Weekend at Bernie's (1989) Reaction & Review! FIRST TIME WATCHING!!

[@johnwilliamson2207]

Terry Kiser's physical performance as the dead Bernie was something that would have made Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and the Three Stooges proud lol.

[@jimtatro6550]

This movie is so stupid, immature and cartoonish……. I love it. Kudos to Terry Kiser for the portrayal of Bernie, his physical performance is hilarious.🤣

[@CraigKostelecky]

I thought his performance was a little stiff. 😉

[@scott8658]

@@CraigKostelecky Oh boy then don't watch his performance in Weekend At Bernies 2 😅

[@andarporbuenosaires]

What a weird movie this is, 2 guys who go from here to there with a dead man.

[@creech54]

I remember, at the time, that Kiser got a lot of praise from the critics for his "performance". Terry Kiser and Don Calfa ("Paulie") were familiar faces from TV in the "70s and "80s.

[@vodengc520]

@@scott8658 Correction: Bernie definitely loosens up a bit in the sequel. Just needed to find his groove.

[@McPh1741]

One of all time favorite comedies. It never gets old. McCarthy and Silvers’ chemistry as friends is great. The “water skiing” scene is hilarious. To this day, I still remember Tawny, the girl that borrowed the boat. Damn she hot!

[@jeffrconner]

Actually, the two leads were decently big at the time of this movie. McCarthy was part of the Brat Pack, which included Rob Lowe, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy. Silverman had a few credits to his name, including Brighton Beach Memoirs, which was a Neil Simon play adaptation. I can't remember how well it did, but I think it was well-received by critics.

[@ll7868]

The movie didn't do well, critics liked it but movie goers didn't. The play won all kinds of awards, the movie didn't win any. I found the movie a bit boring and tedious to sit through, honestly don't remember much.

[@GrisouIII]

Saw this in the theatre. The audience was DYING when Bernie kept hitting buoys!

[@glamazon6172]

I remember my mom crying with laughter.

[@chivalryalive]

I grew up on a small private lake, back in the 80s. During the weekdays, there were not too many persons (if any) around. We used to call it "Dragging".... Depending on the time of the day, we'd either tie our swimsuits on real tight.... Or, remove them entirely! --The boat would take off and we'd just go skipping along on our backsides at the end of the ski line! :-D The lake is about 2.5 miles long and everybody knows everybody else, so we were all very friendly and polite to one another. Especially us kids /teens.... If we did anything troublesome --Our neighbors knew just where we lived to talk to our folks and get us in a whirlwind of trouble! :-O

[@hughdalton7622]

BONG!

[@OriginalMalcolmPoole]

In the theaters? Imagine being in the hospital recovering from an emergency appendix removal...I was laughing, struggling to breathe, and crying...as soon as I caught my breath, he'd hit another...😅😂😢❤

[@heisenb3rg]

The nostalgia!!! One of my childhood favourites!!!! So glad you reacted to it😄

[@OfAngelicParagons]

There is a very special quality to this timeless film I really miss those days

[@wilsonserv]

Fell in love with Catherine Mary Stewart as a kid due to The Last Starfighter and Night of the Comet. Actually met her about ten years ago, still looked great and was a sweetheart.

[@franticrage73]

Definitely big fan of hers because of those 2 movies.

[@scorp77snake]

love those films Shan def needs to react to them

[@DocJerky]

The Last Starfighter is amazing. I watch it once a year at least.

[@thomaseggle8886]

I'm 44...most all of my generation....know this....and absolutely love this movie.

[@CursedMusicbox333]

This movie still makes me laugh when Bernie hits the water markers. 🤣 *BONGGDINGDING* "What was that?"

[@greigclement9081]

"Man Overboard !" lol

[@CursedMusicbox333]

@@greigclement9081 "He's got nice form!!" 😂

[@CrocodilePile]

This movie was made with about $20 and the promise of a vacation for the cast and crew. Accidentally made a fortune at the box office. It's a guilty pleasure.

[@travelchic908]

Weekend at Bernie's struck a chord with all of us who saw it back then. It was very unique and ridiculous. There is something special about finding genuine fun and joy in a movie that all the boring adults hate 😂

[@sherigrow6480]

This movie hit at a time that VCR's came out, and we could rent or buy movies on VHS, and kids loved it. There's a whole generation that grew up on this, and some other favorites.

