BARNEY’S VERSION 4.0****

An imperfect life perfectly told. Take an amazing and fascinating ride through the life and memories of Barney Panofsky, a hard-drinking, cigar-smoking, foulmouthed 65-year old hockey fanatic and television producer, as he reflects on his life's successes (few) and failures (many) as shown through well done flash backs and flash forwards leading up to the final chapters of his life .The film is essentially a series of humorous vignettes but also has its share of moments of tenderness and high drama (showcasing Alzheimer's, for example). There's usually at least one laugh in every scene, and there's every kind of humor: sarcastic, mordant, sexual, ironical, satirical and slap stick. To put it another way: If you leave without having laughed, then you need a big dose of “sense of humor” meds.

As Barney,Paul Giamatti is absolutely stunning. . He is one of the most talented and underrated character actors around and continues to prove his worth and excellence here. Barney's life is an emotional roller-coaster, and Giamatti gives his all to make the audience really feel for this pathetic, misguided, adolescent shell of a man. No matter what emotion or word he is trying to convey, you will hang on every sound and look. He should have been nominated for Best Actor for the Oscars. The rest of the cast is solid, no matter their screen time. Rosamind Pike, as Barney's third wife is wonderful, as is Minnie Driver as the overbearing, Jewish 2nd wife. But they are all overshadowed by Dustin Hoffman in the role of Barney's father Izzy. He steals all the scenes he appears in providing more gusto and depth than he has in years. His antics and behavior at the Jewish Wedding/Reception are hilarious as is his final scene in the movie.

Give yourself a night off, forget about your problems and find out about Barney's problems and his friends problems, and his wives’ problems. It will make your life seem much, much better and you’ll laugh along the way, probably several times. For poor Barney, nothing seems to turn out the way he wanted. Even though he is successful in business, he is really miserable and doesn't know how to fix it. An unexpected turn of events, and voilà, his worst problem is solved. But in an instant, he messes up again and is suspected of murder. The answer to the murder mystery isn't revealed until the very end of the movie and even then you have to be really sharp to figure it out..

This is an Independent film that will be hard to find at the theatres.. but find it or rent it.. in other words, don’t miss it. It is a jewel of a movie.

Rated R for language and some sexual content.

Clark