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Bernard and Doris

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Synopsis

Susan Sarandon and Ralph Fiennes star in this tale of an unconventional bond between society gal Doris Duke and her gay butler Bernard Lafferty. Inspired by the true story the film follows the development of their unorthodox friendship and love. In the twilight of her life Duke finds herself depending on Lafferty to run her household and for coompanionship. Their unique relationship develops over the years to bring them closer until Duke ultimately leaves her fortune to him.

3 Reasons To buy this film

Ralph Fiennes stars as a gay man
We love Susan Sarandon!
The film is set in a bygone era of lush wealth.

Review

In this understated comic drama Ralph Fiennes stars as Bernard Lafferty,an alcoholic gay Irish butler who arrives at the home of ultra-wealthy Doris Duke (Susan Sarandon) with a letter of recommendation from Elizabeth Taylor. He's fresh from rehab with little more than the clothes on his back to his name. Miss Duke was notoriously demanding, rude and condescending to her help making it quite an uphill battle for Mr. Lafferty to stay sober. Over the course of six years Mr. Lafferty's loyalty paid off. When Miss Duke passed away she named him executor of her $1.3 billion estate and paid him $5 million for his services.

While the film is described as fiction, one might imagine that these events took place as described. Of course we'll never know as the lives of the super-rich are clouded in mystery. While Miss Sarandon's loves (sometimes paid) are depicted in detail, don't expect to see much of a love life for the flamboyant Mr. Lafferty. On one of her many journeys Miss Duke gave Mr. Lafferty a hand-made caftan, which he cherished. Later in the film she is seen encouraging him to wear make-up and drag much to the shock of the staff. While it's somewhat amazing that a woman who couldn't trust anyone chose to trust a gay butler with a nasty drinking problem, these two masters of acting pull it off. An excellent drama with comic moments, this one's worth a look.

-- Scott Cranin

Awards

- Best TV Movie or Miniseries
- Best Actress in a TV Movie or Miniseries (Susan Sarandon)
- Best Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries (Ralph Fiennes)

Product Format Information

DVD : $9.99

Availability: In stock and ready to ship
Close Caption: No
Region Code: 1
UPC: 883929010059

Studio : HBO, Warner

Features:
Audio commentary: With director Bob Balaban

Customer Reviews

The Story of Doris Duke

Amos Lassen wrote on 03/28/2011:

Doris Duke, the tobacco heiress, had a very interesting relationship with her shy butler, Bernard Lafferty. Duke, played wonderfully by Susan Sarandon hires Lafferty (Ralph Fiennes) who once worked for Elizabeth Taylor and Peggy Lee. He is an alcoholic, fresh out of rehab and becomes Duke’s gay alter ego as she sleeps with as many young men as she can. She makes different decisions without much thought. She does manage to take care of her tremendous wealth while her butler takes care of her house. As Bernard takes care of Doris’ extensive wine cellar, he falls off of the wagon and we watch as he tries to pull himself back together—not so much for his own good but for Doris.
Doris Duke had a very unusual life but she loved being alive. She was passionate about the foundations she created and endowed and she was very smart and a brilliant businesswoman. She had trouble with alcohol but there was a tender quality to the relationship she shared with Lafferty.
`In the movie we get a real look at the way the jet set lives as well as a look at the life of Doris Duke. Sarandon gives a wonderful performance as she creates the shrewd Doris Duke. Duke was so wealthy and powerful that she answered to no one. She did what she wanted when she wanted but she also possessed great intelligence. Fiennes is as good as Sarandon as he plays a lonely, passionate, alcoholic butler. His character is ambiguous and he is not seen as a manipulator as he has been depicted elsewhere.
Bob Balaban’s direction is excellent and the cinematography is wonderful. The movie is not a truthful depiction of what was—it is a movie meant to entertain and that it does. It is not meant to be a biography and it is simply meant to be enjoyed.