Bernard and Doris (2006)

Director:

Bob Balaban

Writer:

Hugh Costello (writer)

Genre:

Biography | Comedy | Drama

Plot:

The story of the twilight years of tobacco billionairness Doris Duke and her relationship with her gay butler, to whom she left her entire fortune.

Plot Keywords:

Butler | Gay | Fortune | Orchid | Rehab

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 23 nominations

Cast

Susan Sarandon	...	Doris Duke
Ralph Fiennes	...	Bernard Lafferty
Peter Asher	...	First Butler
Don Harvey	...	Security Guard
Chris Bauer	...	Chef
Monique Gabriela Curnen	...	Paloma
Marilyn Torres	...	Nancy
Nick Rolfe	...	Ben
James Rebhorn	...	Waldo Taft
Dominick Dunne	...	Board Member
Thomas J. McGrath	...	Board Member
Gene Parseghian	...	Board Member
Henry S. Schleiff	...	Board Member (as Henry Schleiff)
Calvin Trillin	...	Board Member
Kunnath P. Namboodiri	...	Swami
David Kuhn	...	Dinner Guest
Neal Huff	...	Dinner Guest
Jim Bracchitta	...	Patrolman (as James Bracchitta)
Robert Penotti	...	Masseur
Bruce MacVittie	...	Doctor
Ed Onipede Blunt	...	Second Officer
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Vincent Bagnall	...	Chauffeur (uncredited)
Corey Hibbert	...	Security Guard #2 (uncredited)
Eliot Sash	...	Cop #1 (uncredited)
John Schuman	...	Cop in Cruiser (uncredited)
April Yvette Thompson	...	Ms. Chang (uncredited)

Directed by
Bob Balaban

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Hugh Costello		writer

Produced by
Amy J. Bailey	....	line producer: digital restoration, DTS Digital Cinema
Bob Balaban	....	executive producer
Dana Brunetti	....	executive producer
Jonathan Cavendish	....	executive producer
Adam Kassen	....	executive producer
Mark Kassen	....	executive producer
C. Cory M. McCrum-Abdo	....	associate producer (as Cory McCrum Abdo)
Mark Olsen	....	co-executive producer
Kevin Spacey	....	executive producer
Glen Trotiner	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Alex Wurman

Cinematography by
Mauricio Rubinstein		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Andy Keir

Casting by
Kim Moarefi
Nina Pratt
Fiona Weir

Production Design by
Franckie Diago

Art Direction by
Dirk Braeger

Costume Design by
Joseph G. Aulisi

Makeup Department
Milton Buras	....	hair stylist: Mr. Fiennes
Milton Buras	....	wig stylist: Mr. Fiennes
Stacey Butterworth	....	wig maker: Ms. Sarandon
Lynn Campbell	....	makeup artist: Mr. Fiennes
Marilyn Carbone	....	makeup artist: Ms. Sarandon
Verena Cristofaro	....	additional makeup artist
Waltaya Culmber	....	additional makeup artist (as Waltaya Culmer)
Robin Day	....	hair stylist: Ms. Sarandon (as Robin Maginsky Day)
Robin Day	....	wig stylist: Ms. Sarandon (as Robin Maginsky Day)
Paul Huntley	....	wig maker: Mr. Fiennes
Kristen Infield	....	additional makeup artist
Colleen Liddy	....	hair stylist: additional photography
Erica Lytton	....	additional makeup artist
Melissa A. Yonkey	....	wig consultant (as Melissa Yonkey)

Production Management
Tracey Guadagno	....	production supervisor
Mike Harrop	....	post-production supervisor: New York
Alexis Hudgins	....	production supervisor
Cynthia Kao	....	associate production supervisor
Mark L. Mitchell	....	post production executive
Glen Trotiner	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Stephen A. Glanzrock	....	first assistant director
Eric Richard Lasko	....	second assistant director: additional photography (as Eric Lasko)
Roger Lee	....	second assistant director (as Roger MacDonald Lee)
Glen Trotiner	....	first assistant director
Jonathan Yevin	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
Charles Colon	....	key construction grip: additional photography (as Charles Colón)
Liza Handziak	....	scenic artist: additional photography
Curtis Pollock	....	property master (as Custis Lytle Pollock)
Eric Robel	....	graphic designer
Leonardo Weiss	....	storyboard artist: additional photography
Elvis Strange	....	graphic designer (uncredited)

