Barney’s Version

[kkhand]

The cinema was full and had reserved seating - nice decorative hall but the screen wasn't the biggest. There was a short talk by the Chief Executive of the cinema followed by the director/producer (i think) and then very briefly a few words from he main actor Paul G. He said that he was jet lagged and that he hoped we will enjoy it but if not he'd be gone to the US anyways.

The film itself was an interesting story with some funny bits - but to be honest found myself looking at my watch a few times wondering when it was going to finish.. Despite this though glad i went to see it 7.5/10.

[Beate]

How popular is this film? Trying to get free members' tickets and am in position 9 of the phone queue!

[Beate]

I've got them now. Only been on hold 15 minutes...

[kevinknapman]

How popular is this film? Trying to get free members' tickets and am in position 9 of the phone queue!

Might be because Paul Giamatti won Best Actor for it (in the comedy/musical category) at the Golden Globes last night.

[hdaniel82]

A really surprisingly good movie, heartwarming moments and those tinged with sadness. But my big question is in my spoiler:
[spoiler]How could he have thrown it all away when he had everything he ever wanted?![/spoiler]

7.5/10

[kevinknapman]

A beautiful, touching and incredibly funny movie. With an extraordinary central performance from Paul Giamatti, making a potentially difficult character oddly lovable. So much so that in the latter stages of the film it was almost profoundly moving (I have to confess to a few teary moments towards the end).
Excellent support too. Dustin Hoffman stealing scenes as Barney's father (and in an inspired piece of casting, Hoffman's own son Jake playing his grandson). Both Minnie Driver and Rosamund Pike as two of the women in Barney's life were very strong. Also a couple of nice cameos from Canadian directors Atom Egoyan and David Cronenberg as directors of the awful soap that Barney produces, in which stars, in a nice piece of typecasting, Due South's Paul Gross as a Mountie.
A long film perhaps, but one that deserved to be. A highly entertaining movie that deserves to find an audience.

[valda]

Clapham was 100% attendance, we had to sit in the front row. I'm so glad I managed to get in

As to the film I agree with everything that KP said. I did cry towards the end, and so did my friend. Great performances all round.

10/10 for a film that made me laugh and cry

[Ms Thrifty]

Shame there won't be any more previews now; I would have loved to be able to see this but will have to wait until Friday and p*y!

[Beate]

I liked this enormously, it was a very interesting movie, and quite funny at times. Dustin Hoffman got all the good lines and delivered them with aplomb. Rosamund Pike was fantastic (and sorry but she is too good looking for Paul Giamatti's character, it must have been the insistant wooing). It may have been an unusual life but it wasn't all that extraordinary, I mean, he wasn't a spy or anything. He just had a few women in his life, lost his best friend in an accident and then suffered from dementia in the end. But it was told so nicely, and he was a good bloke - apart from that one unfortunate transgression he wasn't even clever enough to lie about.

It was nice to see bevvy, hottips and hdaniel82 again - and I think I saw soonforgotten from afar. The cinema was very full btw, and OH led the way in through the side entrance (used by the Sunday church) when the ushers made no attempts to open the door and we were all freezing outside.

7.5/10

[chrisbeel]

Saw the preview screening this morning at Aberdeen's Belmont Picturehouse. It was only about half full but the atmosphere was good.
The film was great and Paul Giamatti's portrayal of the lead "Barney" was amazing, funny and moving in equal measure.