On this day July 5, 1989, Weekend at Bernie's premiered in theaters and delivered one of the most offbeat comedies of the decade. Starring Andrew McCarthy, Jonathan Silverman, and Terry Kiser, the film told the story of two office workers who discover that their boss has died under suspicious circumstances and must pretend he is still alive to avoid being blamed for his death.
What followed was a wild string of slapstick situations and beachside chaos as Larry and Richard dragged Bernie’s lifeless body from party to party, fooling everyone around them. Terry Kiser’s performance as the convincingly limp Bernie became the centerpiece of the film’s bizarre humor and cult appeal.
Though reviews were mixed at the time, Weekend at Bernie's became a surprise hit and gained popularity on home video. It eventually spawned a sequel and cemented its place in 80s comedy culture.
80s insight: Weekend at Bernie's captured the anything goes spirit of late 80s comedy. It took a dark idea and turned it into something unforgettable through pure commitment to the absurd.
What followed was a wild string of slapstick situations and beachside chaos as Larry and Richard dragged Bernie’s lifeless body from party to party, fooling everyone around them. Terry Kiser’s performance as the convincingly limp Bernie became the centerpiece of the film’s bizarre humor and cult appeal.
Though reviews were mixed at the time, Weekend at Bernie's became a surprise hit and gained popularity on home video. It eventually spawned a sequel and cemented its place in 80s comedy culture.
80s insight: Weekend at Bernie's captured the anything goes spirit of late 80s comedy. It took a dark idea and turned it into something unforgettable through pure commitment to the absurd.
