Based on Mordecai Richler’s 1998 prize-winning comic novel, Barney’s Version is a candid confession of Barney Panofsky  a rather mundane-looking lead actor . This biopic of a rather turbulent life, which spans almost 4 decades, 3 wives and 2 continents.


Directed by Richard J. Lewis, whose previous works included the 1994 Genie Award-winning “Whale Music”, the story has a good mix of humour, wit and melancholy. Giamatti plays the title character with his warts-and-all eventful life as a gruff and flawed Jewish producer of second-rate TV shows through his company, Totally Unnecessary Productions. For his sterling conviction in bringing an irascible, grumpy Barney to life so effectively, Giamatti won his second Golden Globe for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (his first was in 2008 for John Adams).

In the course of the movie, he goes through 3 unsuccessful marriages to very distinctly different Jewish women. Barney’s first marriage to a tragic “free-spirit”, Clara (Rachelle Lefevre) ended with her suicide.

The union with the second Mrs. P. (Minnie Driver), a wealthy Jewish princess and a shopaholic, was doomed at the outset when he left his bride on their wedding day to pursue the love of his life, Miriam (Rosamund Pike). She plays his angelic third wife and doting mother to his 2 children.

He was happily married until his drinking exuberance causes his marriage to fall apart.

Far from a conventional leading man, Barney is overweight with a bald pate, smokes like a chimney, drinks incessantly and foul-mouthed.

It is hard to imagine how someone so lacking in sex appeal can inexplicably win over the women. Here, Giamatti charms with his authentic performance as an unlikely hero.

He is not worried about not being liked. His superb portrayal makes Barney a character that is difficult to love, yet hard to hate.

With his self-lacerating humour and wit, Barney challenges us to dislike him with his brilliant performance. He is on top of his game as he wonderfully executes his transition from a loathsome youthful man in his 20s into a sympathetic old man confronting death.
The supporting cast is fantastic too. Dustin Hoffman plays his well-intentioned father, Izzy, who gracefully weathers his son’s impulsive and colourful life. The chemistry between them is great and the father-son relationship is tender and acute.

Pike is impressive as well. She steals every scene she appears in with her beauty and elegance. It is a mystery how Pike would tolerate and fall for the likes of Barney. It leaves you wondering whether someone so irritable can be as irresistible in real life too.
The length of the movie was a tad long and paced in a somewhat somnolent manner.

The film meanders into some tenuously linked episodes like the mysterious disappearance of his friend, Boogie (Scott Speedman) and the over-extended performance of wife number 2. Well, some movie-goers, however, may prefer more bang for their bucks.
Towards the end of the movie, the tone shifts into a grim sentimental mood. Here, Giamatti shines as the dementia-stricken older Barney, which strangely makes you feel sorry for this man with few redeeming qualities.

Rating: 7/10
Opens 16 June
Age Rating: NC 16 (Some Sexual Scenes)
Runtime: 129 minutes
Directed by: Richard J. Lewis
Cast: Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman, Rosamund Pike, Minnie Driver, Rachelle Lefevre