Barney's Version
The picaresque and touching story of the politically incorrect, fully lived life of the impulsive, irascible and fearlessly blunt Barney Panofsky.
Screening Date:
Dec 18, 2010
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40.4% | 26.3% | 24.6% | 7.0% | 1.8% |
“All the acting is memorable. Main character is very different from novel, but understandable for greater appeal to larger audience. Novel is a totally different genre. I accept the changes.”
“Wonderfully acted. An interesting expose of the complexities of a flawed and distasteful character. Paul Giamatti was great!”
“Beautifully filmed. Paul Giamatti deserves an Oscar nomination. Dustin was perfect too.”
“Don’t judge the film by the book, shame on you NY Times! A terrific story of an imperfect person, perhaps more imperfect than others, but colorfully so.”
“A winner! The wedding scene was right on!”
“Excellent performances. Too long and a bit slow.”
“An Academy Award possibility.”
“Beauty and the Beast story.”
“He’s so self-absorbed and yet so absorbed in his love.”
“A bit too long, but an interesting study of a complex personality. Dustin Hoffman was, as usual, amazing and Paul Giamatti was perfect for the part.”
“A son-of-a-bitch with a soul, but enough of the violins!”
“God, I love Paul Giamatti, even when he is being a bastard.”
“Bad made for TV movie with a terrible ending. Played to tears/fears of the audience. Was film a vehicle for Dustin Hoffman’s son?”
“I saw the work in progress earlier this year. They did a great job. The finished product is great.”
"Too long!"
“Giamatti is a national treasure. I last saw him as John Adams in the HBO series and he was a completely different person. His ability to morph himself is amazing.”
“Great character study of a not-so-nice character. But who wouldn’t go after Rosamund? A Bond girl turned Jewish? My dreams have come through!”
“I think most people who get involved with such characters know something’s wrong from the beginning. Mordecai Richler had a story turned into a cartoon about a writer and his family in Canada.”
“Started with a great sense of humor, sly, witty and clever and then morphs into predictable sentimentality.”
“Superb film with fabulous acting! Paul Giamatti from youngster to oldster. Minnie Driver was great. Dustin Hoffman’s acting with eyes, face and mouth! Very interesting to hear the discussion about how movie differs from the book, not having read the book.”
“The acting was excellent throughout. I loved the character of the second wife (Minnie Driver). She was a superb comic character.”
“Beginning was cliché. Tired of the ridiculous portrayal of Jews. The last third was poignant and tender.”
“This movie grabbed me during the opening titles when the glass of spirits came down over Barney’s name. I was hooked and not released until the very end. Wonderful performances, exquisite attention to detail in the production, and an absolutely perfect soundtrack.”
“Paul Giamatti gives a superb performance of such a poignant and compelling character. The whole cast was superb. I will not forget this film. Thanks! P.S. this is a film that supports the need for getting laid and getting love. The logic of the father (who dies like a king getting laid) and son who devotes all to getting love.”
