'Barney's Version' (10)

'Barney's Version' (10) (R) ( 3 stars)

Writer: Michael Konyves based on novel written by Mordecai Richler
Director: Richard J. Lewis
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Rosamund Pike, Dustin Hoffman, Minnie Driver,
Scott Speedman, Rachelle Lefevre, Saul Rubinek, Jake Hoffman, Maury Chaykin,
Mark Addy, Atom Egoyan

Barney Panofsky is a hard drinking, smart ass, blunt man that lives life on impulse. He is also played by the wonderful actor Paul Giamatti who was born to play this role. Actually Giamatti is knocked for playing all his characters in the same jittery style but here his great performance is free of mannerisms. The movie starts out a little choppy but settles into a charming, funny and ultimately bittersweet movie. The movie takes us through Barney's life and all three of his marriages and also deals with the shooting death of his friend. The movie surprised me at the end for it becomes powerful and sad. It contains broad comedy, drama, tragedy and rich characters. It is based on a novel by Mordecai Richler who wrote "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz". I did not read "Barney's Version" but I thought the movie unfolded like a good novel and in the second half finds it's voice.

There are very good performances by the women who play Barney's three wives even though the first two characters are not written deeply enough. The first wife Clara is played by newcomer Rachelle Lefevre (Twilight). Her character seems to be a caricature and not someone we get to know but Lefevre does a good job. Things get better with the second wife played by Minnie Driver who is very funny here but once they get married her character is more superficially written. The movie comes to life and settles down once Barney gets married to his third wife. This is where the heart of the movie lies and Rosamund Pike is outstanding here as Miriam Panofsky. Barney actually hits on Miriam at the wedding of his second wife. Barney's stubbornness, impulses and drive pay off after he divorces the second Mrs. P and marries Miriam. This is where he will have his kids and will lead to the best material in the movie. A major plot development comes along and I was surprised by it's power and poignancy. This is a rich movie filled with characters we can relate to and it is a joy to watch Giamatti act. Also great here is Dustin Hoffman as Barney's father Izzy. Hoffman lately has been great in small character parts and here he is very funny and effective. The first half of "Barney's version is a little unfocused but in the end works it's magic and touches you with it's humor and charm.