Bernard and Doris

As usual they make another story about Doris and once again the truth never comes out. All of the books are incorrect, and now all of the movies are fabricated trash. Why can't they tell the real story of Miss Duke? Because they have never contacted the people who actually knew her and were with her during her best years. Such a fascinating woman reduced to chasing men and drinking endlessly with a butler whom looked nothing like Ralph Fiennes but more like Louie Anderson. A complete waste of film and time, why focus on the butler who was a corrupt drunk after her money. Focus on the real Doris one day and you will see a woman that is completely different in every way. Such a shame to see this mess that HBO came out with, she wasn't even at Falcon Lair at the end. The whole movie was basically nothing more then fiction and lies. I can't even continue it was so bad...It's really a shame because she was such a fascinating woman, more then anyone will ever know.

One thing you can say about this film is that the lead cast do not let you down. There are really only two actors here, Sarandon and Fiennes and they are the only things that stop this film being dreadful. She is quite believable as a rich, bad tempered cosseted poorly educated boor. She radiates everything that is wrong about unearned income. She cares for nothing and nobody but herself and her attempts at 'spiritual development' are so nauseating that it's tempting to fast-forward. Bernard seems such an unperson, a person of such low self-esteem that he only lives through his pathetic arse-kissing of Doris. There really was no reason to make a film about two such dull people. On the plus side though, there is no glossing over the shallowness of their lives, and that's something Hollywood rarely does convincingly.

Bernard and Doris (2006) A remarkably well told, subtle and moving movie. At first it might seem to about nothing, and the characters are stereotypes. But this is not at all the truth, as both Susan Sarandon and Ralph Fiennes are compelling and complex in their roles. What finally happens between this butler who might have a drinking problem in his past and this woman who is a bit loose and unafraid of anyone is something neither of them expected. A kind of true love, though not in a normal, intimate way. Even better, really, respecting their different roles all along. Even at the end, when you know them and love them, the dramatic act that starts and then finishes the movie is tender and profound without a bit of sentiment or cheap heart-tugging. Well done! The fact that this is based on a true story (loosely, they say) doesn't change the honest intimacy implied throughout. It's a quite movie—even as dramas go, it has lots of space and very quiet conversation. That's a strength, to me, but a warning to people looking for something more intense. Mostly it's the really sincere, remarkable acting by the two leads, who take up almost every minute of screen time. You lose all sense that they are acting. Wonderful stuff. See it if it sounds like it might be your thing. Underrated.

Ralph Fiennes is always fun to watch. He is delicious in this not very good movie, playing an insecure naif awash in the wake of a self-destructive pragmatist. His face and especially his voice evoke pathos of the most intimate sort. Sadly the movie is a waste of his talents and my time. Bob Balaban has pretty good taste; it was bred into him. He's of that class of New York intellectuals, whether they come from New York or not (he doesn't) who always seem to say and do the appropriate thing. There's nothing really wrong with his direction here, but the script's eventless enough to give him nothing really very important to do as a director, except not embarrass himself. He doesn't. But he doesn't really distinguish himself either. Susan Sarandon, besides being altogether too attractive and healthy-looking to play this part convincingly, belongs to a class of actresses of a certain age, all of whom are very good, none of whom I can watch without thinking, "Well, she's not Meryl Streep, is she?" It's too bad, because she never does anything wrong, and it's certainly not her fault she's not Meryl Streep. I wonder if Meryl loses any sleep over being about 35% better than everybody else.

This is a fantastic movie. I don't know thing one about the life and death of Doris Duke, and as it says in the beginning credits: "Some of this film is based on facts...Some of it isn't." What writer Hugh Costello, director Bob Balaban, actors Susan Sarandon and Ralph Fiennes have come up with here is sheer brilliance. Two troubled people who come together, almost accidentally, only to find that each of their unique psychological troubles meshes extremely well with the other's. Yes, it's a story about "enabling" and "codependence", but it's also a story of the power of friendship and loyalty (no matter how sadly unhealthy it might be for both parties involved). I can't say enough good things about the performances of both Sarandon & Fiennes, not to mention all the other actors, and the director, cinematographer, etc... But I must say, the writing is paritcularly effective. The story of these two people's intertwining lives comes off as so true, so kind-of tragic, and so compelling, that I will never forget this film. Bravo!!!

