Barney Panofsky (Paul Giamatti)  is your normal everyday Jewish Television producer. He has a nice apartment, enjoys drinking his whiskey while smoking a cigar and will stop anything to catch the score on the recent hockey game. So what sets this man apart from every other alcoholic hockey fanatic? Well, Barney isn't necessarily the most likable gentleman you could encounter. In fact, he's a bit of a cynic. 

Barney's story begins with a look at who he has become. Lonely, depressed, hostile and accused of the murder of his best friend, Boogie (Scott Speedman). Unfortunately, the latter is what Barney is most known for, thanks to the publishing in the style of "how he did it" written by Detective O'Hearne (Mark Addy). After receiving a signed copy of said book, Barney starts reminiscing on what has brought him to these events. Told through a series of flashbacks, we're introduced to the three, yes, THREE ladies Barney has married. There's the hot-headed Clara (Rachelle Lefevere), the rich brat only known as "The 2nd Mrs. P" (Minnie Driver) and the lovely and endearing Miriam (Rosamund Pike). For Barney, the saying "Third time's a charm" has never been more fitting. But with the alleged homicide of his best friend, trouble never seems to leave Barney too far behind. Has Barney dig his grave with his love for whiskey, cigars, hockey and women? 

I'm not exaggerating when I say Barney isn't very likable. He treats everyone as his toys and decides when to throw tantrums and mistreat them. Mr. Panofsky never seems to be happy unless he's with his father/other best friend, Izzy (Dustin Hoffman). Hoffman is remarkable as the goofy and reckless father who always knows what's best for his son. He lets disaster happen and watches with knowledge as his son attempts to do the right thing. The relationship between Giamatti and Hoffman is the absolute shining grace in Barney's Version. The supporting characters are also what makes this film tick. And they kind of have to, with a Scrooge-like main character that is Barney. But through his rants, insults and drunken decisions, a glimmer of hope shines through and we can see what makes Barney such a candidate for a good man. Paul Giamatti performs with ease here. He proves that he is truly deserving of that Golden Globe he was nominated for. Sadly, the film doesn't carry itself as seamlessly as it should to keep audiences interested. 

At a lengthy 2 hours and 14 minutes, Barney's Version finds itself boggled down with information and dialogue. Of course, the main plot of the film is the study of a man's life from his days in Rome to his final days on Earth, so length is a necessary evil. And a lengthy runtime isn't always poison in the water. the saving grace is fluidity and a intriguing script. Unfortunately, both are passable, at best. The dialogue isn't bad by any means, but not much stands out. The interesting mountain that the script climbs is how it portrays a drunk cynic into the only man who truly gets what life is about. Happiness isn't much of a characteristic of Barney's until he meets Miriam. Of course, he meets her at his own wedding. So, the scale is at a tricky balance. 

Regardless of whether audiences can agree with Barney's decisions, he only does it to find true happiness in himself. Sometimes, that includes getting drunk at his favorite bar and screaming at the television. Barney Panofsky may not be the friend we'd want to be around, but his story is something that is a marvel to watch, thanks to his numerous friends and his loving father. Barney's Version isn't the film that will get audiences to fall in love. This is the film that makes us realize that life is what we make it. And watching Barney destroy and rebuild his life is one of the more interesting experiences to have this year.