Michael Ledo Paul Giamatti plays Barney an unlikeable fellow made likeable because Paul Giamatti plays him. He is a man who is borderline of needing help, but manages to make it through life without it. He is his own worst enemy. Barney gets married to Minnie Driver, a woman who has wealth and class. She wants to be the perfect wife, but Paul won't let her. Why? Because he is in love with a different woman, Miriam (Rosamund Pike) who he met briefly at his wedding reception. While most men would get over it and move on, Barney does not. The inanity of the situation is what makes the story mildly humorous, but lacks full comedy credentials.The story might be considered a heart warming love story if not for the situation which leads one not to feel for Barney or for Miriam who agrees to the nonsense. The story kept me entertained, but only because of the antics of Barney and whatever gems he might say.F-bomb, sex, no nudity.

Abularfia Is i think a perfect way to describe my viewing experience of "Barney's -Version". This film is both parts entertaining comedy as well as heart-felt tragedy. Which really surprised me that such a combination was even possible, but this film succeeded in building a bridge between this (in opinion until i watched the movie) unlink-able depths of human emotions. The movie starts of very strong and reaches it entertaining highs mid-film. it does loose a bit of its sharpness after that but it does return to its high form near the end. hence the rating of 7/10.Overall "Barneys-Version" is a good and well made movie, manifesting my view on Paul Giamatti as being a very talented actor and the film getting a recommendation from me.

Mercury-4 The main character was utterly loathsome. I didn't want to spend an hour watching him, let alone an overly-long 2 1/4 hours. There were no sympathetic characters; I hated the Paul Giamatti (an actor I hate in everything he does) character and hated all of the others for not hating him.Dustin Hoffman redeemed this movie, his moments in it were great. But there was absolutely nothing else.The movie was largely a plot less character study of an obnoxious character. The only real plot element was the death of the friend, Boogie. I'm not going to give away the way this element of plot is resolved, but I didn't get the point at all when I saw the movie, only when I googled it did I realize that the one scene with the airplane was resolving this plot element. Maybe if I'd read the novel it would have been more clear.Why are we supposed to love hateful destructive characters? I don't, and never have.

Gypsy Rose If it's something refreshingly different and brilliantly done you're looking for then this is it. Barney's Version won me over in the first opening minutes and sealed it's place as a lifelong favorite well before the end. Barney's words and actions just cracked me up and I laughed until I cried repeatedly all the way through the movie saying "OMG! it's the male version of me!" Babyboomers and generation X will appreciate this movie the most. If you have a care-bear, wrap them in cotton wool, political correct mentality this movie is not for you! This is a movie best appreciated by those over the age of 40 who grew up in the 50's, 60's and early 70's before the world went to crap because of the afore mentioned.I loved this movie. It is true that Barney is "politically incorrect, impulsive, irascible, fearlessly blunt, hard-drinking, cigar chain smoking, foulmouthed, cynical, self-absorbed, frumpy schmuck, he is no pretty sight - from inside or out" BUT.... I loved that like me Barney spoke his mind and didn't care what people thought of him and what he had to say. He wore his heart on his sleeve, was deeply passionate in all that he did, was loyal to his friends and family with the exception of one major stuff up (who doesn't make mistakes?), and he was dogged in his determination. He was sincere in all that he did and said and you always knew where you stood with him, no head games.... this is me take it or leave it, I don't back down, never give up and won't go away so deal with it kind of guy (a man after my own heart he-he!). I found that for all Barney's flaws he possessed traits that balanced him out.... how often are we all so quick to find others flaws and yet fail to take the time to really get to know someone and discover their good qualities.I loved Barney and I love movies that you can relate to, can say that I know people like that and leave you thinking on so many different levels about life, your life and pondering so many possibilities of what if I....? Giamatti 1st impressed me in the mini series John Adams and in Barney he did another extraordinary performance proving once again that despite the fact he isn't what you would expect a leading man to look like he certainly does have what it takes to leave a memorable impression as a leading man given the right script and environment to work with. I can't fault any of the cast to be honest, they all seemed to belong in and played their respective role beautifully.All in all a huge BRAVO! to all the cast and crew for a highly entertaining, brilliantly scripted, very original and I must say a very side-splitting funny movie. AND thank you to Giamatti for giving us a refreshing and unforgettable leading man in Barney.... this gal found herself absolutely adoring Barney.... a male version of me in many respects! LMAO! I wish I could give a much higher score than 10/10! A movie that has a charm all of it's own that I suspect will age / date beautifully!Oh and one final note.... PLEASE watch and listen carefully for an extremely creative reveal to understand what really happened that day at the lake between Barney and his best friend... the did he or didn't he do it is answered in full at the end of the movie.... *rolls eyes* at those who obviously didn't pay attention