Sound Department
Gina Alfano	....	adr editor: New York
James Austin	....	engineering services: Skywalker Sound (as Jim Austin)
Chris Barron	....	digital sound transferer: Skywalker Sound (as Christopher Barron)
Antony Bayman	....	adr recordist
David Boulton	....	adr mixer
John Cannon	....	assistant sound editor
Otto Cedeno	....	boom operator: additional photography
Krissopher Chevannes	....	adr recordist (as Kris Chevannes)
John Countryman	....	digital sound transferer: Skywalker Sound
Robert Deschaine	....	adr mixer
Edwin Dunkley	....	video services: Skywalker Sound (as Ed Dunkley)
John Dunn	....	sound editor
Doug Ford	....	engineering services: Skywalker Sound
Jason George	....	sound editor
Jonathan Greber	....	digital sound transferer: Skywalker Sound
Chat Gunter	....	sound mixer: additional photography (as Chat Gutner)
Howie Hammerman	....	engineering services: Skywalker Sound (as Howard Hammermann)
Lora Hirschberg	....	sound re-recording mixer: Skywalker Sound
David Hunter	....	digital editorial services: Skywalker Sound
Lukasz Janik	....	sound mixer
Bobby Johanson	....	adr mixer
Leff Lefferts	....	digital editorial services: Skywalker Sound (as Leffert Lefferts)
Dave McMoyler	....	supervising sound editor
Carey Milbradt	....	foley mixer
Nathan Nance	....	sound re-recordist: Skywalker Sound
Mark Paterson	....	assistant adr recordist
Brandon Proctor	....	sound re-recording mixer: Skywalker Sound
Monique Reymond	....	foley artist
Ronald G. Roumas	....	sound re-recordist: Skywalker Sound
Geoffrey G. Rubay	....	supervising sound editor (as Geoffrey Rubay)
John Sember	....	boom operator
Tony Sereno	....	sound mix technician: Skywalker Sound
John Torrijos	....	video services: Skywalker Sound (as John 'J.T.' Torrijos)
Tami Treadwell	....	adr recordist
Ignacio Valero	....	boom operator
Karen Vassar	....	sound editor
Zach Martin	....	sound recordist (uncredited)
Matthew E. Taylor	....	sound editor (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Mandy Arnold	....	digital restoration artist: Laser Pacific
Michael L. Castillo	....	digital restoration artist: Laser Pacific (as Michael Castillo)
Sarah Coatts	....	visual effects producer: main title sequence: yU+co.
Mark Intravartolo	....	senior inferno artist: Modern Videofilm
Bruce Mann	....	digital restoration artist: Laser Pacific
Eric Robel	....	photo retouching
Jeff Schiffman	....	digital restoration senior production engineer: DTS Digital Cinema
Matt Sell	....	digital restoration artist: Laser Pacific (as Matthew Sell)
Mai Suzuki	....	digital restoration artist: Laser Pacific
Rob Wolpert	....	digital restoration project lead: DTS Digital Cinema
Bob Fox	....	digital artist (uncredited)

Stunts
John Schuman	....	stunt coordinator (as John-Eric Schuman)

Camera and Electrical Department
Carter Bissell	....	swing
Steve Briante	....	assistant camera
Charles Cann	....	grip (as Charles A. Cann)
John Corso	....	camera operator: additional photography
DeWitt Davis	....	swing
David George Ellis	....	steadicam operator (as David Ellis)
Frederick C. Galfas	....	key grip (as Frederick Galfas)
Derek Gross	....	gaffer
Christian Jara	....	best boy electric: additional photography
Arsen Keheian	....	grip: additional photography
Matthew Kerr	....	grip: additional photography (as Mathew Kerr)
Aaron Kovalchik	....	first assistant camera: additional photography
Chris Lally	....	key grip: additional photography
Kate Larose	....	second assistant camera
Paul Leroy	....	grip: additional photography
Nathan Gabriel Lopez	....	additional second assistant camera
Daniel Luebke	....	additional best boy grip (as Dan Luebke)
Thomas Petersen	....	best boy grip
Jeremy Rodriguez	....	grip: additional photography
Henning Thien	....	video engineer: additional photography
Travis Tomlinson	....	grip/electric intern
Craig West	....	second assistant camera
Casey Wooden	....	best boy electric
Allen Zellman	....	electrician: additional photography
Wayne Paull	....	additional camera operator (uncredited)

