‘Bwe.

Sometimes I remember it one way...

The chronicling of one man’s complicated journey through life

      

By Angela Espinoza, Arts Reviewer

Barney’s Version is adapted from

the 1997 novel of the same name by
Canadian writer Mordecai Richler
(1931-2001). It tells the story of the
titular Barney Panofsky (Paul Giamatti),
a Jewish, Montreal-born television
producer. Partially taking place in present
day, Barney struggles to remember
several major events that happened over
the past four decades. These include his
three marriages: the first to the mentally
unstable Clara Charnofsky (Rachelle
Lefevre), the second to an egomaniacal
and crude nameless “McGill graduate’
(Minnie Driver), and the third to the
love of Barney’s life, Miriam Grant
(Rosamund Pike). As the years pass by,
we watch as each of Barney’s loved ones
gradually disappear from his life, and
how those remaining attempt to help him
cope with his looming Alzheimer’s.

The film features an ensemble cast,
including Dustin Hoffman as Barney’s
father, Izzy, and Scott Speedman as
‘Boogie’, Barney’s best friend. As
we examine Barney’s life, dozens of
characters continuously come and go,
with their importance to Barney varying
at different times. Save for several key
stars (e.g. Giamatti, Hoffman, Pike,
Driver), the majority of the cast is
actually Canadian, including director
Richard J. Lewis. Barney's Version,
while keeping its Montreal setting
somewhat low-key, also features cameos
by acclaimed Canadian directors David
Cronenberg, Atom Egoyan, and Denys
Arcand, as well as actor Paul Gross.

Its cameos and various audience-
directed quips consistently remind its

8

 

viewers of where they are. However,
the inclusion of these amusing moments
only make the film’s far more serious
tones that much harsher in comparison.

~Barney’s Version is an incredibly fun

ride, but when things go wrong, the
results are devastating. Barney’s life is
not an easy one, but despite his vices
and straightforward approach to life,
you grow to love him as something of a
“frenemy.”

There had been various
developmental problems that took
Barney’s Version roughly twelve
years before it could be completed,
but the results are near perfect.

The cinematography of the film is
stunning, but has found itself ironically
overshadowed by the slew of flawless
actors it embraces. Each actor embodies
their role, with even one-off side
characters making lasting impressions.
This has garnered acting nominations
for Pike and Driver at the London Film
Critics Circle Awards, as well as winning
the Best Actor award for Giamatti at

this year’s Golden Globes. As the film
covers most of Barney’s life, there was

a great attention to detail on the actors’
appearances, gaining an Academy Award
nomination for Best Makeup.

After premiering at the 67" Venice
International Film Festival last year (and
earning a nomination for the Golden Lion
{Best Picture}), Barney’s Version has
been gradually released into theatres, and
is currently being screened throughout
BC.

nace

 

Be mine Blue Valentine

It’s blue and gold all at the same time

By Jacey Gibb ©

movie comes along that reminds us

how awful loves really is and that
we're all going to die alone.

My first thoughts when the credits
began to roll after Blue Valentine were
how the hell do I dissect this smorgasbord
of emotions that I’ve just been served?

J ust in time for Valentine’s Day, a

How do I write good things about a movie ~

that made me feel simply bad? In case
you’ ve avoided hearing about the film and
all the awards buzz it’s been generating,
Blue Valentine is a time period jumping
piece tracking the formation and eventual
disintegration of a charming young
couple, played to perfection by Ryan
Gosling and Michelle Williams. Think
(500) Days of Summer minus the indie
quirk plus a kid involved.

Yeah. It sucks.

Thankfully, the haunting trailer
(Gosling’s singing still gives me the

| willies) leaves the majority of the plot

unrevealed, so I'll try and refrain from
too many major spoilers. The important
thing to remember is we’re not concerned
with where these characters end up, but
more so on how they arrive at that fateful
destination. Subtle, yet awfully revealing
Easter eggs pop up along the way to give
insight to the various flaws inflicting each
half of the couple.

I’m not usually one to comment on
and take mental notes about symbolism or
hidden meanings in films, but repeatedly
this film slapped me in the face like a fish
on dry land. The most powerful example
would be when the characters decide
to spend an evening away together and
escape to a themed hotel (bow chicka

wow wow). Ignoring the option of the
‘Cupid Room’, Gosling’s character
chooses the ‘Future Room’ to be their
love bungalow. When they arrive, they are
greeted with a cold, foreign environment
completely absent of any windows or
source of exterior lighting. I guess the
comparison to their relationship may not
have been as subtle when I think about it
now but my realization of it in the theatre
sure kicked my emotions in the groin.

Much like (500) Days, the majority
of the movie is composed of scenes with
only the two leads onscreen. This proves
an easy feat though, as both actors give
performances that are worth every bit of
praise they’ve received so far. Gosling’s
journey from dorky, sincere Dean into
an ambitionless family man infuriates
the viewer while Williams’ Cindy plays
the part of dependant, not without spine,
woman who seems to always have to rely
on a man. IVE SAID ENOUGH!

I understand the negative reviews
that are circulating though. If you know
what to expect, that’s probably the best
way to prepare. The pacing seems slow
too, which I felt was an intentional way to
help the audience feel the years slip past.
Real life isn’t a laugh buffet oozing with
car chases; it’s just real life, and that’s
all Blue Valentine is. I won’t say how it
ends or what becomes of the seemingly
doomed from the opening scene pairing.
The story is engaging, the actors are great
and, as for the movie itself... Well, let’s
Just say it leaves you feeling a little Blue
too.

Rating: 4/5

OOo