The film is more than watchable- it's very, very good. Just don't confuse it with biography. Nothing that we know about the reality of either person is admirable. If you forget about the "real" Doris Duke, whoever she "really" was, you can enjoy the performances for what they are- excellent, engaging, even charming, and certainly proficient. Neither actor is ever less than excellent, even when performing poor material, and this material isn't bad. Realistic- well, maybe not so much. The Doris of "Bernard and Doris" was a monster, warped almost beyond human recognition by unimaginable wealth - it's a terrific portrayal of a person who lacks intellect and real education almost entirely but who has unlimited resources for self indulgence - a sort of a rock star cubed. Bernard admired and wanted to BE that monster, as the last scene reveals. Rather instructive, really.

This film is about the mysterious relationship between a wealthy woman, Doris Duke, and her butler. "Bernard and Doris" is a film that is hard to put a finger on. On one hand, it portrays the mysterious relationship between Bernard and Doris beautifully. What they have is more then just employer and servant, but more like a friend, and even more than just friends. On the other hand, I find a lack of emotional engagement between the story and the viewers. The film and the characters do not make me care about them. Fortunately, Susan Sarandon is amazing as she showcases her acting talent. She is stylishly arrogant at first, assertive but approachable in the middle and frail at the end. "Bernard and Doris" is worth watching just for Susan Sarandon's performance alone. The film would have become quite forgettable without her.

If there is a clue to the relationship between Doris Duke and her live-in assistant, Bernard Lafferty, it seems to be the moment in which she asks him point blank: "What do you want from me?" After all, Ms. Duke was used to buy people left and right, as it was rumored was the case when she paid a million dollars to French actress Danielle Darrieux for the privilege of divorcing playboy Porfirio Rubirosa. Doris, who evidently got tired of people and things easily, had the upper hand in dealing with what she needed at any particular moment. "Bernard and Doris", an HBO film, directed by Bob Balaban, and conceived by Hugh Costello, is based on a relationship that is perhaps a fantasy in the mind of its creators. Fact and fiction are mixed freely, although this movie doesn't try to give us reality because after all, Doris Duke's real life story would have probably made a Hollywood epic. Some things that come out in the film show us an heiress who enjoyed sex. That explains her marriage to Rubirosa a notorious man of mystical sexual prowess. Doris is seen bedding a rough man who, while satisfying her, he sought to have fun with her maid as well. When she fired the servant she immediately regrets it because of being fond of the way she worked. Bernard Lafferty, a man that had a huge drinking problem, came to work for Doris during her last years. In the film, Bernard is subservient and meek, when reality indicates he probably ruled Doris life with an iron fist. The figure that emerges is not exactly who one could imagine him to be because of the many accusations after Doris' death. The real Lafferty and the screen Lafferty are two different persons. The film is worth a look because of the work of the two principals. Susan Sarandon is totally convincing as Doris as is the case with Ralph Fiennes the way his character was conceived for this screen treatment. This is one of Susan Sarandon's best roles in quite some time. Mr. Fiennes is great fun to watch as the gay butler that loved to wear his employer's finery. Maurice Rubinstein's cinematography captures the plush interiors of the Duke's estate. Alex Wurman contributed the music score and the editing of Andy Keir work well with Mr. Balaban overall concept.

I couldn't look the film up to now. In Eastern-Middle Europe HBO doesn't play it (I have three HBO channels), but the clips and the trailer I could reach were poignant. Two brilliant actor in interesting roles in an interesting situation. I saw the first variation too with Bacall and Chamberlain it was good, but Bernard's role was simplified: a live Lord Voldemort or Gregory Anton from the 'Gaslight', a live Devil. This formulation seems more interesting: a vulnerable, alcoholic, asexual, transvestite girl-man who adores Doris , wants to be like she is , wants a mother whom he missed lifelong, wants to merge in her. No one knows whether this or the previous variation is true. This one is more complicated , more poetic, the realization (on the clips) is closer to me.

I wasn't sold on the idea of watching a film about a rich weirdo and the lawsuits that entail, post-mortem, ala "LIFETIME" nightly movies. I wanted to see Ralph work with Susan, but I still wouldn't have watched unless I researched the production of "Bernard and Doris". I saw Bob Balaban is directing. I've never seen Bob Balaban's work as director. I've enjoyed all of Bob's acting credits which I've seen, particularly his improvisational skills in recent SCTV/Spinal Tap-quality films. I figure Bob knows the HW weirdness like nobody else due to his insightful improvisations. He gets it. Therefore, he could do it, and bring it in below budget. Great direction: Lighting and cinematography were far better than recent films I paid money for. I haven't seen Ralph perform this well since QUIZ SHOW, but he brought his talents to what was clearly a communal table of talent. Susan Sarandon does very well, and the Susan/Ralph team works. The script works, and sells the story. Balaban seems to have done much more with far less than this film portends to be, even for an HBO FILM.