Barney’s Version (2010)

“Really? Well, words matter. Actions matter. They have consequences. If you want people to take you seriously, then act accordingly.” – Miriam

Number of Times Seen – Twice (21 May 2011 and 16 Dec 2018)

Brief Synopsis – A look at the life of a cynical man who does and says whatever he pleases not caring how it will affect those around him.

My Take on it – This is such a great film that is able to show the life of a character who constantly thinks that he has missed out on something along the way.

Paul Giamatti is superb in the lead role and deservingly won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for this performance.

He manages to play each part of this character’s life so well and we can easily believe that his character is so real because he is developed so well throughout the course of the film.

Many of the characters he encounters along the path of life are developed extremely well and we get to see such a depth that is rare in these kind of movies.

Rosamund Pike is the standout among the supporting characters as the love of his life who he pursues vehemently despite a technically that keeps them apart.

She is able to show such range with this character as she shows how a character can blossom through the course of the film.

Dustin Hoffman is also great as Giamatti’s father and that has so much to do with the chemistry that is felt between them most noticeably during their deep conversation about the way that their lives lead them on as things unfold.

I would love to be able to spend even more time with these characters because they are feel some real.

Bottom Line – Excellent look at a life of a character who thinks that he has not lived an impactful life.  Giamatti is superb in the title role and manages to play each part of his life extremely well. There is so much depth to his character and the ones that he meets along the path of his life. Pike is a standout as the love of his life and it’s great how they show his passion in pursuing her.  She also shows here how great an actress she can be with the range of her character who blossoms as the story moves along. Hoffman is perfectly cast as Giamatti’s father and they also have great chemistry together especially during their deep conversations about the way life leads them along. Highly Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Four noted Canadian film directors make cameo appearances in the film. We see Atom Egoyan as a director of O’Malley of the North, Ted Kotcheff as the conductor on the train, David Cronenberg as another of O’Malley’s directors, and Denys Arcand as the head waiter at the Ritz, and, although better known for their acting, Paul Gross and Saul Rubinek are also movie directors.  (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy (9/10)

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