It was the last year of the 1980’s and this was one of the comedy classics that still holds up today as a good film to watch. There was a sequel made Weekend at Bernie’s II (1993) it had some amusing moments in it also but the original film was better. Ted Kotcheff directed this, and it was written by Robert Klane. It would be considered a comedy with some action in it. (Lots of gags with an animated corpse)
Mostly this a good old fashion slapstick humor picture with Andrew McCarthy playing Larry Wilson and Jonathan Silverman as Richard Parker. They are two guys trying to climb up the corporate ladder. They happen to stumble upon a noticeable computer error which turns out to be someone stealing money from the company. They present it to their boss played by Terry Kiser as Bernie Lomax. He invites them to go over things at his weekend getaway in the Hamptons with a nice beachfront view.
From then on, things get whacky, as the story takes a turn. The mob gets involved with the situation and drastically things change as Bernie dies. The story becomes quite goofy. But that is what this film is goofy and silly with lots of well timed and played out scenes from the cast. Terry Kiser makes a great corpse on screen. You will see why after watching this one. They pretend he is still alive and try to get through the weekend somehow.
Catherine Mary Stewart is also in this film as the character Gwen Saunders she appeared in many films; some standouts are Night of the Comet (1984) and The Last Starfighter (1984). She is the love interest of Jonathan Silverman’s character Richard Parker and gets wrapped up within the story as well. Don Calfa appears in this as Paulie (Vito’s Hit Man), Catherine Parks is Tina, Vito’s Girl, Eloise DeJoria plays Tawny, Gregory Salata is Marty Vito’s Assistant, Louis Giambalvo is Vito, Ted Kotcheff is Jack Parker, Richard’s Dad, Margaret Hall is Bernie Lomax’s Secretary, Timothy Perez is the Central Park Mugger, Mark Kenneth Smaltz is Harris, a Security Officer, Anthony Mannino is the Superintendant, and Polly Segal is the Woman in the Elevator.
I thought Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman had great chemistry working together and maybe they can team up again in another film. This was an entertaining film to see.
This was originally a made for tv movie then was released on video.
I found it to be quite entertaining, and yet there were some nice romantic moments between several of the characters. I remember watching actress Helen Slater, who I had a little crush on when she was in Supergirl (1984). I thought she did quite well in that movie as Lisa Fredericks, although it didn’t seem to receive the audience it wanted. In this movie 12:01 she does very well alongside the likes of Jonathan Silverman playing the lead role of Barry Thomas who is probably best known as one of the leads in Weekend at Bernie’s (1989).
I would compare this film to the movie Groundhogs Day (1993) with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell.
The base story is the same, but different in many other ways, if you enjoyed that movie, you will probably like this one also.
There are some other familiar faces in this one such as Constance Marie playing the role of Joan Zevo who later would go on to star in the George Lopez television series. You might also recognize actor Nicolas Surovy as Robert Denk from his television work. I’m sure you will also notice his best friend in this movie, played by actor Jeremy Piven in the role of Howard Richter. He has been in many movies and television series. And last but not least actor Martin Landau as Dr. Thadius Moxley.
There are many different scenarios as the story passes by, and we get to see the main character Barry Thomas experience the entire day over and over again. Will he set things right? You will have to check this one out to find out! I recommend this one for everyone to see.
