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.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Bernard and Doris (2006)

Trace every key event in Bernard and Doris (2006) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Doris Duke hires Bernard Lafferty as majordomo

Doris Duke hires Bernard Lafferty as her majordomo, bringing him into her vast world of households. He explains a six-month gap in his employment was due to rehab for alcohol addiction, a truth Doris suspects. She decides to take a chance on him to manage her affairs.

1987 Doris Duke's estate
2

Bernard asserts control and moves in

Bernard moves into the estate and proclaims himself 'Miss Duke's eyes and ears,' demanding staff obedience. He places portraits of his former employers in his bedroom as a show of power. Doris remains wary as the new dynamic reshapes the household.

1987 Doris Duke's estate
3

A stormy night bonds them emotionally

Doris returns from a plastic surgery center late one night, drunk and on painkillers, and Bernard stays with her through the night. An emotional closeness blooms, even if it remains non-physical. This night marks a turning point in their relationship.

late 1987 Estate
4

Horticulture lessons and daily routines

Doris teaches him about horticulture, especially orchids, and he takes charge of operating her households during her frequent absences. He takes pride in tending the estate and keeping everything in order. The routine becomes a quiet source of power and purpose for him.

Greenhouse and estates
5

Greenhouse flirtation and a frank disclosure

In the greenhouse, Doris flirts with him and even belly dances to seduce him. Bernard tentatively informs her that he 'swings in the other direction,' clarifying his sexuality. The moment underscores the complex power dynamics at play between them.

Greenhouse
6

World tours and a new closeness

Doris begins to take Bernard with her on world tours and convinces him to pierce his ear. As they travel, they grow closer, and Doris begins to favor him above everyone else. Bernard's sense of belonging deepens with his rising status.

On tour
7

Seduction and devotion

Doris attempts to seduce him; when he backs away, she asks what he wants from her. He replies, 'I want to take care of you, Miss Duke,' revealing his priority to serve over romance. The exchange cements a devotion that overrides romantic boundaries.

Estate
8

Drinking resurges and rehab becomes a tool

As Bernard settles into his role, he begins drinking again, initially discreetly but then more openly. Doris has him committed to rehab at her expense to manage his drinking. The move shows her continued control and his dependence on her favor.

Estate and rehab facility
9

Stroke and rapid role reversal

Doris suffers a stroke, and Bernard returns to take full control of her life. He adopts her look, wearing makeup and haute couture, and even develops a more feminine bearing. He vows to fulfill her wishes after death, solidifying his hold on her legacy.

Estate
10

A chilling promise and resentment

One night, Doris asks what he intends to do after she dies; he tearfully promises to fulfill her requests. Her final smile fades when she says she must be crazy to believe a 'fucker like you.' The moment exposes the riskiness of their entwined fates.

Estate
11

Taft vs. Bernard: the battle for control

Doris's attorney Waldo Taft tries to keep Bernard away, even offering money to leave. Taft calls the police to the estate, but Doris defends Bernard as 'peacefully devoted' and the officer leaves. The confrontation foreshadows the ongoing power struggle over Doris's fortune.

Estate
12

Nurse question and domination of care

Taft suggests hiring a live-in nurse, but Doris agrees with Bernard's plan to rely on his care instead, with occasional doctor visits. Bernard resents the nurse arrangement and works to maintain exclusive oversight of her daily life. The dynamic tightens his grip on her health and routine.

Estate
13

Doris dies and Bernard becomes executor

Bernard administers medicine and an injection to a sick Doris, and she dies that night. She appoints him executor of her vast estate, cementing his legal power over her fortune. In the immediate aftermath, rumors float of murder, but no evidence is found.

Estate
14

Board room after cremation

In the first board meeting after Doris's cremation, Bernard appears overtly in control, dressed in a manner reminiscent of Doris's, signaling his takeover of her persona. Rumors that he murdered Doris circulate but remain unproven. The episode underscores the precariousness of his authority and the eerie continuity of his façade.

Boardroom and garden
15

Three years later: death closes the circle

Three years after Doris's death, Bernard dies from complications related to his alcoholism. His life, inseparable from Doris's, ends with the same thread of dependency and control that defined their relationship. The film closes on a note of unresolved speculation about the nature of his power.

Three years later

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:32

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Bernard and Doris Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Bernard and Doris

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