[@Osprey850]

Also, premium cable TV really took off in the late 80s and movies like this were staples. I believe that it was HBO that I had in the Summer of 1990 and this movie was on repeatedly, especially during the day, since they didn't run R-rated movies until night. I must've watched it 10 times that Summer.

[@greigclement9081]

This movie was no doubt inspired by "The Trouble with Harry" (1955) another macabre comedy about a recently dead body causing mischief with all who come into contact with it. I love "Weekend.." movie as it gets the silly tone just right. It has the 80s comedy feel thanks in part to 80s teen star Andrew McCarthy (Mannequin, St Elmos Fire) . The sound of Benrie hitting those buoys kills me, and I'm sure the impact would've roughed up Bernies' body a lot more thanm implied. I love the character of Paulie, the hitman, who goes crazy trying to repeatedly assassinate Bernie. This is a great popcorn comedy if the thought of disrespectful treatment of a corpse doesn't offend anyone. Another great underrated comedy movie from this era about a trio trying desperately to overcome obstacles is "Quick Change" (1990) starring Bill Murray and quite a few recognisable cast.

[@Osprey850]

Another movie probably inspired by The Trouble With Harry is 1959's The Gazebo, which is inferior, but I've always liked it. The Trouble With Harry might be one that Shan would like to react to, especially if he likes Hitchcock.

[@sallyatticum]

"I took very little time collecting my thoughts." hahahaha. This is one of those movies I watched when it came out and forgot about. I remember people were really talking about how funny it was, but I am pretty much in the same boat as Shan.

[@leeannmcdermott8313]

First time I’ve seen a reaction to this, can’t believe you dug this up, loved this when I was a kid❤️

[@MrDeadstu]

We used to play a drinking game to this movie. 1 drink when someone says "Bern", 2 drinks when "Bernie" is said, 3 drinks when "Bernie Lomax" is mentioned. You won't make it through the movie, but you will be drunk as hell. Classic 80's comedy.

[@missk8tie]

Years ago, I was in Salem, MA, at the beginning of October. On Thursday night, they had a parade that was more for the locals than for the rush of tourists that descend on Salem every October. They had all the local High Schools, marching bands, and such. They also had a zombie-themed lawn chair drill group. Everyone dressed as a "normal" Walking Dead type zombie EXCEPT one, who was definitely Bernie as a zombie (from the sequel - yeah there was a sequel). It was awesome.

[@gsh341]

I saw this when it came out and I thought it was absolutely hilarious. The scene where he was being dragged behind the boat I was literally on the floor of the theater laughing and trying to catch my breath.

[@zmarko]

It's definitely a silly, fun movie, I just never thought I'd see you react to it, Shan. Lol. It's one of those movies to just shut your brain off, sit back, and enjoy.

[@vwlssnvwls3262]

This is one of those guilty pleasure, good fun movies. The actor that plays Bernie does an excellent job in keeping his composure through everything. The only part I never liked was the date scene, and going to his parents apartment. It was just a bit too cringe and felt out of place for the movie as a whole.

It can't be a guilty pleasure when it is a masterpiece.

[@dosnostalgic]

Terry Kiser is the real mvp of this movie. They've put him through so much, but his physical performance is always spot on. What an actor.

[@Britcarjunkie]

The "dead Bernie" was also played by a stuntman named Spencer Clarke: he was also Dwight Schultz's stunt double on "The A-Team" series. I bought a car from him a year or two after this was released, and we're still friends. 🙂

[@ssombies]

One of my favorite comedies from the 80s. Loved it at the time. And it still holds up.

