Paul Giamatti cannot turn a bad movie into a good one.  But he has proven time and time again that he has enough talent to take a decent film and turn it into a terrific one.  This isn’t simply due to his ability to act.  It is also the adhesive chemistry he demonstrates with the cast around him.  I’m sure a portion of this is due to excellent casting, but I give most of the credit to Giamatti himself. 

Barney’s Version is a perfect example of what I mean.  It’s a film built around Giamatti, with every scene (except one) told from his point of view.  As the title says, this is his version…his version of the events of his adult life, the hows and whys behind his business, his three marriages, his relationships, and the murder a detective (Mark Addy) is sure he got away with years ago.

Built mostly in flashback mode, but with the present day story also progressing at the same time, we find a mid-20’s Barney Panofsky in Rome, exporting olive oil to Canada and hanging out with his friends Boogie the aspiring writer (Scott Speedman), Cedric (Clé Bennett), and artist Leo (Thomas Trabacchi).  Wanting to “do the right thing,” the somewhat antisocial Barney marries a pregnant Clara (Rachelle Lefevre).  This sets off what is to be the first of his failed marriages.  It also builds Barney’s dislike for people overall, and through the film his antisocial behavior seems to build as he ages.

Barney eventually returns to Canada and becomes a successful television producer.  It is from this location that most of his life takes place, including the alleged murder.  Dustin Hoffman does a hilarious but not over-the-top job as Barney’s ex-cop father.  In some ways it is reminiscent of his spot-on role in Stranger than Fiction: he pulls a ton of laughs without resorting to overacting or slapstick.  His Jewish, heavy-drinking but loving father role helps show that the acorn does not fall far from the tree.  Both father and son seem to take pleasure in inappropriate conversation (or at times are simply oblivious that what they’re saying is inappropriate).  Small wonder that Heather so often sees great similarity between myself and the roles Giamatti takes on.  Barney Panofsky is no exception.

Without going too far into the plot, Barney looks back at his failed second marriage (wife #2 played by Minnie Driver) and then his third marriage (Rosamund Pike giving a tremendous performance).  The tagline of the film is “First he got married.  Then he got married again.  Then he met the love of his life.”  You can discern quite a bit from that. 

Giamatti won a Golden Globe for his performance, but truly it was Oscar worthy.  Do not miss this film.  And bring a handkerchief if you get emotional at movies (Heather had mine soaking by the time it was over).  I can identify closely with a lot of Barney Panofsky and his life, but even if I couldn’t I would have really enjoyed Barney’s Version.