack of script - like a half hour episode that was padded out to be much longer. Every shot seems to have the pre- and post-roll frames kept in, like they didn't have any choice in editing due to a lack of material.The two leads are untrained, unseasoned and unbearable, and the writer doesn't seem to have been allowed time to finish or given a script editor. Style doesn't even redeem itself for its age, as there are plenty of contemporaneous black comedies/dumb comedies from its period that are paced and have enough jokes to fill a movie - you know, comedy movies written by experienced comedy writers, performed by skilled comedy players - those guys you have to pay fees to.A quick note on the baffling following this movie has - what's intolerable is not that some say they enjoyed it (each to their own, I've no problem with that), it's the hyperbole people use, praising it to the extent they give the impression they believe the memorability of the film was deliberate, as if the movie makers might count themselves amongst those who find the movie funny. Seriously, this movie paid mortgages, guys, it didn't make people proud (or laugh). The 2 leads barely worked again, and neither did the writer. Why? Because they suck. Obviously. Get a grip!Bottom line - were you stoned (or 10) when you watched this? Then try watching it again - especially before coming here and telling people it's good.I've laughed more at a funeral. Seriously. I'd tell a court that under oath.

Richard and Larry are two best friends who discover that someone has been embezzling money from their company.When they inform their boss, Bernie Lomax, he is so apparently pleased that he invites then to his beach house for a weekend of fun and leisure and women.But once they arrive, they discover him dead! Richard wants to do the right thing and inform the authorities as quickly as possible, but Larry is determined to still try and have a weekend of fun and leisure and women.....First things first, if you don't like the sound of two men walking around with a dead body, making it do admittedly stupid, but very funny things, steer well clear.But if you can swallow your pride, and admit to the fact that you really want to see this, or have seen it just for the fact, that whenever the titular character falls, or gets 'hurt' in any way, it's a funny movie from start to finish.A farce on many levels, the film works because it's just so bright and sparky.The two leads are great, Silverman playing the straight guy, McCarthey playing the party animal, but both characters are very likable.It's just one of those movies that puts a big grin on your face, forgettable the minute its over, but still a lot of fun.