Bernard and Doris (2007)

Director:

Bob Balaban

Writer:

Hugh Costello (writer)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

The story of the twilight years of tobacco billionairness Doris Duke and her relationship with her gay butler, to whom she left her entire fortune.

Plot Keywords:

Older Woman Younger Man | Bequest | Maid | Relationship | Duke University

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Susan Sarandon	...	Doris Duke
Ralph Fiennes	...	Bernard Lafferty
Peter Asher	...	First Butler
Don Harvey	...	Security Guard
Chris Bauer	...	Chef
Monique Curnen	...	Paloma (as Monique Gabriela Curnen)
Marilyn Torres	...	Nancy
Nick Rolfe	...	Ben
James Rebhorn	...	Waldo Taft
Dominick Dunne	...	Board Member
Thomas J. McGrath	...	Board Member
Gene Parseghian	...	Board Member
Henry S. Schleiff	...	Board Member (as Henry Schleiff)
Calvin Trillin	...	Board Member
Kunnath P. Namboodiri	...	Swami

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Trigger Street Independent

Trivia:

Susan Sarandon owns the dog who plays Doris' pet. The dog's name is Penny, a Pomeranian Maltese.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: "She said it was important. 'Perhaps I will get the feeling back ..." It's the same body of a newspaper article for two different articles. Around 23 minutes into movie. One article had headline of Doris Duke attending opening with Leonard Bernstein. The second headline was her buying a Boeing 737 for $25 million.

Movie Connections:

Version of Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke (1999) (TV)

Soundtrack:

I Love the Way You're Breaking My Heart

Bernard and Doris-They're Not Exactly Bonnie and Clyde **

A tale of two losers, one who happens to be the billionaire Doris Duke.

With all her money, it is shown that the latter can't bring happiness. Duke lives in a closed-existent world and is soon attracted to her butler played by Ralph Fiennes.

The scene with the two celebrating her birthday is ridiculous. Fiennes suddenly dresses up with earrings, makeup, etc. To say that he looks ridiculous is to put it mildly.

This butler was there just for the money. That he gave Duke some happiness was just a matter of coincidence.

Sarandon is too young for the part. What Bette Davis could have done for this part!

The film is uneven since it starts with Duke ignoring Lafferty (Fiennes) and suddenly he is the head of the house. It didn't show how he got into her good graces.