Product Details

• Actors: Susan Sarandon, Ralph Fiennes
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Hbo Home Video
• DVD Release Date: April 29, 2008
• Run Time: 103 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0012YN5AA
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,011 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Bernard and Doris" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Bravura turns by Ralph Fiennes and Susan Sarandon in the title roles carry Bernard and Doris, director Bob Balaban’s 2007 film about the long relationship between zillionaire tobacco heiress-philanthropist Doris Duke and her butler, Bernard Lafferty. These are two fine actors (Sarandon has been nominated for five Oscars, winning for Dead Man Walking, while Fiennes has been nominated twice) at the top of their games. That’s a good thing, as they are on screen almost constantly; and the truth is that other than the evolution of the Duke-Lafferty bond, not a lot actually happens. Sarandon delivers a measured, almost casual performance as Duke, a woman who seems relatively unpretentious (if clearly entitled) about her vast fortune, despite have done absolutely nothing to earn it. Duke barely even acknowledges her various employees, except to fire them (or occasionally sleep with them; the twice-married heiress has a predilection for studly, much younger men)--until Lafferty comes along, that is. Stone broke and fresh out of rehab (his alcoholism is an ongoing theme), the shy Irishman gradually ingratiates himself with his demanding employer until he becomes as much a companion as a servant. It helps that as a gay man, he has no interest in seducing her; moreover, unlike the many others who are out to get their hands on her money, Lafferty seems to genuinely value loyalty and friendship over more venal concerns ("I just want to take care of you," he says in one of several poignant scenes), and he’s rewarded with several million dollars and full control of her estate after her death (in 1993). Fiennes is also admirably restrained in a role that could have been meretricious and over the top; combine that with a fine script (by Hugh Costello) and some great songs by Peggy Lee, and a splendid time is guaranteed for all. --Sam Graham

Product Description

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two roles created for two stars that shine,shine,shine!, March 2, 2008

By 

KerrLines ""Movies,Music,Theatre"" (Baltimore,MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bernard and Doris (DVD)

Anyone who occasionally listens to NPR or watches PBS has heard those words:"...and from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation..."

Doris Duke was the quintessential poor little rich girl, when at a young age,her millionaire father died,bypassing his wife, and leaving his entire fortune to his only heir,his daughter Doris.The opening credits of BERNARD AND DORIS flit by with newspaper headlines with the highlights of Doris growing up,marrying and divorcing numerous times,bailing Imelda Marcos out of jail for $5M,and news of her fortune growing and growing and growing.

Opening scene has Ms.Duke (a very sassy and played to perfection by Susan Sarandon!)casually dismissing her butler because "the cantaloupe is TOO cold"...and there it is!...get ready for a rough and interesting ride ahead that will cover the last years of this world class diva when she hires her new butler,Bernard Lafferty (a role chiseled for Ralph Fiennes) and the "unique" relationship that they forge against all sound advice. As only Bob Balaban could put such a humorous and touchingly ironic film together (I suppose after working so closely with the Christopher Guest gang lo these past years!Christopher Guest Collection (A Mighty Wind / Best in Show / Waiting for Guffman)), BERNARD AND DORIS takes two people ,totally from different walks in life,but believe in a common destiny and purpose and plan to this thing called life.

Sarandon and Fiennes are CONSUMMATE pros in this duet of oddness, and both show phenomenal expression and depth to their characters.Once you meet "their" Doris and Bernard you will be hooked into performances that have been IMO absent from both of them of late;but THIS material is just too good for the likes of Sarandon and Fiennes to not rise to the absolute top of their game.They are magic,and the chemistry flows like the wine they guzzle,the pills they pop,the people that they step on and the orchids they repot (while smoking pot!).There is a comfortability with the roles and it shows.That this relationship became speculation in later years after Ms.Duke's "uncertain" demise is part of the fun of the guessing about what their understanding was in this dramady from HBO.In fact,any movie that opens with the words'"Some of these events are true...and some are probably not" makes you chuckle and acknowledge that what you will see is going to be fun....and it is! This is Emmy and Globe material.Don't miss this one.Sarandon and Fiennes play the parts created for them,and you will always remember Bernard and Doris...trust me!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gently Riveting, February 15, 2008

