One of the most flawless films ever

I agree, for what this movie is- a modern slapstick, mindless, enjoyable escape from reality it is just about perfect.No deep message about the human condition, unless you get a bit metaphysical as to the phenomenon that all his "friends" didn't notice that he was dead. Hilariously, Bernie seems to live more when dead than many of us do when we are alive. Laugh and enjoy it for what it is, don't lamnent for what it is not.

You're absolutely right. This movie is highly underrated. The screenplay really is as tight as a drum. There's just nothing that could be trimmed or removed or improved about it. One must always excuse the overall premise when discussing it but it is superbly written. The two main characters are likable and have a good ying and yang type of a thing going on, the story hustles along but never feels rushed. And they all do a decent job of making it plausible and it's actually kind of a subtle dig at how self-absorbed everyone on the island is, that it's convenient for them all that Bernie exists and is rich and has a nice house and a nice boat and they're all using him and they don't take enough notice of him to see that he's dead.

The only times I feel it drags is during the development of the romantic sub plot between Richard and what's her name, particularly the scene when they are on the beach at night. But I think some of this has to do with her performance. That's the only thing that came anywhere near being describable as a "flaw" for me and it lasted for a bout 20 seconds.

I love the assassin's slow decent into madness. And the guy who plays Bernie does an amazing job. There are so many times when he must have been uncomfortable or even in pain, yet he manages to play it all off and trusts that the people propping him up wont leave him in an uncomfortable position or what have you.

And it's funny! I think a lot of people don't want to laugh at it because they feel that it's beneath them to laugh as something so sophomoric but there are many laugh-out-loud moments. Larry poking randomly at the controls of the boat in a failed attempt to start it, and then loudly exclaiming "this is a fancy boat!" never fails to make me laugh out loud. And then the whole bit about boats not having brakes, captain! is also quite hilarious banter that made them seem like real friends with real chemistry.

All-round it's a highly underrated screenplay, movie and group of performances that people too quickly dismissed and forgot about because of the overall premise and how silly and broad some of the humor was.

it's a movie that I watched many, many times when i was a child, which may go some way towards explained why I'm so *beep* up as an adult. But it's a movie that I recently revisited when it was on TV late one night, and I expected to be disappointed by it now as an adult but it hooked me right in from the very beginning and I was actually able to better appreciate how effective it is and how engaging and well put together it is.

I've seen a lot of movies that I loves as a child turn to garbage the moment I watch them as an adult but this was the only one that I not only still enjoyed but actually gained even more appreciation for.

No movie is flawless. However, WAB is such a wonderful feel good movie that one refuses to employ and criticism. So in that regards, I would confirm you sentiment: Flawless fun !

89’ brought so many great movies, as if the glory decade refused to go away. I laugh mostly at French comedies, and this type of humor is not really something that would make me laugh, but just the same, I simply adore it! It never gets boring, just great atmosphere and location to match. But make no mistake, magic of 80’s combined with great fun and characters, makes movies even more special.

I am just watching it again - you might be right. It doesn't have to be "Citizen Kane" to be flawless. I feel the same way about "Midnight Run" and "Bring It On".

I'll never understand why Terry Kiser wasn't nominated for a Best Actor award in 1989 for "Weekend At Bernie's". His performance as Bernie Lomax was by far superior to any of the nominees (and the winner, as well).

Just another way Hollywood screws over the dead! >:(

Still love this movie! I thought it was hilarious how Bernie's character become more likable when he was dead.

[deleted]

[deleted]