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Created Dec 03, 2011 10:09AM PST • Edited Dec 03, 2011 10:09AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   What makes the life of a gruff, hard-drinking, cigar-smoking, low-tact, blah-looking man so interesting? Great filming, great story, great dialog, and great acting. Barney’s Version was a pleasant surprise indeed. Paul Giamatti plays this type of character to a T – weaving a tale of four life phases: crazy younger years and marriage #1, the improbable marriage #2, and love-of-his life: found and lost. All in the setting of an urban Jewish family with its special-brand of humor. You might think that this longer than normal film would be boring, but to the contrary. Very interesting characters as well as mystery and dramatic twists will hold you to the screen and leads you to an emotional ending.

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

   Paul Giamatti hits it out of the park. Nuff said. Add to that great performances by Dustin Hoffman, Minnie Driver, Rosamund Pike, and Scott Speedman. Clearly this is a top-notch cast – working through the drama and humor with ease.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

8. Male Costars Great 4.0

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

11. Direction Very Good 3.5

12. Play Very Good 3.5

13. Music Very Good 3.5

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.0

17. Sex Titillating 2.0

18. Violence Fierce 2.0

19. Rudeness Salty 2.0

21. Reality

    Glib 1.3

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.3

23. Biological Glib 1.3

24. Physical Glib 1.3