Casting Department
Joe Cappelletti	....	adr voice casting
Stanley Kaplan	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Johanna Argan	....	assistant costume designer
James Deanes	....	wardrobe assistant
Eric Gaskins	....	designer and maker: red satin gown
Juliet Ouyoung	....	costume shopper
Autumn Saville	....	assistant costume designer
Sara Tosetti	....	wardrobe assistant

Editorial Department
Michelle Botticelli	....	assistant editor: New York
Donnie Creighton	....	digital intermediate producer: Laser Pacific
Alex Cristo	....	post-production assistant
Daniel Dujnic	....	assistant editor: New York
Jeremy Frindel	....	assistant editor: New York
James Gadd	....	assistant editor: Los Angeles (as Jimmy Gadd)
Doug Jaqua	....	color scientist: Laser Pacific
William Lehman	....	assistant editor: New York
Harry Muller	....	lab color timer
Carrie Oliver	....	digital editor: Laser Pacific
Lee Percy	....	additional editor
Tim Vincent	....	color timer: Laser Pacific
Renannah Weinstein	....	assistant editor: New York

Music Department
Tom Brissette	....	score mixing assistant
Tom Calderaro	....	orchestrator
Heather Clark	....	musician: flute
Debbi Datz-Pyle	....	orchestra contractor: The Music Team
Ray Espinola Jr.	....	associate music supervisor
Larry Goldings	....	musician: piano
Steven Hufsteter	....	musician: trumpet (as Steve Huffsteter)
Evyen Klean	....	music supervisor (as Evyen J. Klean)
Joe LaBarbera	....	musician: drums
Michael Lang	....	musician: piano
Janet Lopez	....	music coordinator
Lawrence Manchester	....	score mixer
Lawrence Manchester	....	score recordist
Laura McLean	....	assistant: Mr. Wurman
Darek Oles	....	musician: bass
Jeffrey Schindler	....	conductor
Ellen Segal	....	music editor
Bob Sheppard	....	musician: alto sax
Perry Smith	....	musician: guitar
Alan Steinberger	....	musician: piano
Bob Thiele Jr.	....	composer: original songs and additional music (as Bob Thiele)
Robert Wolff	....	pro tools operator
Alex Wurman	....	musician: flügelhorn
Alex Wurman	....	orchestrator
Alex Wurman	....	score producer
Gina Zimmitti	....	orchestra contractor: The Music Team
Steve Durkee	....	score recording engineer (uncredited)

Other crew
Linda Algozer	....	medical consultant
Edwin Baker	....	title designer
Emily Baron	....	production assistant
Brett Batty	....	butler consultant
Stefan Bozydaj	....	production assistant
Greg Butler	....	dance instructor
Collin Carrothers	....	production assistant: additional photography
Eugene Choe	....	production assistant
Randi M. Cohen	....	production coordinator: additional photography
Katie Deutsch	....	production assistant
Becky Di Lallo	....	production assistant (as Becky Dilallo)
Peter Duchan	....	assistant: Mr. Balaban
Mark Edlitz	....	assistant: Ms. Sarandon
Michael Fabiani	....	assistant: Mr. Fiennes, additional photography
Neal Feldman	....	production assistant
Stephen Gabis	....	dialect coach
Jim Garvey	....	key production assistant
B.C. Hawkins	....	production intern (as BC Hawkins)
Justin Herman	....	production intern
Dadrea Heron	....	production intern
Kara Janeczko	....	assistant: Ms. Sarandon, additional photography
Kirsten Kearse	....	script supervisor: additional photography
Eric LaFranchi	....	production assistant (as Eric Lafranchi)
Grace Lee	....	production assistant
Nathan Lopez	....	production intern
Luther Lotz	....	production assistant
Patrick McLeroy	....	production assistant: additional photography
Anthony Merced	....	production intern: additional photography
Kelly Messias	....	assistant: Mr. Fiennes, UK
Synderella Peng	....	title designer (as Synderela Peng)
Patrick Petrocelli	....	assistant: Adam & Mark Kassen
Charlie Pinto	....	location assistant
Eva Porter	....	client services: Skywalker Sound
Maren Rahlf	....	production intern
Dr. Jennifer Rhodes-Kropf	....	medical consultant
Ryan Robertson	....	main title producer
Amanda Roche	....	production intern
Susie Ross	....	production assistant: additional photography (as Susan Ross)
Anatol Rotman	....	production assistant
Hayden Roush	....	production intern
Kate Schumaecker	....	assistant: Mr. Balaban
John Schuman	....	location manager
Craig Shilowich	....	production intern: additional photography
Jon Simpson	....	production assistant: additional photography
Sarah Sklar-Heyn	....	production intern
Gerard Sztabnik	....	production intern: additional photography
Martha Trachtenberg	....	research assistant: Re: Search
Etsuko Uji	....	title designer
Becky Veduccio	....	assistant: Mr. Fiennes, New York
Jacob Wasserman	....	production assistant: additional photography
Taj Whitesell	....	production assistant
Rachel Wiesner	....	production intern
Derek Yip	....	production accountant
Garson Yu	....	title designer
Stefan Bozydaj	....	assistant: Ralph Fiennes (uncredited)
Craig Cohen	....	production counsel (uncredited)
Cory Monden	....	senior engineer (uncredited)
Amy Teitter	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Sharon Watt	....	script supervisor (uncredited)

