"BARNEY'S VERSION" RECEIVES 11 GENIE NOMINATIONS

Rosamund Pike at TIFF 2010

Congratulations to the Cast and Crew of Barney's Version, which received an astonishing eleven nominations at this year's Genie Awards.  The Comedy/Drama received nods in the categories of Best Lead Actor (Paul Giamatti), Best Lead Actress (Rosamund Pike), Best Supporting Actor (Dustin Hoffman) and Best Supporting Actress (Minnie Driver).  Director Richard J. Lewis is also up for Best Director.

Following closely behind Barney's Version is Denis Villeneuve's Incendies with a total ten nominations.  It is considered the closest threat to Barney's Version in the coveted Best Picture category. The Film is Canada's entry at the Oscars for Best Foreign Picture.

The Ceremony which will be held in Ottawa on March 10, 2011 at the National Arts Centre, honours the best in Canadian Film and will be broadcast on CBC. 

For more on The Genies, click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

BARNEY`S VERSION - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Barney`s Version

With tons of buzz surrounding Richard J. Lewis' Barney's Version, an adaptation of the Mordecai Richler Novel, I can say with certainty that it delivers big. Driven by a remarkable performance from the always-excellent Paul Giamatti as unlikely rule-breaking hero Barney Panofsky, much of the Film is set in Montreal where the Television Producer finds a deep and passionate love with Miriam (Rosamund Pike) after two failed marriages with Clara (Rachelle Lefevre) and Mrs. P (Minnie Driver).

Life according to Barney is all-or-nothing, resulting in many highs and lows. It is this philosophy which sees him getting his heart broken with two of his Best Friends (one whom he is accused of murdering - Boogie played by Scott Speedman) having affairs with both of his ex-Wives. It is also his impulsiveness which leads him to pursue the eventual love his life Miriam on the very night of his second wedding (to Driver`s character). And he does score big, finding many years of happiness with Miriam after finally winning her heart.  As he ages and his memory begins to fail him with the onset of Alzheimer`s Disease, will Barney`s impulsiveness get the best of him and lead to his demise?