Bernard and Doris (2007)

Two stars for two stars...

Of course, the performances are riveting. Just to be in the same room with these greats is a treat.
However, this is a lifeless film, which might have been titled, "Zombies In Love." It went on and on and
on, drab and exhausting to the final, gray, ending. Or, I should say, it "expired," as did its leading lady. Two more empty-headed, befuddled, besotted (with each other and alcohol) bores could not be
found on the planet. I think it was supposed to be a tragedy, but the true "tragedy" was watching it,
because of one's fascination with these two brilliant actors (not the sad sacks they portrayed). Skip this
movie unless you are "under the influence." June 29, 2008

MASTERclass

HBO must once again be commended for a movie as unexpected and as pleasurable as any seen in recent months, on the big screen or on TV. There is enough in the inspired Sarandon-Fiennes performances to recommend it, in the apt and character-driven dialogue which make this more than your conventional TV bio. There is also Bob Balaban's knowledgeable direction, as well as the choice soundtrack which - both in the jazz instrumentals as in the (unfamiliar-to-me) Peggy Lee: 'I Love the Way You're Breaking My Heart' - becomes as revealing of the characters as does the narrative itself.

Given the expediencies of movie industry, 'Bernard and Doris' regrettably went directly to television. It is unfortunate that many like myself can expect to experience these treasures only by chancing upon them while surfing through cable.
June 22, 2008

The Story of Doris Duke

"Bernard and Doris"

The Story of Doris Duke

Amos Lassen

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.
May 5, 2008

Two roles created for two stars that shine,shine,shine!

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! March 2, 2008

Gently Riveting

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. February 15, 2008

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