Barney’s Version (2010)

Everyone knows a lovely and amazing woman who’s married to a schlub of a husband. We stare and say, “What does she see in him?” Paul Giamatti is the actor who can play these guys and make you realize, “Now I see … kind of.” Giamatti’s Barney is a selfish, alcoholic, vulgar, hockey nut who runs a white-trash Canadian TV studio. Among the women attracted to Barney’s “ambiance” is a radio host named Miriam (Rosamund Pike, so damn good). He falls in love with this dame at his own wedding. See, a schmuck. That’s the main plot of this comedy-drama that spans 30 years: Barney woos Miriam but also is accused of murder when his best pal (Scott Speedman) goes missing. This is a well-written and funny, heartfelt story about a man who destroys his own live in spectacular fashion, an entertaining jolly when Ben Stiller is not involved. Giamatti poses godlike powers. He makes Barney not just human but endearing. A bit long, and containing a major death that is foolishly sitcom-like, but this is a tale well worth seeing. If you actually believe Barney’s version. B+