BERNIE Trailer Starring Jack Black

Millennium Entertainment has released the first trailer for Richard Linklater’s (Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise) forthcoming dark comedy Bernie. The film tells the story of Bernie Tiede, a Texas funeral director who was beloved by everyone in town, but secretly had murdered a local 80-year-old woman and kept her stashed in a freezer. Here’s the synopsis for the film:

In the tiny, rural town of Carthage, TX, assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede was one of the town’s most beloved residents. He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie, so it came as no surprise when he befriended Marjorie Nugent, an affluent widow who was as well known for her sour attitude as her fortune. Bernie frequently traveled with Marjorie and even managed her banking affairs. Marjorie quickly became fully dependant on Bernie and his generosity and Bernie struggled to meet her increasing demands. Bernie continued to handle her affairs, and the townspeople went months without seeing Marjorie. The people of Carthage were shocked when it was reported that Marjorie Nugent had been dead for some time, and Bernie Tiede was being charged with the murder.

Jack Black plays Bernie Tiede, Shirley MacLaine plays Mrs. Nugent, and Matthew McConaughey plays the town’s blustery real-life District Attorney, Danny Buck Davidson, who was determined to get to the bottom of the crime. The film will play at the SXSW Film festival on Wednesday March 14th. Bernie arrives in theaters on April 27th, 2012.