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Weekend at Bernie's

  • 1989
  • PG-13
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
66K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,155
2,618
Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman in Weekend at Bernie's (1989)
Home Video Trailer from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:11
1 Video
72 Photos
Dark ComedyHigh-Concept ComedySlapstickAdventureComedyCrime

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.

  • Director
    • Ted Kotcheff
  • Writer
    • Robert Klane
  • Stars
    • Andrew McCarthy
    • Jonathan Silverman
    • Catherine Mary Stewart
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    66K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,155
    2,618
    • Director
      • Ted Kotcheff
    • Writer
      • Robert Klane
    • Stars
      • Andrew McCarthy
      • Jonathan Silverman
      • Catherine Mary Stewart
    • 156User reviews
    • 53Critic reviews
    • 32Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Weekend At Bernie's
    Trailer 2:11
    Weekend At Bernie's

    Photos72

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    Top cast53

    Edit
    Andrew McCarthy
    Andrew McCarthy
    • Larry Wilson
    Jonathan Silverman
    Jonathan Silverman
    • Richard Parker
    Catherine Mary Stewart
    Catherine Mary Stewart
    • Gwen Saunders
    Terry Kiser
    Terry Kiser
    • Bernie Lomax
    Don Calfa
    Don Calfa
    • Paulie, Vito's Hit Man
    Catherine Parks
    Catherine Parks
    • Tina, Vito's Girl
    Eloise DeJoria
    Eloise DeJoria
    • Tawny
    • (as Eloise Broady)
    Greg Salata
    Greg Salata
    • Marty, Vito's Assistant
    • (as Gregory Salata)
    Louis Giambalvo
    Louis Giambalvo
    • Vito
    Ted Kotcheff
    Ted Kotcheff
    • Jack Parker, Richard's Dad
    Margaret Hall
    • Lomax's Secretary
    Tim Perez
    Tim Perez
    • Central Park Mugger
    • (as Timothy Perez)
    Mark Kenneth Smaltz
    Mark Kenneth Smaltz
    • Harris, Security Oficer
    Anthony Mannino
    • Superintendant
    Polly Segal
    • Woman in Elevator
    Robert L. Horen
    • Maitre d'
    • (as Bob Horen)
    Bruce Paul Barbour
    Bruce Paul Barbour
    • Beach Bum
    • (as Bruce Barbour)
    Jason Woliner
    Jason Woliner
    • Bratty Kid
    • Director
      • Ted Kotcheff
    • Writer
      • Robert Klane
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews156

    6.465.8K
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    Featured reviews

    7mcfly-31

    silly fun

    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.
    soundscene

    Inane... but a classic nonetheless

    Using the word "classic" for this movie may be stretching things a little, but the fact that everybody I know has seen this movie -- and enjoyed it to some extent, is saying something. The concept is ridiculous. Larry (Andrew McCarthy) and Richard (Jonathan Silverman) are invited to their boss, Bernie Lomax's (Terry Kiser), house for the weekend. Bernie winds up getting killed before they get there. The rest of the movie involves the hijinks that occur when Richard and Larry decide to pretend Bernie is still alive so they can enjoy their weekend in paradise. Much of the gags include Bernie's lifeless body being dragged about and posed. What's surprising is that much of the gags actually work. It's a one-joke movie that manages to sustain through the one and a half hours. Pay special attention to the boat scene -- on first viewing my sisters and I were roaring with laughter. Avoid the sequel "Weekend at Bernie's II" like the plague. Rather than inane and funny, the movie is just inane.
    callahan-2

    An opposing view, sorta

    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.
    SuperFly Whitey

    A CULT CLASSIC COMEDIC MASTERPIECE!!!

    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!
    8actingeric

    Under rated comedy blast.

    Weekend at Bernies! Sure it is dumb. But the comedy is so smartly done that it makes it hilarious. I for one laugh my butt off every time I watch this movie. It is one of those movies that cheers you up if you are having a bad day. The duo of McCarthy and Silverman is almost flawless. They are wonderful to watch. Together they almost remind me of classic pairs like Laurel & Hardy or Abbot & Costello. If you just sit back and relax this movie can really tickle your funny bone. It even might make you `drop dead from laughing'. Oh.was that to corny.sorry. But honestly, this is a good film. Give it a try someday when you have nothing else to do or are having a party. (But beware just rent this one. The second one, although it has its moments, doesn't meet up to the original)

    More like this

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    4.8
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Terry 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.
    • Goofs
      When 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 versions
      Much 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".
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Lethal Weapon 2/The Karate Kid Part III/Great Balls of Fire/Weekend at Bernie's/A Taxing Woman Returns (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Vissi 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

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    FAQ19

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 5, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Un muerto... pero de risa
    • Filming locations
      • Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, USA
    • Production company
      • Gladden Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $30,218,387
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,506,086
      • Jul 9, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $30,218,387
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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