Director: Richard J. Lewis
Screenplay: Michael Konyves, Mordecai Richler (novel)
Producer: Robert Lantos
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Rosamund Pike, Scott Speedman, Dustin Hoffman, Bruce Greenwood
MPAA Rating: PG
Running time: 134 min.

(3.5/5)

It always bums me out to see good Canadian movies roll through my neighbourhood at bad times (and with “bad times” I mean bad for me). That always seems to be the case with the TIFF openers which tend to roll through town shortly after the festival meaning they land right at the kick-off of the Vancouver International Film Festival. That’s usually a no go for me. That really doesn’t give me an excuse for missing Barney’s Version since it did stick around long after the festival but by that point, I was exhausted and it seemed like a DVD release was imminent so I let it go. If I’d only known it would be nine months before a release…

Either way, TV regular Richard J. Lewis’s film adaptation of the much beloved Mordecai Richler novel tells the story of Barney Panofsky, a politically incorrect man with a string of wives and a colourful life. Adapted by Michael Konyves, the film features quite a few rapid fire exchanges and more than a handful of memorable scenes for Paul Giamatti in the role of Barney whose larger-than-life personal permeates through every scene; even the ones where he doesn’t appear on screen.

It all beings in Italy with Barney as an importer of olive oil. He has a night in the sack with a good looking girl, she gets pregnant and the two get married. It doesn’t end well and Barney, who was originally not interested in the marriage, finds himself deeply affected by Clara’s death. A few years later he finds himself back in Canada and married to “The Second Mrs. P,” a controlling woman who lords herself and squashes much of Barney’s energy. And then he meets the love of his life: Miriam, a radio personality who gives up her career to be a wife and mother. Eventually, a personality like Barney’s stars to wear you down and once their son leaves, so does Miriam and Barney sort of dies a little. The story of this grand character eventually fading is a sad one but his life is the kind of life you celebrate; rich and full of memorable moments.

It’s easy to like Barney’s Version; it’s a fairly upbeat, fast paced story and even when Barney’s being an ass, I couldn’t help but wish that I had a little of him in me. He’s the kind of guy you never forget, the kid of guy that will make you laugh while at the same time criticizing you. I assume much of the comedy comes from Richler’s book but it’s beautifully adapted here to provide some fantastic material. Sadly, much of that doesn’t really transfer beyond Barney and many of the other characters, including Miriam who shares much of the story, are a bit flat, made memorable only by the actors portraying them. Take Minnie Driver. Her character isn’t even given a name but it’s unlikely I’ll ever forget the crazed look on her face when she’s hoisted onto the shoulders of her wedding guests as she yells at Barney above the noise “We’re married!” The same is true for many others like Dustin Hoffman who has a few zingers as Barney’s dad, Scott Speedman as his friend Boogie and Bruce Greenwood as Miriam’s second husband.

Though Barney’s Version moves at fairly good pace, I found it sagged a little in the middle but the final 20 minutes which encapsulate the disintegration of Barney’s health is touching, especially when you consider how unlike himself this new Barney is. It’s heartbreaking.

With a flashy performance from Giamatti as Barney who perfectly captures the balance of irreverent asshole and likeable chap with a soft streak, some memorable small performances (take a moment to appreciate how amazing and beautiful Rosamund Pike is), a boatload of zingers and cameos by a handful of Canadian icons (keep your eyes peeled for Paul Gross, David Cronenberg and Denys Arcand among others), Barney’s Version is a generally light and upbeat drama about one man’s larger-than-life existence.

Barney’s Version is available on DVD and Blu-Ray on June 28th.

DVD Extras: Not a whopping collection of extras on this release but the few there are are great particularly the interview with Mordecai Richler and the commentary with the director, writer and producer Robert Lantos. Other extras include a handful of deleted scenes, a Q&A with Paul Giamatti and Annette Insdorft and some red carpet footage.