BARNEY’S VERSION
CAROLINE: According to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Barney’s Version is a comedy for which Paul Giamatti deserves a Best Actor Golden Globe. I’ll give him the GG, but this movie is not a comedy.
RYAN: I really wish the GGs would get rid of the Comedy or Musical category. It’s just so silly, and they never nominate real comedies. Barney’s Version is a very worthy movie that’s getting little press or promotion other than Paul’s GG win. I didn’t know much about this movie before I saw it, but I thought it was fantastic.
CAROLINE: I’d seen the ad for it on TV many times and kept meaning to see it, and I’m so glad I did. It’s not on a lot of people’s radars, but maybe it will be now. It co-stars Dustin Hoffman, Minnie Driver and the gorgeous British actress, Rosamund Pike. While it’s amusing, and it definitely made me LOL a few times, I’d never call it an outright comedy. It’s got plenty of drama and it gets pretty heavy at times.
RYAN: I loved that about it. It’s almost like a Coen brothers movie in that way, though not nearly as violent.
CAROLINE: The character of Barney is certainly outrageous, and he has some funny rants and outbursts. But his personal life is high drama.
RYAN: That’s what really drew me in. It’s a movie about marriage, relationships, parenting and adultery. It takes turns you don’t expect and it kept me engaged throughout.
CAROLINE: There’s even an alleged murder. It’s very much a small, indie type movie that probably won’t see a wide release, but it’s worth checking out if you can find it.
RYAN: Minnie Driver looks amazing, and I really liked her in this. But I kind of feel like she keeps getting cast as the bitchy shrew lately.
CAROLINE: Her character’s a little bit obnoxious and overbearing, but yeah, she’s aging very well. The movie’s premise is interesting – it’s about a guy, Barney, who meets and falls in love with a woman at his own wedding. It’s based on a book, and apparently something similar actually happened to the author. So even though Barney is kind of crazy, you still sympathize with him.
RYAN: Dustin Hoffman has some really juicy lines too. He plays a real character. I liked him so much better in this than one of those Focker movies.
CAROLINE: Thank God he’s redeemed himself with this. And let’s not forget the very hot Scott Speedman, who plays Barney’s best friend.
RYAN: Love him. The script is just so well written and it’s such an interesting story. It may not be for everyone because of it’s indie-ness, but everyone can appreciate the great acting and storytelling. They do some great aging makeup too, especially for Paul G., and I loved the costumes.
— BOTTOM LINE —
CAROLINE: I really liked this movie, and I figured I would because I’d heard good things about it. It’s so well acted and well written and I was into it the whole time. It’s a little over two hours, which would normally give me pause; but here it didn’t bother me.
RYAN: It’s an intriguing and riveting movie. It’s pretty serious though, so it’s probably for a more adult audience. Due to its smallness, you don’t really have to see it on the big screen. But if you’re inclined, please do see it. It’s very good.
— RATING —
