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Barney's Version

R Released Jan 14, 2011 2h 12m Drama Comedy List
77% Tomatometer 137 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Toward the end of his life, Barney Panofsky (Paul Giamatti) looks back on his triumphs and tragedies, beginning with an ill-fated relationship with Clara (Rachelle Lefevre), whom he marries when she becomes pregnant. When that falls apart, he moves back home to Montreal and gets married twice more, finally finding contentment with Miriam (Rosamund Pike), his third wife. Through it all, Barney is sustained by his work in television, raising children and the advice of his father (Dustin Hoffman).
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Barney's Version

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Critics Consensus

With a magnificent performance by Paul Giamatti, Barney's Version offers much comedy and insight to the complexities of modern romance.

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Critics Reviews

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Leonard Maltin leonardmaltin.com Paul Giamatti is one of those actors whose presence in a movie generally validates it, and Barney's Version is no exception. He manages to make a central character with few-if any-admirable traits not only bearable but downright compelling. And... Jun 29, 2011 Full Review Jim Schembri The Age (Australia) The ever-impressive Paul Giamatti (American Splendour, John Adams) shines in this rambling Canadian character study. Rated: 3/5 Mar 31, 2011 Full Review Philippa Hawker The Age (Australia) If Giamatti's performance is rigorously unsentimental, director Richard Lewis and writer Michael Konyves (adapting Morechai Richler's novel) succumb, a little too often, to slow-moving warmth and wryness. Rated: 3/5 Mar 23, 2011 Full Review Richard Crouse Richard Crouse Gives Paul Giamatti his most memorable part since Sideways Rated: 3.5/5 Jan 31, 2021 Full Review Brent McKnight The Last Thing I See The film never coalesces, and despite the positive bits, the story is simply too long, too rambling, and too obvious to be completely successful. Rated: C+ Jul 13, 2020 Full Review David Harris Spectrum Culture If I was Barney, I would want to forget this movie too. Rated: 1.8/5 Nov 6, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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bill p You might think this is just another rom-com but it's actually a serious drama with some stellar acting. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review bao s After wading through an overwrought story heavy on melodramatic characterizations precariously held together by the acting of one man, I find myself at a ridiculous ending. It wasn't that great from the get go, but the ending made it absolutely terrible! Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review isla s This is an amusing film about a bit of a sleazeball character - his highs and (moreso) lows through the previous few decades. Its somewhat re-assuring to see him get his comeuppance in different ways. The comedy is visual, mostly slapstick style. Its an entertaining and decent enough sort of a watch - not exactly brilliant but certainly not bad or awful. I'd say this is worth a watch, although I'm not sure I'd specifically recommend going far out of your way to see it, its ok. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Boring and over long, this movie really failed for me because I just could not like the central character. He has a sense of entitlement and little gratitude for the amazing women that come into his life. The film essentially reeks of misogyny. Pointless milestones in the film such as the death of his friend the police investigation and the final illness really didn't generate any emotions or points to the film plot comma I was just wishing for him and it to end. Really one of those films we think why the hell did I just waste 2 hours watching it Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review robert b A classic. One of my top five favorite movies of all time. Giamatti at his best. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review dave s Adapted from Mordecai Richler's fantastic novel, Barney's Version tells the story of Barney Panofsky (Paul Giamatti), a Montreal television producer who seemingly lacks anything resembling redeeming qualities. Suspected of murder, guilty of adultery and absorbed by his own personal demons, most of which he created, Barney stumbles his way through life in a cloud of cigar smoke in search of his next cocktail. Thanks to its faithfulness to the novel and the script by Canadian Michael Konyves, despite Barney's blatant shortcomings, it's surprising how much sympathy the film generates for such a morally bankrupt character. But the real reason to watch the movie is the performance of Giamatti, who gives what could be his most powerful performance in a career filled with powerful performances. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Toward the end of his life, Barney Panofsky (Paul Giamatti) looks back on his triumphs and tragedies, beginning with an ill-fated relationship with Clara (Rachelle Lefevre), whom he marries when she becomes pregnant. When that falls apart, he moves back home to Montreal and gets married twice more, finally finding contentment with Miriam (Rosamund Pike), his third wife. Through it all, Barney is sustained by his work in television, raising children and the advice of his father (Dustin Hoffman).
Director
Richard J. Lewis
Producer
Robert Lantos
Screenwriter
Michael Konyves
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Serendipity Point Films, Fandango, Lyla Films, Harold Greenberg Fund
Rating
R (Some Sexual Content|Language)
Genre
Drama, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 14, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 14, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.5M
Runtime
2h 12m
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