Bernard and Doris (2006): Cast & Plot
Bernard and Doris is a 2006 comedy drama directed by Bob Balaban, starring Susan Sarandon as Doris Duke, Ralph Fiennes and James Rebhorn. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 43m (103 min)
- Director
- Bob Balaban
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Burnside Entertainment
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Bernard and Doris About?
The premise of Bernard and Doris without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Tobacco heiress Doris Duke develops an unlikely friendship with her butler, Bernard Lafferty.
Bernard and Doris Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- butler
- homosexual
- attempted bribery
- driving under the influence
- rehabilitation
- platonic relationship
- gay character
- alcoholic
- heiress
- reckless driving
- plastic surgery
- pierced ear
+38 more Show fewer
- high society
- gay man straight woman relationship
- employer employee relationship
- cross dresser
- reference to peggy lee
- reference to elizabeth taylor
- billionairess
- police officer
- male nudity
- gay straight relations
- coffin
- alcohol abuse
- male rear nudity
- stroke
- older woman younger man relationship
- cremation
- charity
- board of directors
- alcoholism
- slug
- fired from a job
- bottle
- painkiller
- pianist
- pill
- siren the alarm
- will reading
- dress
- fish
- chauffeur
- scarf
- potting a plant
- cell phone
- female led relationship
- male and female protagonists
- mixed orientation relationship
- friendship between man and woman
- character names as title
Bernard and Doris Cast & Characters
Susan Sarandon leads the cast as Doris Duke, with Ralph Fiennes as Bernard Lafferty and James Rebhorn as Waldo Taft. Directed by Bob Balaban; 25 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Bob Balaban
-
Susan Sarandon as Doris Duke -
Ralph Fiennes as Bernard Lafferty -
James Rebhorn as Waldo Taft -
Don Harvey as Security Guard
Also Starring in Bernard and Doris
· 21 more- Chris Bauer Chef
- Neal Huff Dinner Guest
- Bruce MacVittie Doctor
- Monique Gabriela Curnen Paloma
- Peter Asher First Butler
- Marilyn Torres Nancy
- Dominick Dunne Board Member
- Calvin Trillin Board Member
- Jim Bracchitta Patrolman
- Vincent Bagnall Chauffeur (uncredited)
- Nick Rolfe Ben
- Gene Parseghian Board Member
- Thomas J. McGrath Board Member
- Henry S. Schleiff Board Member
- Kunnath P. Namboodiri Swami
- David Kuhn Dinner Guest
Show all 25 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Robert Penotti Masseur
- Ed Onipede Blunt Second Officer
- Eliot Sash Cop (uncredited)
- John Schuman Cop (uncredited)
- April Yvette Thompson Ms. Chang (uncredited)
Bernard and Doris Plot Summary
What happens in Bernard and Doris from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Doris Duke Susan Sarandon, widely described as the wealthiest woman in the world, hires Bernard Lafferty Ralph Fiennes to be her trusted majordomo. Bernard explains a six‑month employment gap as “health issues,” a euphemism for rehab to battle alcohol. Doris, sharp and suspicious by nature, quickly senses the truth, yet she agrees to give him a chance. As Bernard moves into the sprawling estate, his penchant for control becomes evident: he plants portraits of his former bosses, Elizabeth Taylor and Peggy Lee, in his bedroom and proclaims himself “Miss Duke’s eyes and ears,” demanding obedience from the staff. Despite Bernard’s growing attachment, Doris treats him with a brash bluntness that borders on dismissive, even forgetting to pronounce his name correctly at times.
Full summary
The whole story of Bernard and Doris, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Bernard and Doris?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actress portrays the heiress Doris Duke?
Bernard and Doris Also Known As
19 alternative titles, including “Bernard och Doris” and “Bernard & Doris”.
- Also known as
-
- Bernard och Doris
- Bernard & Doris
- Bernard ja Doris
- Bernard & Doris - Complici amici
- Bernard și Doris
- Bernard und Doris
- ברנארד ודוריס
- Бърнард и Дорис
- Бернард и Дорис
- Bernard és Doris
- Bernard y Doris
- Bernard ve Doris
+7 more Show fewer
- Bernard e Doris - O Mordomo e a Milionária
- Bernard et Doris
- Bernard a Doris
- Bernard i Doris
- Bernard in Doris
- Бернард і Доріс
- 伯纳德与桃瑞丝
Seen Bernard and Doris?
Movies Like Bernard and Doris
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Bernard and the Genie, Bernice Bobs Her Hair and Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke.
Bernard and Doris FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Bernard and Doris, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Bernard and Doris?
Bernard and Doris runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).
When was Bernard and Doris released?
Bernard and Doris was released on September 1, 2006.
Who directed Bernard and Doris?
Bernard and Doris was directed by Bob Balaban.
More films by Bob Balaban Who is in the cast of Bernard and Doris?
Bernard and Doris stars Susan Sarandon as Doris Duke, Ralph Fiennes as Bernard Lafferty and James Rebhorn as Waldo Taft, among 25 credited actors.
Does Bernard and Doris have a post-credit scene?
No. Bernard and Doris has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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