CULVER CITY, CALIF. (April 25, 2011) – Barney’s Version, the warm, wise and witty story of the politically incorrect life of Barney Panofsky, comes to Blu-ray™/DVD Combo Pack from Sony Pictures Classics and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on June 28th. The critically acclaimed film stars Paul Giamatti (Win Win), who won a Golden Globe® for his role as the charming-yet quick-to-offend TV producer, who must retell his version of the past when a sworn enemy publishes a tell-all book bringing to light the more compromising chapters of Barney’s life. The Sony Pictures Classics film features an all-star cast that includes Academy Award® winner Dustin Hoffman (Rain Man, Kramer vs. Kramer), Rosamund Pike (Die Another Day), Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting), Rachelle Lefevre (TV’s “Off the Map”) and Scott Speedman (Underworld).

Barney’s Version was written by Michael Konyves (TV’s “Fire & Ice”), based on Canadian novelist Mordecai Richler’s 1997 book of the same name. The film was directed by Richard J. Lewis (TV’s “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) and produced by Robert Lantos (Eastern Promises).

The Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack contain all-new special features including a piece on author Mordecai Richler, a look behind-the-scenes at the making of the film, on the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere, a Q&A with Paul Giamatti and a commentary with director Richard J. Lewis, writer Michael Konyves and producer Robert Lantos. Barney’s Version will be available on Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack for $38.96.

 

Synopsis:

Barney’s Version is the story of the politically incorrect life of Barney Panofsky (Giamatti) who meets the love of his life at his wedding ‑ and she is not the bride. A candid confessional, told from Barney‘s point of view, the film spans three decades and two continents, taking us through the different acts of his unusual history. There is his first wife, Clara (Lefevre), a flame‑haired, flagrantly unfaithful free spirit with whom Barney briefly lives ‘la vie de Boheme’ in Rome. The second Mrs. Panofsky (Driver) is a wealthy Jewish princess who shops and talks incessantly, barely noticing that Barney is not listening. It is at their lavish wedding that Barney meets, and starts pursuing, Miriam, his third wife (Pike), the mother of his two children and his true love. With his father Izzy (Hoffman) as his sidekick, Barney takes us through the many highs, and a few too many lows, of his long and colorful life. Not only does Barney turn out to be a true romantic, he is also capable of all kinds of sneaky acts of gallantry, generosity, and goodness when we and he least expect it. His is a gloriously full life, played out on a grand scale and at its center stands an unlikely hero, the unforgettable Barney Panofsky.

Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack Special Features include:

  • Commentary with director Richard J. Lewis, writer Michael Konyves and producer Robert Lantos
  • 92nd Street Y Q&A with Paul Giamatti & Annette Insdorf
  • Three All New Featurettes
    • Mordecai Richler: Barney’s Version
    • On the Red Carpet
    • Behind the Scenes of Barney’s Version