[@robertcherman]

Andrew McCarthy movies I remember growing up as a kid and then a teen. He has been in movies since the early 80s and still makes movies today, almost on a yearly basis. The Beniker Gang Heaven Help Us St. Elmo's Fire Pretty In Pink Mannequin (with Kim Cattrall) Weekend at Bernie's came out at a specific time, when it did real well. The two main guys were kind of popular but fizzled out fast. I remember Weekend at Bernie's being talked about by everyone, I thought it was huge. But, I don't think the movie really passed the sense of time. But people like me, that saw this movie as a kid, it might be considered a cult classic, because when it comes to most cult classics, its because the movie was huge at the time. Mannequin is just as dumb as this movie concept wise, he works at a store and the mannequin comes to life and it's Kim Cattrall. Here is another movie to check out, Moving Violations

[@serpent6827]

This film released about 4 months before I was born and I absolutely love this movie with it's silliness and humor. My brothers and I grew up watching this classic comedy in the 90s. Terry Keiser sometimes had a difficult time keeping a straight face playing a corpse when Johnathan and Andy played out their parts around him and I can imagine how difficult it must be to play dead especially during a comedy film. The sequel, while not as good, is still an entertaining watch and I will say that it gets even more absurd. I believe that a stunt double was being dragged behind the boat and ended up suffering a few rib injuries. I also believe Bernie's house was built on a sea turtle nesting ground on Bald Head Island in North Carolina and therefore the set had to be torn down after filming wrapped.

[@xcellent-records]

both leads were popular and well known at the time this movie was made. a sequel was made with original cast returning. both leads transitioned into appearing on TV series and have been booked solid since 2000. one of the leads transitioned further into directing TV (most notably 14 episodes of "Orange Is The New Black", 20 episodes of "The Black List")

[@xcellent-records]

Actor Andrew McCarthy (Larry) movies worth adding to your list and worth a reaction "Mannequin" "St Elmo's Fire" (co starring Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, Andie MacDowell) and "Pretty In Pink" (a John Hughes film... appearing Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, James Spader, Kristy Swanson, Gina Gershon, Annie Potts).

[@hughdalton7622]

Without Bernie's head hitting the buoys in that same, I do not think the movie would have resonated (pardon the pun) so well. I honestly think that that little scene made the movie work.

[@hughdalton7622]

speak to text... grrr

[@the_nikster1]

wow I'm so shocked and pleasantly surprised to see you reacting to this one Shan! such a nostalgic classic comedy. the sequel is actually not too bad and worth a watch because they do something a bit different with the gag that you wouldn't see coming. thanks for the reaction, I enjoyed it ❤️

[@MMmmmVarley]

As a 44 year old, the love of this film is absolutely because of nostalgia blindness. Pre-teen me loved this immature movie to bits. Glad you gave it a watch, and it was an apt comparison to the Ace Ventura movies. There is a Weekend at Bernie's 2, and boy is it a stinker.

[@fredfredburger5150]

Nah, this movie is an 80's classic. Loved it as a kid when it came out, love it as an adult for all the gags kid me didn't notice.

[@MMmmmVarley]

Oh the kid in me still loves it. And yes, older me finds much more in it that younger me.

@@fredfredburger5150 it is a masterpiece.

[@jancw]

I love this movie for the '80s nostalgia which to be fair, I wouldn't expect anyone who wasn't there to feel. I understand, and absolutely no hard feelings. Everything from the clothing, to the continuous feed printouts, brought back memories. The building office lobby decor back when they believed every surface had to look like marble. You just had to be there. 😀

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

Yeah, the costuming was giving me a warm feeling, too.

[@cocoyc495]

One of my favorite movies. I've watched this so many times and I do own the DVD. It was fun watching your reaction.

[@celeboria]

Yes! My favorite 80s comedy! The sequel is fun to watch too.

[@EDKsurly]

love the sequel! I saw it in the theaters

[@robertcherman]

I thought this movie was popular when it came out, everyone I knew watched it and loved it and joked about it. Even all the kids at school.

It is but revisionists want to downgrade it in the name of modernism.

[@SirGriefALot]

If you were a 5 year old kid or a 19 year old stoner when it was a late night HBO movie, you probably remember it as a goofball classic.

[@angelab904]

This movie is still hilarious!! Classic. I'm surprised you didn't recognize the two lead guys. Especially Andrew McCarthy as he was a part of the Brat Pack in the 80s and in many classics like Pretty In Pink..St Elmo's Fire..etc.

