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Wonderful character development!

Sorry, this movie sucks

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

The acting in this movie is really good.

Bernard and Doris (2006)A remarkably well told, subtle and moving movie. At first it might seem to about nothing, and the characters are stereotypes. But this is not at all the truth, as both Susan Sarandon and Ralph Fiennes are compelling and complex in their roles.What finally happens between this butler who might have a drinking problem in his past and this woman who is a bit loose and unafraid of anyone is something neither of them expected. A kind of true love, though not in a normal, intimate way. Even better, really, respecting their different roles all along. Even at the end, when you know them and love them, the dramatic act that starts and then finishes the movie is tender and profound without a bit of sentiment or cheap heart-tugging. Well done!The fact that this is based on a true story (loosely, they say) doesn't change the honest intimacy implied throughout. It's a quite movie—even as dramas go, it has lots of space and very quiet conversation. That's a strength, to me, but a warning to people looking for something more intense.Mostly it's the really sincere, remarkable acting by the two leads, who take up almost every minute of screen time. You lose all sense that they are acting. Wonderful stuff. See it if it sounds like it might be your thing. Underrated.

This film is about the mysterious relationship between a wealthy woman, Doris Duke, and her butler."Bernard and Doris" is a film that is hard to put a finger on. On one hand, it portrays the mysterious relationship between Bernard and Doris beautifully. What they have is more then just employer and servant, but more like a friend, and even more than just friends. On the other hand, I find a lack of emotional engagement between the story and the viewers. The film and the characters do not make me care about them. Fortunately, Susan Sarandon is amazing as she showcases her acting talent. She is stylishly arrogant at first, assertive but approachable in the middle and frail at the end. "Bernard and Doris" is worth watching just for Susan Sarandon's performance alone. The film would have become quite forgettable without her.

A tale of two losers, one who happens to be the billionaire Doris Duke.With all her money, it is shown that the latter can't bring happiness. Duke lives in a closed-existent world and is soon attracted to her butler played by Ralph Fiennes.The scene with the two celebrating her birthday is ridiculous. Fiennes suddenly dresses up with earrings, makeup, etc. To say that he looks ridiculous is to put it mildly.This butler was there just for the money. That he gave Duke some happiness was just a matter of coincidence.Sarandon is too young for the part. What Bette Davis could have done for this part!The film is uneven since it starts with Duke ignoring Lafferty (Fiennes) and suddenly he is the head of the house. It didn't show how he got into her good graces.

I wasn't sold on the idea of watching a film about a rich weirdo and the lawsuits that entail, post-mortem, ala "LIFETIME" nightly movies. I wanted to see Ralph work with Susan, but I still wouldn't have watched unless I researched the production of "Bernard and Doris". I saw Bob Balaban is directing.I've never seen Bob Balaban's work as director. I've enjoyed all of Bob's acting credits which I've seen, particularly his improvisational skills in recent SCTV/Spinal Tap-quality films. I figure Bob knows the HW weirdness like nobody else due to his insightful improvisations. He gets it.Therefore, he could do it, and bring it in below budget.Great direction: Lighting and cinematography were far better than recent films I paid money for. I haven't seen Ralph perform this well since QUIZ SHOW, but he brought his talents to what was clearly a communal table of talent.Susan Sarandon does very well, and the Susan/Ralph team works. The script works, and sells the story.Balaban seems to have done much more with far less than this film portends to be, even for an HBO FILM.