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Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman, Rosamund Pike, Minnie Driver, Rachelle Lefevre ... see more see more... , Scott Speedman , Bruce Greenwood , Macha Grenon , Anna Hopkins , Jake Hoffman , Mark Addy , Saul Rubinek , Thomas Trabacchi , Clé Bennett , Harvey Atkin , Massimo Wertmuller , Howard Jerome , Linda Sorensen

This seriocomic adaptation of Mordecai Richler's award-winning 1997 novel stars Paul Giamatti as Barney Panofsky, who meets the great love of his life, Miriam (Rosamund Pike), at the most inopportune ... read more read more...time imaginable: his marriage to his second wife (Minnie Driver), a wealthy Jewish princess and compulsive shopper. Narrated by Barney as a confessional, the film covers 30 years of his unusual journey -- from his first marriage to the chronically unfaithful free spirit Clara (Rachelle Lefevre) and their life in Italy together, through his third marriage to Miriam, with whom he has two children. Standing in the wings is Barney's father, Izzy (Dustin Hoffman), who continues to stick by him as his loyal right-hand man. Through it all, Barney experiences numerous highs and lows, but manages to consistently surprise everyone with unforeseen acts of altruism and kindness that turn him into the quintessential modern hero. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

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78% liked it

16,572 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

130 critics

R, 2 hr. 12 min.

Directed by: Richard J. Lewis

Release Date: January 14, 2011

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DVD Release Date: June 28, 2011

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Flixster Reviews (1,165)

  • fb1038944442
    February 16, 2012
    fb1038944442
    Barney's Version is an enjoyable and amusing disappointment, particularly for ex-Montrealers and those fans of the Richler book like me. The individual performances are mostly excellent, but the sum of its parts is a big letdown.

    I quarrel with director Lewis's throwing out of ... read morethe non-linear structure of the book for a more banal approach. In the book, Richler brilliantly starts with Barney trying to write a memoir to tell his side of a story before he loses his marbles. The thing he is mainly trying to correct is the perception that he killed his best friend Boogie. In this movie 'version', the events are mostly chronological, (it does jump around a little bit in time) and Boogie (Scott Speedman) quickly dies in the middle and Barney gets Alzheimer's at the end. Hence, there is less interest in finding out the truth. Without that, I'm not even sure what the point of this movie is.

    Further, Paul Giamatti, a sensitive and soulful schlep, who gives terrific perfomances in almost all his films, (see my review of Win Win) seems to be unable to hit the right note as this character. Paul does not have the charisma to make us believe that this guy could get three stunningly beautiful women to marry him, and get away with his bad behavior towards them all. In the film he is grumpy, self aborbed and distant, without the redeeming quality of wit. If he is meant to stand in for author Richler, he is neither as charismatic nor as sexy and funny as the man himself. I know, I saw RIchler read numerous times.

    Dustin Hoffman gives a delightful performance as Barney's vulgar Borscht belt ex-cop dad, and Rosamunde :Pike is luminous as the love of Barney's life, Miriam, who he loses at the end, after meeting her at a wedding ceremony for his unnamed Jewish Canadian Princess wife (Minnie Driver, passably amusing). Also in the film's favour, the forty year aging process for Giamatti and :Pike, both from an acting and makeup point of view is very effective. And Pike is barely 30!

    Also on the plus side, the film is a love letter to Montreal, and it looks great in all its locations. The Roman scenes are nice, too, even though these scenes in the book were set in London. That didn't bother me. Apparently Richler is a huge seller in Italy.

    It's a bit like an OK Woody Allen comedy with far fewer laughs. Barney's Version is worth a look for Richler fans, but the movie version of 'The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz' is still the best film 'version' of his work.
  • fb701560354
    February 7, 2012
    fb701560354
    The whole film is filled with impeccable performances but Paul Giamatti, Rosamund Pike and Dustin Hoffman really stand out. Barney's Version may move a little slow for some, but it's comedy and drama, and insight into modern romance make for a great story by Mordecai Richler, ev... read moreen if it's a little confusing in places and hard to watch.
  • stuartb1234
    December 13, 2011
    stuartb1234
    At best it's ok. It is not as bad as it's cinema take would make you believe, but likewise it is not as good as some of the review would have you think. It passes a few hours but at no point did I really feel gripped, or even more than mildly interested.
  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    September 4, 2011
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    A bold character study, spanning 30 years in the life of Barney Panofsky (Giamatti); a man who seems to wear his imperfections on his sleeve. It's because of his flaws that we the audience can relate to him so well. It's because of his flaws that he is such a completely intriguin... read moreg character in such a rewarding and accomplished film. Paul Giamatti is brilliant in one of his finest performances. The film; equally brilliant.
  • rjayhutchinson
    August 14, 2011
    rjayhutchinson
    Sometimes solemn and somber, sometimes witty and charming, "Barney's Version" is a reflective, thoughtful film about life and love. Paul Giamatti is outstanding in the title role, leading us through the believable, yet fictional, life of Barney Panofsky. The film, however, though... read more wholly watchable, tip-toes around a few story arcs, leaving the viewer confused in some ways. Nevertheless, the film is a solid addition to the biographical film genre.
  • fernandorafael
    August 3, 2011
    fernandorafael
    There's enough material ripe with drama, and even more of it is evidently aimed at getting laughs, but the switch between genres is violent and renders Barney's Version a complete tonal misfire. Besides, the characters in the film are pretty much impossible to empathize with: dee... read moreply flawed and with hardly any redeeming qualities, not to mention underdeveloped. The film revolves around a stunning performance by Paul Giamatti, which is aided by extraordinary (and most importantly, convincing) makeup by Adrien Morot and supported by an appealing cast that includes Rosamund Pike, Dustin Hoffman, Scott Speedman, Rachelle Lefevre and Minnie Driver.
  • lewiskendell
    August 3, 2011
    lewiskendell
    "Have I ever given up, when it comes to you?"

