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Bernard and Doris (2006)

103 min  -  Biography | Comedy | Drama
6.5
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Ratings: 6.5/10 from 1,774 users  
Reviews: 20 user | 13 critic

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.

Director:

Bob Balaban

Writer:

Hugh Costello
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Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 25 nominations See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Susan Sarandon ...
Ralph Fiennes ...
Peter Asher ...
First Butler
Don Harvey ...
Security Guard
Chris Bauer ...
Chef
Monique Gabriela Curnen ...
Marilyn Torres Marilyn Torres ...
Nick Rolfe ...
Ben
James Rebhorn ...
Dominick Dunne ...
Board Member
Thomas J. McGrath Thomas J. McGrath ...
Board Member
Gene Parseghian Gene Parseghian ...
Board Member
Henry S. Schleiff Henry S. Schleiff ...
Board Member (as Henry Schleiff)
Calvin Trillin Calvin Trillin ...
Board Member
Kunnath P. Namboodiri Kunnath P. Namboodiri ...
Swami
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Storyline

Sympathetic look loosely based on the relationship between tobacco heiress, Doris Duke (1912-1993) - think Duke University - and her shy butler, Bernard Lafferty. The icy and mercurial Duke fires her butler for serving a chilled cantaloupe; the agency sends Lafferty, formerly household staff to Liz Taylor and to Peggy Lee. He's an alcoholic, fresh out of rehab. He gradually becomes Duke's gay alter ego as she romps through life sleeping with young men, making shrewd decisions quickly, managing her fortune and orchids as Lafferty manages her New Jersey estate. With a wine cellar to die for, Bernard falls off the wagon. Can he pull himself together when Doris needs him? Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Butler | Gay | Fortune | Wine Cellar | Rehab  | See more »

Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Also Known As:

Bernard & Doris - Complici amici See more »

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

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

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. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Doris Duke: Ugh! What is this?
First Butler: Cantaloupe, ma'am.
See more »

Connections

Featured in The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards (2008) See more »

Soundtracks

"All I Need Is You"
Written by Mitchell Parish, Benny Davis and Peter De Rose
Performed by Susan Sarandon See more »