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Bravura turns by Ralph Fiennes and Susan Sarandon in the title roles carry Bernard and Doris, director Bob Balaban’s 2007 film about the long relationship between zillionaire tobacco heiress-philanthropist Doris Duke and her butler, Bernard Lafferty. These are two fine actors (Sarandon has been nominated for five Oscars, winning for Dead Man Walking, while Fiennes has been nominated twice) at the top of their games. That’s a good thing, as they are on screen almost constantly; and the truth is that other than the evolution of the Duke-Lafferty bond, not a lot actually happens. Sarandon delivers a measured, almost casu
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Bravura turns by Ralph Fiennes and Susan Sarandon in the title roles carry Bernard and Doris, director Bob Balaban’s 2007 film about the long relationship between zillionaire tobacco heiress-philanthropist Doris Duke and her butler, Bernard Lafferty. These are two fine actors (Sarandon has been nominated for five Oscars, winning for Dead Man Walking, while Fiennes has been nominated twice) at the top of their games. That’s a good thing, as they are on screen almost constantly; and the truth is that other than the evolution of the Duke-Lafferty bond, not a lot actually happens. Sarandon delivers a measured, almost casual performance as Duke, a woman who seems relatively unpretentious (if clearly entitled) about her vast fortune, despite have done absolutely nothing to earn it. Duke barely even acknowledges her various employees, except to fire them (or occasionally sleep with them; the twice-married heiress has a predilection for studly, much younger men)--until Lafferty comes along, that is. Stone broke and fresh out of rehab (his alcoholism is an ongoing theme), the shy Irishman gradually ingratiates himself with his demanding employer until he becomes as much a companion as a servant. It helps that as a gay man, he has no interest in seducing her; moreover, unlike the many others who are out to get their hands on her money, Lafferty seems to genuinely value loyalty and friendship over more venal concerns ("I just want to take care of you," he says in one of several poignant scenes), and he’s rewarded with several million dollars and full control of her estate after her death (in 1993). Fiennes is also admirably restrained in a role that could have been meretricious and over the top; combine that with a fine script (by Hugh Costello) and some great songs by Peggy Lee, and a splendid time is guaranteed for all. --Sam Graham
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Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
Release date: 29 April 2008
Number of discs: 1
EAN: 0883929010059 UPC: 883929019854
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Login![Bernard & Doris [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]](https://i9.lisimg.com/image/products/280/B0012YN5AA/dvds/B0012YN5AA.jpg "Bernard & Doris [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]")