    The life, loves, and memories of a very flawed man. Giamatti is great as always and it's always nice to see Minnie Driver and Rosamund Pike in solid roles, but the movie as a whole was a mixture of very average and very good. Worth s... read moreeeing once for almost everyone, but probably not twice for me.
  • fb1400820048
    July 13, 2011
    fb1400820048
    [short DVD review] Giamatti slowly unravels an incredible performance, but unfortunately this character study sets up more dominoes than it can knock over, particularly a murder plot framing device we just don't care about. And what happened to Paul Gross's scenes?
  • LWOODS04
    July 6, 2011
    LWOODS04
    Cast: Paul Giamatti, Rosamund Pike, Minnie Driver, Scott Speedman, Dustin Hoffman, Jake Hoffman, Mark Addy, Saul Rubinek, Rachelle Lefevre, Bruce Greenwood

    Director: Richard J. Lewis

    Summary: Paul Giamatti stars as Barney Panofsky, a Jewish Canadian television producer wh... read moreo reflects in flashbacks on three strange decades -- and three wives -- in this adaptation of Mordecai Richler's acclaimed novel. There's Clara (Rachelle Lefevre), a free-spirited proponent of free love; "Mrs. P" (Minnie Driver), a self-centered princess; and Miriam (Rosamund Pike), the right woman who comes along at the wrong time.

    My Thoughts: "What a great story-telling movie. The past and present scenes where done so well. I never got confused as the story went on. I really enjoyed how it played out. A great love story of loss, laughter, murder, heart break, and everything else wrapped up in one film. There is so much going on in the film, but it is brilliantly done and it all flows really well. Paul Giamatti, he's a favorite of mine. He can do it all and is amazing in his role. Dustin Hoffman was so much fun as Izzy Panofsky. He was great as Barney's father. Really liked him in the film. All the supporting actor's did a wonderful job in the movie. I absolutely recommend this one to all."
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    July 6, 2011
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "For the first time in my life, I am truly in love."

    The picaresque and touching story of the politically incorrect, fully lived life of the impulsive, irascible and fearlessly blunt Barney Panofsky.

    REVIEW</
    ... read morefont>
    Giamatti has always given impressive performances. Since he's one of those actors who doesn't quite fit the Hollywood mold of a star, it's not hard to focus on the performance, rather than the familiar look of a star or someone's identity. Seeing a regular guy allows us to identify with the character, with his story, his emotions; in other words, we care.

    The movie details the experiences of Barney throughout three of his marriages, particularly the last one. Wonderfully played by Rosamund Pike, here is the perfect partner for Barney, a rather imperfect human being, who hasn't found his life partner. It's not easy to like him since he's prone to go overboard with his drinking, he loves his cigars, and he can be a bit too honest at times. However, there is something likable about him, and all this becomes obvious to Miriam, a woman who someone manages to see the good in him and manages to bring some peace into his life.

    Eventually, the film reaches his moving conclusion, with Barney's flaws threatening to sabotage the relationship between him and Miriam. The last third of the film highlights the strengths and weaknesses in their relationship, and how the outcome is decided by nature. There are some very tender and moving moments in the final scenes of the movie, with both Giamatti and Pike doing extraordinary work. We have seen similar situations in movies before, yet it's the way these actors convey the bond between these two people that makes the film work. When I went in, I expected an amusing mystery/comedy, in the end "Barney's version" was touching look into the lives of people just like us.

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Critic Reviews

Rafer Guzman
March 18, 2011
Rafer Guzman, Newsday

The movie, much like your own life, is best enjoyed when you don't know exactly what happens next. Full Review

Roger Moore
February 18, 2011
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Barney's Version is a messy movie, the odd emotional moment sneaking in around rank melodramatics. And if that sounds a little like life itself, that's kind of the point. Full Review

Michael Rechtshaffen
February 11, 2011
Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter

Highly entertaining and arguably the most satisfying Richler screen adaptation to date. Full Review

J. R. Jones
February 11, 2011
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

This has the overstuffed feel of a sprawling, life-spanning story that's been wrestled down to feature length. Full Review

Tom Long
February 11, 2011
Tom Long, Detroit News

The parts are greater than the whole in "Barney's Version," a rambling look at a shambling man's adventures in love. Full Review

Chris Vognar
February 11, 2011
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

Paul Giamatti can do spunky (Cinderella Man) and stately (John Adams), but he's at his best turning potentially loathsome men into sympathetic characters that command your attention. Full Review

Carrie Rickey
February 3, 2011
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

That rumpled grumpus Paul Giamatti seizes the title role in Barney's Version, summoning irresistibility and irritability to create a character as endearing as he is galling. Full Review

Ty Burr
February 3, 2011
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

'Barney's Version'' is a smart, well-acted two hours at the art house, full of witty observations and fellow feeling. But, really, it has no business being a movie. Full Review

Bill Goodykoontz
February 2, 2011
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

The fact that we can stand to watch Barney without walking out is testament to Richler's story, Michael Konyves' screenplay and Lewis' direction. Full Review

Dan Kois
January 28, 2011
Dan Kois, Washington Post

Yes, it's well acted and frequently touching. But it's the thoughtful, tasteful indie-film version. It's not exactly Barney's version. Full Review

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    • Barney Panofsky: You look like a king, a fucking king.
    • Izzy Panofsky: "He had a hard on the size of a can of hair spray"
    • Clara: Well, I thought it was yours.
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