Watch Barney's Version

Barney's Version is a 2010 comedy-drama film directed by Richard J. Lewis, based on the book of the same name by Mordecai Richler. The film stars Paul Giamatti as Barney Panofsky, Rosamund Pike as Miriam Grant-Panofsky, and Jake Hoffman as Michael Panofsky. Set in Montreal and Rome, the movie follows the life of Barney, a television producer and writer, who is chronicling his own life in a memoir. Barney is a character with a sharp wit, a taste for fine cigars, and an irreverent view of the world. The story begins in the 1970s when Barney is a young man living in Rome. He is married to the free-spirited Clara (Rachelle Lefevre), but he falls in love with the beautiful and intelligent Miriam Grant (Rosamund Pike). After a heated argument with Clara, Barney proposes to Miriam and they start a new life together in Montreal.

The film chronicles Barney's life and his various relationships over the years. We see Barney's friendships with his best friend Boogie (Scott Speedman) and with an aging writer named Izzy (Dustin Hoffman). We also see his ups and downs with his family, including his father Izzy (Mark Addy), his two ex-wives, and his son Michael. Through it all, Barney is a witty and colorful character who tries to navigate the complexities of his own life.

As the movie progresses, we see Barney's life take a dark turn. His memory begins to falter, and he is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He is also accused of murdering his best friend Boogie, a crime he swears he did not commit. The rest of the film focuses on Barney's attempts to clear his name and reconnect with the people he loves before his condition worsens.

Paul Giamatti delivers a standout performance as Barney Panofsky, an interesting and complex character who is not always likable, but is always entertaining. Giamatti's portrayal of Barney is nuanced and multi-layered, making him a character that audiences can both love and hate at the same time. Rosamund Pike is equally excellent as Miriam Grant, Barney's second wife. Pike brings depth and intelligence to a role that could have been one-dimensional in the hands of another actress.

The supporting cast of the movie is also strong. Jake Hoffman, as Barney's son Michael, is particularly impressive. He brings a youthful energy to the role and has great chemistry with Giamatti. Scott Speedman is also memorable as Boogie, Barney's best friend, bringing a sense of danger and unpredictability to the role.

Richard J. Lewis does an excellent job of directing the film, balancing the movie's many tonal shifts with ease. The film is funny and poignant, and Lewis finds the perfect balance between the two. He also makes excellent use of the film's Montreal and Rome settings, giving the movie a sense of place and atmosphere that adds to its overall appeal.

Overall, Barney's Version is an impressive film that combines humor, drama, and a touch of mystery to create a unique and entertaining story. It is a film that will make audiences both laugh and cry, and is well worth checking out.

Barney's Version is a 2011 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 12 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 67.