One cannot help but love Mordechai Richler’s character Barney Panofsky (Paul Giamatti) brought to life by director, Richard Lewis in “Barney’s Version”. Shot in Montreal along the ‘golden mile’ and in New York the film is a joy to watch. “Barney’s Version” includes a stellar cast with Dustin Hoffman, Minnie Driver, Scott Speedman, Rosamund Pike and Rachelle Lefevre.

Barney’s Version is the story of Barney as he makes his way through life. The story is told through flashbacks. We discover he is an impulsive character who does not necessarily make the best decisions but lives a colorful, self-indulgent life. There is a mystery about Barney that has made him the target of a police detective’s anger and vengeance. We meet a young Barney in Italy where he is living vicariously and has just married Clara (Rachelle Lefevre) who he believes is carrying his child. Always the romantic, Barney discovers this is not the case and to add to the tragedy, just when he is willing to forgive her she dies.

Barney returns to Montreal where he becomes a successful television producer with a company aptly named “Totally Unnecessary Productions”. Barney has the good fortune to become the object of Minnie Driver’s (first Mrs. P) affections. He is seduced into marrying this woman from a wealthy, upper crust Montreal family. At his wedding reception his eye falls upon another woman Miriam (Rosamund Pike) whom he immediately falls helplessly in love with. The wedding reception is a colorful event where we meet Barney’s father (Dustin Hoffman), a policeman in Montreal with a streetwise way of talking. He and Barney share a close relationship that includes like many Montrealers,  “a consuming love of the game”.

Barney rashly wants to run away with Mariam, ditching his new bride (Minnie Driver) but Miriam will have none of it. She returns to her home in New York where Barney continues to court her throughout his relationship with his first wife. The first Mrs. P discovers the deception and Barney gets his divorce, running straight into a second marriage with the love of his life Mariam.

Barney is destined to live a life of personal turmoil orchestrated by his own lack of judgment. He is somewhat oblivious to the suffering he inflicts on others as a result  of impulsive decisions made on the spur of the moment. He is much like his father is this respect and his best friend Boogie (Scott Speedman).  Barney’s saving grace is his good humor and his devotion to his friendships, which he will try to go to great lengths to preserve.

An entertaining film that will do well at the box office.

Moira Romano