Search - Barney's Version (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) on Blu-ray

B.J. W. (analogkid01) from CHICAGO, IL
Reviewed on 7/5/2025...

In Richard J. Lewis's 2010 film "Barney's Version," the impeccable Paul Giamatti plays Barney Panofsky, who is rude, inconsiderate, philandering, tactless, selfish, conceited, vulgar, inebriated, and worst of all, works as a TV producer. Oh, and - he may have murdered someone.

Barney's a colorful character who's surrounded by equally colorful characters, but none of them seem to stick around for very long. His first wife (Clara, Rachelle Lefevre) suicides following the stillbirth of a child which is definitely not his; his second wife ("The 2nd Mrs. P.," Minnie Driver) divorces him...ehhh, we'll say "mutually" but stop short of "amicably."

Oh this is a comedy, by the way, I may have skipped that part.

He meets the woman who will become his third wife (Miriam, played by Rosamund Pike) at the reception following his wedding to his second wife. They manage to stay together long enough to raise two children. Miriam tolerates Barney's nature, but once the kids have grown and flown the coop, Miriam's devotion wanes, then collapses.

There is a tonal shift near the end which I suppose is earned and is set up, and it doesn't detract too much from the overall feel of the film. Still, I enjoyed the film up until that point, and think it's definitely worth watching. You just can't go wrong with Paul Giamatti.

Grade: B+