Based on Mordecai Richler’s novel, this is a showcase for the talents of Paul Giamatti. He plays Barney Panofsky, a TV producer who marries often yet falls in love only once, and is accused of murdering of his best friend (Scott Speedman). It features a terrific performance from Dustin Hoffman as Barney’s dad, a retired policeman who will say anything he wants at the dinner table. Rosamund Pike gets her best role yet as Miriam, the subject of Barney’s love. The film itself is quite expansive, and might try to cover a bit too much. By the time Barney starts drifting into dementia, it becomes a disease-of-the-week movie. Still, Giamatti and Hoffman are so good, you might forgive the shortcomings.
Barney’s Version
