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Barney's Version
A ferocious performance by the always watchable Paul Giamatti is reason enough to give 2010's Barney's Version a look.
This dramedy/character study is a voyeuristic cinema verite into the life of one Barney Panofsky, a hard-drinking, womanizing, television producer who has a son from one of his first two marriages and is abut to dip his big toe into the marital waters once again. This film asks us to place judgment upon this poor schlub, who is struggling with the same things most average Joes are, but, for some reason reason, is getting blasted from all sides when he swings and misses.
The life of Barney and his friends unfolds like the standard biography, but then allows the other characters to expound on their friendship with Barney. Just a clue on the type of guy this Barney is, on his wedding day, his third wedding day, he asked another woman to fly to Rome with him.
Just like Miles in Sideways, this role is an actor's dream and Giamatti makes the most of it. Love the scene at the wedding where he tears his new father-in-law a new one for disrespecting his father (Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman). Or the confrontation on the dock with his best friend, Boogie (Scott Speadman). There are slow spots here and there, mostly whenever Giamatti and Hoffman aren't onscreen.
The film features some beautiful photography and loved the music too. Giamatti is Oscar-worthy in a flashy role where the character is rarely seen in s flattering light. Oscar nominee Rosamond Pike (Gone Girl) is surprisingly subdued as the woman Barney wants to take to Rome. Minnie Driver also steals every scene she's in as Barney's high strung third bride.
There's an occasional lull in the proceedings, but Giamatti and Hoffman make this one worth investing in.
A ferocious performance by the always watchable Paul Giamatti is reason enough to give 2010's Barney's Version a look.
This dramedy/character study is a voyeuristic cinema verite into the life of one Barney Panofsky, a hard-drinking, womanizing, television producer who has a son from one of his first two marriages and is abut to dip his big toe into the marital waters once again. This film asks us to place judgment upon this poor schlub, who is struggling with the same things most average Joes are, but, for some reason reason, is getting blasted from all sides when he swings and misses.
The life of Barney and his friends unfolds like the standard biography, but then allows the other characters to expound on their friendship with Barney. Just a clue on the type of guy this Barney is, on his wedding day, his third wedding day, he asked another woman to fly to Rome with him.
Just like Miles in Sideways, this role is an actor's dream and Giamatti makes the most of it. Love the scene at the wedding where he tears his new father-in-law a new one for disrespecting his father (Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman). Or the confrontation on the dock with his best friend, Boogie (Scott Speadman). There are slow spots here and there, mostly whenever Giamatti and Hoffman aren't onscreen.
The film features some beautiful photography and loved the music too. Giamatti is Oscar-worthy in a flashy role where the character is rarely seen in s flattering light. Oscar nominee Rosamond Pike (Gone Girl) is surprisingly subdued as the woman Barney wants to take to Rome. Minnie Driver also steals every scene she's in as Barney's high strung third bride.
There's an occasional lull in the proceedings, but Giamatti and Hoffman make this one worth investing in.