Bernard and Doris

Bernard and Doris

Year: 2006

Runtime: 103 mins

Language: English

Director: Bob Balaban

TV MovieComedyDramaHumanity and the world around usCaptivating relationships and charming romance

Tobacco heiress Doris Duke develops an unlikely friendship with her butler, Bernard Lafferty.

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Timeline & Setting – Bernard and Doris (2006)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Bernard and Doris (2006). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1987

Set in 1987, the film captures the late-1980s milieu of extreme wealth that frames the power dynamic between Doris Duke and her new majordomo. The era's excess and media attention provide a backdrop for Bernard's rise and the staff's loyalty. The period also sees Doris's health crises and the eventual transfer of control after her stroke.

Location

Doris Duke's estate

The story unfolds primarily within Doris Duke's opulent estate and its network of households. The sprawling residence, its staff, and the greenhouse where Bernard and Doris share moments establish a world of wealth and meticulous order. Orchards and horticulture are central visuals, reflecting Doris's wealth and controlling personality.

🏰 Estate 💎 Wealth 🌿 Gardens

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:28

Main Characters – Bernard and Doris (2006)

Meet the key characters of Bernard and Doris (2006), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bernard Lafferty (Ralph Fiennes)

Neurotic, meticulous, and fiercely devoted to order, Bernard becomes Doris Duke's majordomo and self-proclaimed 'eyes and ears.' His past rehab hints at fragility beneath his polished control. As their bond deepens, he negotiates care, sexuality, and power, even as alcohol threatens his performance and judgment.

🧭 Control 💊 Addiction 🌸 Orchid Care

Doris Duke (Susan Sarandon)

A brilliant, brash heiress who wields her wealth with sharp wit and volatile mood. She hires Bernard and subjects him to tests of loyalty while fiercely guarding her independence. Her stroke and death intensify the power struggle and cast a shadow over Bernard's ascent as executor.

💎 Wealth 🗣️ Power 🪴 Orchid Garden

Waldo Taft (James Rebhorn)

Doris's attorney and financial advisor, wary of Bernard's influence. He distrusts the new majordomo and acts as a counterweight to Bernard's authority, nudging the estate's governance and sometimes clashing with Bernard's plans. Taft's interventions reflect the legal and financial guardrails surrounding enormous wealth.

💼 Lawyer 🕵️ Suspicion ⚖️ Wealth

Board Member (Calvin Trillin)

A member of Doris's governing board who embodies the wider governance surrounding her fortune. He represents the conservative, cautious perspective, balancing Bernard's aggressive control with the estate's fiduciary duties.

🏛️ Board Member 💼 Wealth 🕵️ Prudence

Board Member (Dominick Dunne)

Another director involved in overseeing the estate's affairs, offering a mix of scrutiny and social page credibility. His presence underscores the high-society context in which the power struggle unfolds.

🏛️ Board Member 💼 Wealth 🕵️ Prudence

Board Member (Gene Parseghian)

A board member contributing to the guardianship of Doris Duke's estate, representing the institutional layer that can constrain even a close confidant like Bernard.

🏛️ Board Member 💼 Wealth 🕵️ Prudence

Board Member (Thomas J. McGrath)

Part of the directorate that reviews Bernard's actions and the estate's financial well-being, reminding viewers that behind wealth there are formal checks and balances.

🏛️ Board Member 💼 Wealth 🕵️ Prudence

Board Member (Henry S. Schleiff)

A director who weighs Bernard's decisions against the long-term interests of Doris Duke's legacy, highlighting the tension between devotion and fiduciary duty.

🏛️ Board Member 💼 Wealth 🕵️ Prudence

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:28

Major Themes – Bernard and Doris (2006)

Explore the central themes of Bernard and Doris (2006), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👑 Power & Control

Bernard asserts control over Doris's life, claiming a gatekeeping role as 'Miss Duke's eyes and ears' and maneuvering staff to enforce his plans. His rise to executor highlights wealth-driven authority and domination within a closed world. The surrounding board and family figures repeatedly test or challenge that control, hinting at danger and intrigue.

🤝 Caretaking

A fragile caretaker relationship develops as Bernard tends to Doris's needs, teaching him about orchids and managing her households. The care evolves from professional obligation to a deeply personal bond, complicated by Bernard's own vulnerabilities. The dynamic explores devotion, dependency, and the line between care and control.

🪞 Identity

Bernard's persona begins to mirror Doris's in appearance and manner, signaling a fluid, performative identity. He wears her makeup and dresses in a way that blurs who is in control. The transformation raises questions about authenticity, power, and how wealth can shape selfhood.

💎 Wealth & Isolation

The film uses extravagant wealth to isolate its characters, creating a bubble where manipulations go unchecked. Bernard's loyalty and the board's caution underscore how money creates distance from ordinary consequences. The eventual insinuations of murder and subsequent lack of evidence emphasize the precariousness of wealth-fueled relationships.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:28

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Bernard and Doris Summary

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Bernard and Doris Timeline

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Bernard and Doris Timeline

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