BARNEY’S VERSION (eOne, 2010) D: Richard J. Lewis, w/ Paul Giamatti, Rosamund Pike. Rating: NNNN DVD package: NNNN Rating: NNNN
One of the good things about Barney’s Version, and a key reason you can watch it more than once, is that you’re given room to make up your own mind about Barney Panofsky. He’s got his good points – loyalty and a loving heart – and his bad – rudeness and alcoholism. But nothing in the story (adapted from Mordecai Richler’s final novel), style or Paul Giamatti’s beautifully nuanced performance tries to sanctify or vilify him.
Barney, a 60-something Montreal TV producer, reflects on his three marriages, the first in Rome (Rachelle Lefevre). He meets his third wife (Rosamund Pike) and tries to run away with her at his wedding to the second (Minnie Driver).
The flashback structure keeps us focused on Barney’s big moments. Love, hate, betrayal, jealousy, murder and suicide propel a tonally consistent mix of comedy and drama. The entire cast shines, but Dustin Hoffman and Saul Rubinek stand out as Barney’s dad and his first father-in-law respectively.
In a one-hour interview before a live audience, Giamatti speaks thoughtfully about the role, his acting methods and his career. On the commentary, director Richard J. Lewis, writer Michael Konyves and producer Robert Lantos discuss period recreation and Barney’s character.
EXTRAS Commentary, Giamatti interview, more. Widescreen. English, French audio. English subtitles.