[@facts2741]

I can't believe you watched this, lol. You totally nailed it about being a nostalgia thing. I saw it when I was 13 and thought it was hilarious, but I cringe through almost all of it now, though I still find the whole gag about the assassin thinking Bernie's always alive to be among the funniest parts of the film....along with thinking about how in the WORLD they choreographed that part where they tie Bernie's legs to theirs and run. They had to practice that for several hours, I'm betting, lol?

[@Pinkielover]

meet Andrew McCarthy , he bought me and my sister dinner once it's a pretty long story I'll save you the boring stuff.. The guys genuinely a nice guy .. What you see , with him in this movie is how he acts but nicer he's more like the mannequin movie Character.. He sat and ate with us Definitely loves to talk ,Andrew McCarthy is a huge actor.He's been in so many movies in the 80s he's a icon

[@Nodoubtaboutit1977]

love this movie. It was actually filmed where i lived. I wish i was more into filming and stuff when it was being recorded i would have tried to go watch them film it

[@CaddyJim]

Theres actually a *(weekend at Bernie's ll)*

[@jeanine6328]

I’ve been waiting for someone to react to this. It’s terribly underrated in my opinion. My friends and I watched it repeatedly once it hit video stores. Yeah, I’m old. I arrived as 8-tracks were on their way out. Lol

[@randall-king]

My dad, mom, brother, and I saw this on VHS when it first came out. I remember that we laughed so hard throughout the whole movie. I think you’re right-nothing like this had been done before.

AT LAST !!!!!!!!! BRING THE POPCORN 🍿💪🏾

[@nathan3252]

This movie is based on a familiar concept with a dead person even after death having an impact on the living. In fact there is a historical example of this. El Cid after death was supposedly fitted with armor, put on a horse, and rode into battle against his enemies despite being a corpse. The mere sight of him was enough to strike fear into his enemies which aided in one final victory. Honestly I think this movie is so famous because it perfectly serves as a reference that people can call upon for select situations. For example. "I was so dead drunk that my buddies pulled a weekend at bernies and kept me looking alive despite being out cold." Another movie that pulls a similar stunt is Men at Work. It uses a similar concept though this time the actors are a lot more familiar. That movie on the other hand though is not as well known nor referenced. If you like the concept from this movie I recommend checking that one out though honestly there is better films out there.

[@Osprey850]

El Cid (1961), with Charlton Heston, would be a good film for Shan to react to, especially since he recently reviewed and liked Ben-Hur.

[@kurtn4819]

Of all the reactive reviewers out there, you may be the most capable. How you react to certain genres means you are biased from the beginning but your sense of fair play and love for the medium allows you to give every benefit of the doubt to a film. Also your method of breaking the film down into essential parts and evaluating each one separately with a standardized logic, makes following your thought process almost effortless. Furthermore you don't clog up the review with purely personal likes & dislikes. While we may choose which reviewers we watch based upon their personalities, we're not necessarily there for your personal likes & dislikes and are there more for your analysis.

[@monsoon1234567890]

Anyone else think of the waterskiing scene when thinking about this movie?

[@windandcloudshadow158]

One Crazy Summer also a great classic comedy you could check out 8).

[@TearDownGenesis]

I believe it was played often in syndication so many people grew up with it. I think a lot of people think fondly of it due to scenes they remember but not the whole movie.

[@BigGator5]

"How do you like that? The guy gets laid more times dead than I do alive." Fun Fact: Director Ted Kotcheff made a cameo as Richard's father (the man who comes out in his underwear and blows his cover). Historical Fact: Richard suggests they go to Jones Beach with all the syringes. This is probably referring to the infamous "Syringe Tide" in 1987-88, when medical waste, including used syringes, washed up on several beaches in New York/New Jersey, costing massive losses in tourist dollars.

[@Dreamfox-df6bg]

Aside from "The Trouble with Harry" (1955) someone already mentioned, 1971's 'Jo' with the comedian Louis de Funès has a similar premise.

[@kellybills2987]

Loved these movies when I was a kid. The sequel is pretty funny too.

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

I'm surprised to hear this didn't do well in the theater. To my memory, it was all anyone was talking about, at the time.

Maybe bad marketing but it went staple's status on VHS rental, cable TV, and public television.

