Barney's Version: DVD Review
Barney's Version
Released by
Hopscotch Ent
Based on Mordecai Richler's
prize-winning comic novel, Barney's Version stars the ever wonderful Paul
Giamatti as Barney Panofsky, a TV show producer who's in the twilight of his
life.
He's the kind of guy who tells it like it is
in places and doesn't suffer fools gladly - but he's prone to making errors in
his life - as his numerous marriages display.
But as well as the
multitude of highs, he reflects back on his lows too - including the death of
his friend Boogie (Scott Speedman) who mysteriously disappeared after an alcohol
fuelled row with Barney and whose disappearance saw Barney pursued by the cops
for murder.
Over four decades and three wives, we
follow Barney and his relationships with lovers, children and occasionally work
colleagues. The first ended in tragedy; the second ended when he fell in love
with another woman on his wedding night and the third falls apart because of his
own fallability.
Barney's Version is an odd sort
of film; it meanders as Barney recalls parts of his life as he battles with a
fatal illness towards the end. Perhaps that's some of the point of this film
that it moves around and is told by an unreliable narrator; but it's an oddly
cold kind of film which doesn't really engage on an emotional level.
Granted, there are some wonderfully comic touches and
deft moments; and at the centre of it all, there's a ferocious tour de force
from Giamatti himself; every emotion is etched on this sad sack's face and his
on screen presence demands you watch. With great supporting performances from
the likes of Hoffman as his Jewish dad and Rosamund Pike as the love of his
life, it's a solid affair
Rating: 7/10
At Darren's World of Entertainment - a movie, DVD and game review blog. The latest movie and DVD reviews - plus game reviews as well. And cool stuff thrown in when I see it.
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