Bernard and Doris
Every heiress needs a butler. Every butler needs a Duke.
Inspired by the true story of tobacco billionairess Doris Duke and her devoted Irish butler Bernard Lafferty, the touching HBO Films drama Bernard and Doris stars Oscar winner Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking) and Ralph Fiennes (The English Patient). After failed relationships with her previous waitstaff, Doris meets Lafferty, fresh out of rehab and without a penny to his name. She takes him on as her butler and he is put in the unenviable position of having to convince the notoriously demanding Duke to keep him in her employ. Directed by Bob Balaban (Gosford Park), the film effectively captures the elegance of a bygone era and is scored with countless musical standards, such as Peggy Lee's "The Best Is Yet To Come". Bernard and Doris tells the witty and endearing tale of an unconventional bond between a society "princess" and her flawed "pauper" of a butler.
Member Reviews
Suprisingly moving - Mercury
The struggle that Bernard and Doris both go through despite their very different economic statures is one that is both entertaining and moving. Doris Duke's story is quite intriguing in itself and the director did a wonderful job selecting certain facts and embellishing others to create a real hit of a movie. Bernard is a devoted butler and true friend to Doris, which initially confuses Doris. Doris' life is sad and full of searching, yet it ends with her life's gifts being spread to all she admired and cherished.Great Performances - johndeeca
Can two actors monopolize most of a movie and still hold our attention? They can if they are Susan Saradon and Ralph Fiennes! The movie explores the relationship between tobacco tycoon Doris Duke and her gay butler who inherits her fortune after her death. The complexities of these two, on the fringe, personalities are beautifully brought out by the great performances of both Saradon and Fiennes.GREAT PERFORMANCES... - Ricardo
and the audience could not expect anything less, given the talent of Sarandon and Fiennes. It's extremely difficult to make a movie flow seamlessly when only two main characters occupy the majority of the time, but the movie managed to entertain, disclose, and draw the audience into the story.
Definitely worth watching
Member Reviews
Read All...
Suprisingly moving - Mercury
The struggle that Bernard and Doris both go through despite their very different economic statures is one that is both entertaining and moving. Doris Duke's story is quite intriguing in itself and the director did a wonderful job selecting certain facts and ...Great Performances - johndeeca
Can two actors monopolize most of a movie and still hold our attention? They can if they are Susan Saradon and Ralph Fiennes! The movie explores the relationship between tobacco tycoon Doris Duke and her gay butler who inherits her fortune after her death. ...GREAT PERFORMANCES... - Ricardo
and the audience could not expect anything less, given the talent of Sarandon and Fiennes. It's extremely difficult to make a movie flow seamlessly when only two main characters occupy the majority of the time, but the movie managed to entertain, disclose, ...