[@Osprey850]

It made double its budget at the box office, so it did OK and didn't lose any money. It's home video and cable TV where it was really popular, though, and why it got a sequel (and why it was 4 years later).

[@raviamodernepic]

I grew up watching this and the sequel. Good shit 😊 Also, I think it is a cult classic/nostalgic for some because it was one of the first available VHS tapes for home purchase, kinda like Top Gun. My library had a copy that was always available, and I watched a lot of the cult classics from there.

[@victornewmanforever]

Director Ted Kotcheff also did First Blood!

[@patrickflanagan3762]

Honestly, this movie is a case of sarcastic praise slowly morphing into genuine praise, by way of repetition. At least here in America, this was one of those movies where for whatever reason was in massive replay on various cable channels for years, probably because it was short and silly enough to plug into any needed timeslot, day or night, and so a lot of us just ended up watching it 50 times. It was just such a ridiculous premise that you laugh at the audacity of anyone trying to stretch this out to feature length. I thought Andrew McCarthy played a pretty great jackass - before this he was mainly known for "nice guy" roles like ST. ELMO'S FIRE and PRETTY IN PINK. But Terry Kiser is legitimately great as Bernie here. The physical comedy is top notch and he never, ever, EVER loses that facial expression.

[@danielperry6921]

Parts one and two are just stupid fun. 😄

[@doreybain]

If someone had whispered 'Rosebud', I'm sure this movie would have won an Oscar. The cast was likeable and Terry Kiser as Bernie was wonderful. One of my favorite films. I always watch it to pick me up when I'm feeling blue.

[@barryhickman6911]

It was popular enough that they made a Weekend at Bernie's II !

[@davepowers3194]

This is 100% the kind of movie you watch when you just want to shut your brain off and laugh

[@stephwest1382]

This never gets old. No need for all the added stuff like in newer movies. Back in my day, simple is/was better. Bernie did almost all his own stunts. Playing dead and trust the guys to do all the work

[@chefskiss6179]

You've done so much work, you deserve a break!

[@0PsychosisMedia0]

This movie Jaws and Endless Summer are the 3 movies that I kick off the summer season every year.

[@jonbolton3376]

I came across this film last year and loved it.

[@krono5el]

I mean I grew up watching this and bernie lomax is in my memory forever, but i still dont know why this movie works or why a little kid would like it. gotta be the epitome of goofy 80s romp.

[@tristanhandley1622]

Fun fact there's a sequel that came out in 1993 "Weekend at Bernie 2" , and then a third "Joe Biden's Presidency" that came out in 2020.

[@ScarlettM]

Yeah, expect we can't seem to switch the music off on Biden. :))

[@stuntcock8921]

😂😂😂

[@atomicwest995]

I think it’s a cult classic because of how absurd the premise is, how very 80’s it is, and the fact that it was on cable repeatedly in the 90’s.

[@tokyochannel2020]

lol I havent seen this movie since the early 90s, including Weekend at Bernies II, thanks for reviewing it lol.

[@creasybear31]

Strongly recommend Night of the Comet also starring Catherine Mary Stewart!

[@ChrisReise]

I'm surprised you didn't recognize Andrew McCarthy (Larry). He's been in quite a few films. St. Elmo's Fire, 16 Candles. Terry "Bernie" Kiser used to play in a lot of tv shows in the 70's and 80's. The one that sticks out the most was the older brother of someone Jack was dating in "Three's Company" and Jack was afraid of him. He also played a psychiatrist is "Friday the 13th VII The New Blood".

[@TheRustyGuitarist]

This movie is really great. Totally absurd, but still hilarious! There's actually a sequel if you can believe it!! Definitely worth a watch if you want to turn your brain off for 90 mins.

[@chivalryalive]

Is there really a sequel!? Wow! I'm great at turning my brain off.... In fact it has been difficult to turn it back on a couple times! --I'll look for it. I'd like to see that. :-)

[@shawnlusby1538]

Believe it or not they made a Weekend at Bernie's 2. It came out years later (1993) and yes Bernie was still dead in it

[@justmeeagainn]

How do you not know Andrew McCarthy? He was huge in the 80s.

