Richard J. Lewis’ dramedy “Barney’s Version” chronicles the highs and lows of the adulthood of larger than life Jewish Canadian Barney Panofsky. Barney (Paul Giamatti) is a slipshod, lazy, and abrasive man whose appearance resembles the Pillsbury Dough boy with a bad wig; and yet from the opening scene he’s won you over. His refreshing honesty and Dr. House-like acerbic wit are a winning combo that translates into empathy and satisfaction from the audience.
The film interweaves between past and present to recount Barney’s three failed marriages and the eventful (to put it mildly)interactions he has with family and friends. Barney’s first marriage was to an unstable self-loathing Jew (Rachel Lefevre) who he was guilted into marrying because of the out-of-wedlock baby that was on the way. However, to say the least, the marriage didn’t have the legs to keep kicking any longer than the blink of an eye.
After that train wreck Barney moved on to his second Mrs. Panofsky, a prototypical Jewish Canadian Princess who is played brilliantly by Minnie Driver. While watching this marriage one can’t help but think that they are viewing the second coming of Lenny and Lila from “The Heartbreak Kid”. In typical Lenny Cantrow fashion, Barney doesn’t take very long to realize that he made a huge mistake in marrying the second Mrs. P. However, instead of waiting until the honeymoon to meet his new dream girl like Lenny does, Barney gets that calling at his wedding reception. When Barney’s eyes come across Miriam (Rosamund Pike) in her sultry blue dress, it’s almost as if time stands still as he comes to the realization that she’s the one for him. And so Barney being the brash gentlemen that he is, wastes no time and begins his pursuit of Miriam before his wedding is even over. Barney pursues Miriam with the same youthful exuberance and determination that Max Fischer (“Rushmore”) displayed when he set his sights on Miss Cross. Unlike Max Fischer though, who was never able to win Miss Cross’ affections, Barney is eventually successful in his dogged pursuit of Miriam and in spite of Barney’s Homer Simpson-like tendencies, the marriage remarkably lasts for many years, but ultimately Barney’s numerous character deficiencies and indiscretions lead to the couple’s undoing.
The movie serves up a smorgasbord of emotions that makes you feellike you are on one of those pendulum rides in an amusement park. At times you’ll be uncontrollably bursting out in laughter and at other times you’ll be doing everything you can to hold back the tears. This is due in large part to the high quality performances by the entire cast. The script of this film is nothing to write home about. This story has been told many times before, but the compelling acting is the film’s driving force.
Paul Giamatti gives an Oscar-worthy performance and his loveable loser underdog shtick shines through yet again. He really makes the audience believe that a hapless schlub like Barney Panofsky could get a beautiful woman like Miriam to fall in love with him. In addition to this, in the later scenes when it has become clear that his senility has begun to get the best of him you can’t help but inexplicably feel compassion for this rude and selfish man. Not to be outdone is Dustin Hoffman,whose portrayal as Barney’s loose cannon ex-cop father is nothing short of hilarious. His over the top antics can only be rivaled by Mark Wahlberg’s academy award winning turn as Staff Sgt. Dignam.
Brett: 4.5 Stars
Drew: 4.5 Stars
