Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

       View All       Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

      Barney's Version

      R Released Jan 14, 2011 2 hr. 12 min. Drama Comedy List
      77% 137 Reviews Tomatometer 78% 10,000+ Ratings Audience Score 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). Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered May 07 Buy Now

      Where to Watch

      Barney's Version

      Fandango at Home Prime Video Apple TV

      Rent Barney's Version on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

      Barney's Version

      What to Know

      Critics Consensus

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

      Read Critics Reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (1000+) audience reviews
      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 Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

      Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

      More Like This

      View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
      55% 59% Remember Me, My Love 70% 48% Somewhere 68% 48% Life During Wartime 78% 50% Solitary Man 71% 51% Our Idiot Brother Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

      Movie News & Guides

      View All Movie News & Guides

      This movie is featured in the following articles.

      Critics Consensus: The Green Hornet Recieves Bad Buzz

      Photos

      View All Barney's Version photos

      Barney's Version

      Barney's Version (2010) Barney's Version (2010) Barney's Version (2010) View more photos

      Critics Reviews

      View All (137) Critics Reviews
      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

      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
      Executive Producer
      Mark Musselman
      Screenwriter
      Michael Konyves
      Distributor
      Sony Pictures Classics
      Production Co
      Fandango, 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
      Most Popular at Home Now