[@llorona7847]

Sometimes it’s nice to just sit down and enjoy an unrealistic goofy comedy to decompress. It doesn’t make you think too much and you can just have some laughs. McCarthy and Silverman each had decent film credits to their names at the time.

[@bpora01]

The Hamptons are like Beverly hills and Miami Beach rolled into one for New Yorkers

[@ShuffleUpandDeal32]

Part 2 is also fun, he is some how partially revived via voodoo, lol.

[@Mr79Man]

One of my 80's favorites.

[@HankMeyer]

Larry is one of my favorite movie characters of all time. He's clearly a psychopath, but it comes across as hilarious. A bit of filmmaking trivia: the movie is heavily inspired by the classic 1959 comedy :Some Like It Hot," about two guys who dress up as women to evade mafia assassins. The film is even referenced in the opening credits with the theme song that actually includes the words "Some like it hot."

[@davidq.5488]

One of those movies, "Don't bring your brain." Don't think about it too much. Or look for plot holes. Just try to enjoy it. TY for viewing!

[@MrVvulf]

I agree. I can see why people enjoy it, but it wouldn't even make a top 50 comedy list for me. But I'd still rather watch this than almost any Jerry Lewis movie.

[@jasondavidstapleton8337]

both movies made me laugh my butt off

[@rimlandrealist7679]

I have been waiting for the YT reactors community to come to this movie since 2020...

[@ShuffleUpandDeal32]

This is a classic

[@MattSipka]

I’ve seen this so many times and I didn’t realize the kid gives Burnie’s body a burial at the end.

[@CaddyJim]

Have you seen *(Short Circuit)*

Ah ha! Was it a light comedy? Or was it a powerhouse comedy? Ah haha! One can't judge a film before watching it first. 😂😈🤣 NEXT: _REVENGE OF THE NERDS_

[@oliviarogers2808]

I love this movie! It's dumb and it knows it and has so much fun.

[@liber7773]

I’m glad you chose this movie! I love Bernie

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

Not many people have done this movie which is kinda wild as practically all my friends back then saw and loved this movie

[@thefatman2780]

BRAVO. GREW UP WATCHING THIS FLICK. OVER & OVER & OVER. STILL WANT A PORSCHE GOLF CART.

[@Chimpangel]

I remember this movie back in 1989, when I was 12. It's so 80s, type of goofy comedy.

[@tree6787]

I used to love these movies every time they came on TV I would watch them

[@Mikesupr1]

If you mentioned recognising actors...the only one I recognise is Don Calfa as the killer because I know him from Return of the living dead. 🙂

[@dusty3913]

“I took very little time to collect my thoughts.” Haha. This movie borders on slapstick. It’s just good fun. Not all movies have to be so high-brow.

[@elleblank8916]

I unapologetically love this movie. It's so dumb and funny with no airs. I'm sad that the only other movie I've seen Terry Kiser in (other than the sequel to this) was Tammy and the T-rex which is it's own experience.

[@wildarmsfan]

I seen him also on Friday the 13th part 7 as Dr crews

[@JuliesWorldCrochet]

spot on analysis, it was just a fun movie. And the sequel, WAB2, was even better. Terry Kiser's Bernie in #2 is hilarious, just so well done.

[@BriBryBriBry]

Shan is pretty much in the top 3 on movie reactions when it comes to KZbin.. probably the smartest too. Some of these reactors are just beyond clueless lol.

[@BuffaloC305]

I remember it being very popular that summer, although it was released halfway thru it. Other than the delayed release for an obvious 'summer film', one other issue hurt: Andrew McCarthy was the more famous of the two Leads, yet the trailers showed he was second fiddle, in both the story and the "who gets the girl?" So, it's opening weekend wasn't as strong but word of mouth spread quickly and it was a good hit well past summer's end.

[@BuffaloC305]

"I didn't recognize anyone" means "I don't know too many films." That's all.

[@elzar760]

Haven’t’ seen the reaction yet, but I’m betting on more than a couple of good laughs!

[@dylanvanwijk9223]

Please continue with the Star Trek movies. I know you will love The Wrath of Khan.

[@apb672]

20:50 ya you got me still...

[@McPh1741]

Didn’t Ted Kotcheff direct First Blood?