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Barney's Version

Play trailer Poster for Barney's Version R 2011 2h 12m Drama Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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77% Tomatometer 132 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Toward the end of his life, Barney Panofsky (Paul Giamatti) looks back on his triumphs and tragedies, beginning with an ill-fated relationship with Clara (Rachelle Lefevre), whom he marries when she becomes pregnant. When that falls apart, he moves back home to Montreal and gets married twice more, finally finding contentment with Miriam (Rosamund Pike), his third wife. Through it all, Barney is sustained by his work in television, raising children and the advice of his father (Dustin Hoffman).
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Barney's Version

Barney's Version

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Critics Consensus

With a magnificent performance by Paul Giamatti, Barney's Version offers much comedy and insight to the complexities of modern romance.

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Critics Reviews

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Leonard Maltin leonardmaltin.com 06/29/2011
Paul Giamatti is one of those actors whose presence in a movie generally validates it, and Barney's Version is no exception. He manages to make a central character with few-if any-admirable traits not only bearable but downright compelling. And... Go to Full Review Jim Schembri The Age (Australia) 03/31/2011
3/5
The ever-impressive Paul Giamatti (American Splendour, John Adams) shines in this rambling Canadian character study. Go to Full Review Philippa Hawker The Age (Australia) 03/23/2011
3/5
If Giamatti's performance is rigorously unsentimental, director Richard Lewis and writer Michael Konyves (adapting Morechai Richler's novel) succumb, a little too often, to slow-moving warmth and wryness. Go to Full Review Richard Crouse Richard Crouse 01/31/2021
3.5/5
Gives Paul Giamatti his most memorable part since Sideways Go to Full Review Brent McKnight The Last Thing I See 07/13/2020
C+
The film never coalesces, and despite the positive bits, the story is simply too long, too rambling, and too obvious to be completely successful. Go to Full Review David Harris Spectrum Culture 11/06/2019
1.8/5
If I was Barney, I would want to forget this movie too. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Matheus F @matheusf_neto Sep 1 Paul Giamatti is remarkable. I'm very happy that he won a Golden Globe for this performance. See more iDream T @RT07548572 02/19/2025 One of Giamatti's best, it's the story of a flawed man who falls desperately in love but slips and loses her after a long and happy marriage only to find her again later in life when he's coming face to face with dementia. A great story about love, infidelity, friendship, jealousy and forgiveness. Dustin Hoffman also does a great job as a father who is a no nonsense ex cop. Bitter sweet with just the right touch of comedy. See more bao s @RT77741678 01/14/2023 After wading through an overwrought story heavy on melodramatic characterizations precariously held together by the acting of one man, I find myself at a ridiculous ending. It wasn't that great from the get go, but the ending made it absolutely terrible! See more isla s @RT89656869 09/04/2022 This is an amusing film about a bit of a sleazeball character - his highs and (moreso) lows through the previous few decades. Its somewhat re-assuring to see him get his comeuppance in different ways. The comedy is visual, mostly slapstick style. Its an entertaining and decent enough sort of a watch - not exactly brilliant but certainly not bad or awful. I'd say this is worth a watch, although I'm not sure I'd specifically recommend going far out of your way to see it, its ok. See more sue b @RT96121712 04/01/2022 Boring and over long, this movie really failed for me because I just could not like the central character. He has a sense of entitlement and little gratitude for the amazing women that come into his life. The film essentially reeks of misogyny. Pointless milestones in the film such as the death of his friend the police investigation and the final illness really didn't generate any emotions or points to the film plot comma I was just wishing for him and it to end. Really one of those films we think why the hell did I just waste 2 hours watching it See more robert b @RT70544204 12/31/2021 A classic. One of my top five favorite movies of all time. Giamatti at his best. See more Read all reviews
Barney's Version

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Cast & Crew

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Richard J. Lewis

Director

Paul Giamatti

Barney

Rosamund Pike

Miriam

Minnie Driver

2nd Mrs. P

Rachelle Lefevre

Clara

Scott Speedman

Boogie

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Barney's Version

Barney's Version (2010) Barney's Version (2010) Barney's Version (2010) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Toward the end of his life, Barney Panofsky (Paul Giamatti) looks back on his triumphs and tragedies, beginning with an ill-fated relationship with Clara (Rachelle Lefevre), whom he marries when she becomes pregnant. When that falls apart, he moves back home to Montreal and gets married twice more, finally finding contentment with Miriam (Rosamund Pike), his third wife. Through it all, Barney is sustained by his work in television, raising children and the advice of his father (Dustin Hoffman).
Director
Richard J. Lewis
Producer
Robert Lantos
Screenwriter
Michael Konyves
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Lyla Films, Fandango, Serendipity Point Films, Harold Greenberg Fund
Rating
R (Some Sexual Content|Language)
Genre
Drama, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 14, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 14, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.5M
Runtime
2h 12m