Thanks
Andy Arons	....	thanks
Marilyn Cooperman	....	thanks
Madeline Day	....	thanks
Paul Hunchak	....	thanks
Donna Karan	....	thanks
Eric Wheeler	....	thanks
Diahn Williams	....	thanks (as Diahn McGrath)

Production Companies

• Trigger Street Independent
• Little Bird Productions
• Burnside Entertainment
• Chicagofilms

Distributors

• HBO Films (2008) (USA) (TV)
• HBO Hungary (2009) (Hungary) (TV) (original airing)
• Home Box Office (HBO) (2008) (USA) (TV)
• Home Box Office Home Video (HBO) (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Bros. (2009) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Modern VideoFilm (inferno work)
• DTS Digital Cinema (digital restoration)

Other Companies

• A.E. Johnson Employment Agency  butler services
• Cars Of Yesteryear  picture cars
• Cars On Location  picture cars
• Caruso Caterers  catering
• Cinetic Media  sales agency
• DeLuxe Laboratories  prints
• Euroco  fitting space
• Goldcrest Post Production New York  adr recording facility
• Goldcrest Post Production New York  on-line editing
• Greenwood Cemetery  crematorium
• Laser Pacific  digital film recording (as Laser Pacific a Kodak Company)
• Laser Pacific  digital intermediate (as Laser Pacific a Kodak Company)
• McCue, Sussmane & Zapfel  legal services
• Owen & DeSalvo Company  post-production accountant (as Owen & DeSalvo, Co. CPA's)
• Page Two Bakery  catering
• Re: Search  research assistance
• Seven Letter Music Group  music preparation
• Skywalker Sound  sound post-production
• Sonart Productions  score mixing facility
• Sony Pictures Studios  score recording facility
• Sound One  adr recording facility
• Soundelux  sound editorial services
• Sunset Sound Studios  score recording facility (as Sunset Sound)
• The Music Team  orchestra contractor
• Todd-AO Scoring Stage  score recording facility (as Todd AO Scoring Stage)
• Todd-AO Studios  adr recording facility
• Wilshire Stages, The  ADR recording facility
• yU+Co.  title design: main and end titles

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Norway:10 (TV rating) | Norway:11 (self applied) | Singapore:M18 | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Trigger Street Independent

Trivia:

Susan Sarandon owns the dog who plays Doris' pet. The dog's name is Penny, a Pomeranian Maltese.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: "She said it was important. 'Perhaps I will get the feeling back ..." It's the same body of a newspaper article for two different articles. Around 23 minutes into movie. One article had headline of Doris Duke attending opening with Leonard Bernstein. The second headline was her buying a Boeing 737 for $25 million.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Doris Duke: Ugh! What is this?
First Butler: Cantaloupe, ma'am.

Movie Connections:

References Some Like It Hot (1959)

Soundtrack:

I Love the Way You're Breaking My Heart

Forgettable if without Susan Sarandon's performance

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.