With the possible exception of the father from whom she inherited her gazillions, the most important man in the life of one of the world's richest women was not one of her husbands, nor one of the young studs she kept around to service her, nor even her accountant or lawyer, but rather her gay butler. At least that's the story told in Bernard and Doris, a recounting of the relationship between tobacco heiress Doris Duke and her servant Bernard Lafferty—some of which, according to the cheeky little blurb that begins the film, “is based on fact.” Director Bob Balaban's 2007 effort features bravura turns in the title roles by Ralph Fiennes and Susan Sarandon. As written by Hugh Costello, the character of Doris Duke (1912-1993), played with a sense of casual entitlement by Sarandon, is the kind of woman who barely acknowledges her help, except to fire them (Lafferty's beleaguered predecessor loses his job because the cantaloupe is too cold) or perhaps sleep with them. But she's also no fool—she may not have earned her fortune, but she's savvy enough not to squander it—and when Lafferty (an admirably restrained Fiennes in a role that could have been way over the top) shows up, fresh out of alcohol rehab, she gradually accepts him as loyal (“I just want to take care of you,” he tells her, and both she and we believe it) and trustworthy (as a gay man, he has no interest in seducing her), ultimately becoming more of a companion than an employee. Add some great old tunes by Peggy Lee, and the result is a solidly entertaining film. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Bob Balaban, a 10-minute “Growing Up Rich: The Real Doris Duke” featurette on the real-life heiress, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a winning film.] (S. Graham)
Bernard and Doris
HBO, 109 min., TV-14, DVD: $26.98, Apr. 29 Volume 23, Issue 4
Bernard and Doris
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