PJ Says That Giamatti Delivers in Barney's Version

So, PJ has been thinking about Barney’s Version. In fact, he can’t seem to stop thinking about Barney‘s Version since he saw it yesterday. He had been wanting to pick it up for quite a while, but contractual commitments did not permit it’s booking until this week.

What a movie.

Two hours and ten minutes.

Paul Giamatti for two hours and ten minutes.

And you know what?

PJ could have sat for two hours and ten minutes more. The acting was that good.

It was reminiscent of Sideways wherein Giamatti played a similar character. PJ remembers listening to his daughter tell him how much she detested Sideways. She hated that the Giamatti character went into his mother’s bedroom dresser drawer and stole her money. PJ recalls telling his daughter that just because a character does something detestable, it does not a bad movie make. Quite the opposite. That sneaky theft was a defining moment of a great movie. One of many defining moments.

Well, Giamatti’s Barney is every bit as detestable. Yet, he grows on you. He’s got a heart. Sometimes. He’s inappropriate. All the time. And offensive. Most of the time.

PJ is thinking that the inhibition part of Barney’s brain never quite fully developed. Or, maybe he just did not care. At least, everyone always knew where they stood with him. A phony he was not.

PJ did have a bit of a problem with Barney’s wife, though. He could never fully believe that this woman with so much effortless dignity, the eventual mother of his children, would have exposed herself to a Barney in the first place. She certainly knew he was a scoundrel what with all the attention he unloaded upon her while at his very own wedding to another woman. Yeah, girls like bad boys. But Barney was insufferable. And this elegant woman was no girl. He seemed to be the embodiment of everything she would find repulsive. And a looker he was not. He was, however, relentless, and eventually she succumbs. Much like the oyster yields to the starfish.

Barney himself also succumbs. Throughout the movie. To booze, babes, and cigars.  He tries to convince his wife that at least the babes never really mean anything.

PJ is confused, though. Paul Giamati was awarded the Golden Globe for best actor in a comedy or musical for his performance in this picture. Well, sure, there were some laughs in Barney’s Version, but folks, this is heavy duty stuff.

Gut-wrenching stuff. Emotional stuff. The stuff of life.

It is a murder mystery as well. Barney’s best friend in the flick reminded PJ of the Thomas Hayden Church character in Sideways. If, by the way, you haven’t seen this gem, rent it. Anyway, in Barney’s Version it is suggested that Barney may have killed his friend.

Did Barney “off” his buddy? Perhaps the answer lies in the final vignette wherein the shell of what once was Barney sits by the lake and watches a sea plane do a “touch and go”. Keep your eyes on the beach ball and perhaps you’ll be provided with a clue.

Well, folks, the acting is sensational. The two hours and ten minutes are engrossing as can be. And the characters... they stay with you.

Yes, Barney’s Version contains all 360 degrees of life’s circle, yet, PJ seems to feel that somehow the sum of its parts is greater than the whole. Who knows, maybe he’s nitpicking.

Nevertheless, Barney’s Version is a must-see.

Giamatti is a tour de force.

A comedy or musical it is not.

What is it then? It is a far better movie than all those other Oscar contenders.

That’s what.

Go see it.