By 

Boston Legal addict "r2katz" (Redlands, California USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bernard and Doris (DVD)

Having just now watched this movie I find it is still with me. Ralph Fiennes does an amazing and subtle acting job with miniscule changes in factial expression and body language....he is barely there and yet his presence is powerful. Susan Sarandon is totally believable in the part of Doris Duke and is drawn in, seemingly, into the vortex that is her butler. This movie is "based on truth" so one cannot assume a totally factual account of this relationship. It is but an interpretation. As such, I choose to believe that at a certain point in the "poor little rich girl's" life she has someone taking care of her in all the ways that matter and maybe for the first time in her life. Someone who honestly wants to be there for her and not her money. I've kept it on my dvr because I have a feeling I'll want to watch it again and purchase the DVD eventually. I gave it 5 stars because I lost track of time watching it and even now I'm not totally back to my world.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Straight To Cable TV ...But Why?, January 2, 2009

By 

B. Merritt "filmreviewstew.com" (WWW.FILMREVIEWSTEW.COM, Pacific Grove, California United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bernard and Doris (DVD)

Watching two powerful and exceptionally talented actors play across from each other is something of a marvel, and that is certainly part of what makes BERNARD AND DORIS a great film.

Based around the late history of tobacco heiress Doris Duke (here played beautifully by Susan Sarandon, In the Valley of Elah) and her close relationship with butler Bernard Lafferty (the phenomenal Ralph Fiennes, In Bruges), the film is a fictional take on the pair's relationship. Although no one knows what really happened between them, it is obvious that a friendship of unique qualities emerged. And Ralph Fiennes and Susan Sarandon are to be complimented on their astounding performances. Particularly Mr. Fiennes, who seems to turn every role he touches into gold (he did this, too, with his portrayal of The Duke of Devonshire in The Duchess). That Ms. Duke left millions of dollars under the stewardship of Mr. Lafferty after her death is a documented fact, proving that she trusted him implicitly (Ms. Duke was a very savvy businesswoman).

Some might think that sex had a part to play in it, but that would be a fools mistake because Mr. Lafferty was gay. And Ralph Fiennes plays the part of an early homosexual with perfect subtlety. His blossoming occurs under the keen eye of Doris, and the two give each other what they both need: companionship. It is a touching moment when Doris -- in a flustered state -- yells as Bernard and asks him, "What do you want from me?!" To which he simply replies, "To take care of you." And that is exactly what Doris needed in her waning years.

As Doris grows older and more ill (a debilitating stroke hits her), Bernard is given the opportunity to truly care for her, and he does so with Doris' final wishes at the forefront ("No one sees Ms. Duke without my permission.") Much of this leads to confrontations with her legal council and those worried about Doris' accumulated wealth. Was Bernard doing as Ms. Duke wished? Or was he just biding his time until Doris died and then pounce on her funds?

Regardless what you believe, Bernard was only given $5 million dollars and the rest he oversaw as a steward of many of Doris Duke's foundations. And upon his death (only a few years after Doris'), he donated all of his remaining money back to the Duke Foundation ...which should put to rest any worries about his motives.

Strangely enough, after this film was shown at a film festival, it was switched from a theatrical release and went straight to cable television. But the bigwigs at the film companies were dead wrong to do that. The performances are stellar and the movie engaging. It has now garnered 10 Emmy nominations (that's a ton!), three Golden Globe nominations, and two Screen Actors Guild nods. Had this movie been released to the general public via theaters, I feel certain it would've garnered even more notice. Shame on whoever let that slip through their fingers...