Barney's Version

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  • Opened January 14, 2011 (Limited 1/14/11)
  • 2 hr 12 min
  • R | Language and some sexual content

  • Parents: Common Sense Media says Iffy for 17+. More on child suitability

  • Based on Mordecai Richler's award winning novel -- his last and, arguably, best -- "Barney's Version" is the warm, wise and witty story of the politically incorrect life of Barney Panofsky. The film spans three decades and two continents. There is his first wife, Clara, a flame-haired, flagrantly unfaithful free sprit. The "Second Mrs. P." is a wealthy Jewish Princess who shops and talks incessantly. It is at their lavish wedding that Barney meets, and starts pursuing, Miriam, his third wife, the mother of his two children, and his true love. Not only does Barney turn out to be a true romantic, he is also capable of all kinds of sneaky acts of gallantry, generosity, and goodness. His is a gloriously full life, played out on a grand scale. Full synopsis

  • Cast: Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman, Rosamund Pike, Minnie Driver, Rachelle Lefevre, Scott Speedman
  • Director: Richard J. Lewis
  • Genres: Art House/Foreign, Comedy, Drama

What's the Buzz?

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Fans say So-So
4 fans
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Critics say Go
67 out of 100
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Fan Reviews

Must Go!
Tissue, are you there?

by MrRobert_atthemovies

This movie is sad. I said it from the first time I saw it. This movie gives Alzheimer's Disease legs. You can see the daily functions of someone with the disease and how it ultimately takes over...

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Critic Reviews

88
New Orleans Times-Picayune
| Mike Scott

That character flaw makes for some great shock-fueled laughs in Lewis' film -- Giamatti does full-on comic rage as well as anyone. Read full review

88
Chicago Sun-Times
| Roger Ebert

Giamatti's performance is one of those achievements. He is making a career of playing unremarkable but memorable men. Read full review

83
Entertainment Weekly
| Owen Gleiberman

Paul Giamatti, dialing down his trembly-voiced neurotic energy to good effect, gives a holy hell of a performance as Barney Panofsky. Read full review

80
New York Daily News
| Joe Neumaier

By the time Barney gets one final, heartbreaking chance to screw things up, this rich, satisfying film has you hooked. Read full review

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Minnie Driver as 2nd Mrs. "P" in "Barney's Version."