Review of Barney's Version (2010) by Amanda C — 21 May 2011

Paul Giamatti knows he will never get another role like this, and he makes the most of it. Giamatti is the heart and soul of this film, never putting a foot wrong, delivering an absolutely fabulous, gut wrenching performance. It takes some doing to make Barney likeable, and Giamatti makes it easy. He's backed up by a first rate ensemble cast. Minnie Driver is hilarious as his second wife, Scott Speedman is a charming and utter screw up, who again makes an unlikable character sympathetic. Dustin Hoffman does what he does best. And of course Rosmund Pike, who easily matches Giamatti's Oscar worth performance. She is absolutely stunning in every way, bringing a wonderful sensitivity and calm to the screen against Giamatti's disorder.

There are times where the filmmakers seem to be trying to get as much in as possible within a reasonable run time, which is understandable. However, Barney's first wife is dispatched a tad too quickly and a bit more of Minnie Driver would have been useful to give the film a bit more balance and not seem like the first two marriages were just filler to get to the one that mattered. This is a small gripe, however, as the best parts of the film come with the third marriage in the intimate moments between Giamatti and Pike. It's here that the film truly finds its way and its strength.