First Hit: Although the main character is not very likable, the story and acting is very strong and worthy of attention.
Paul Giamatti plays Barney Panofsky a drunk, curmudgeon, and man fighting to be at peace with his life. Barney is a hard drinking, cigar smoking producer who marries women he doesn’t really want to be with.
He is a good friend and does surprisingly supportive things for some of his co-workers. He is also demanding, self-centered, and pushy with what he wants – usually drunk. His father Izzy (played by Dustin Hoffman) understands his son’s behavior although it appears that Barney learned a lot of his behavior from his father.
His second wife (played by Minnie Driver) is demanding and ends up sleeping with his best friend which results in a bizarre set of incidents which lead a police to think Barney kills his best friend. During his second wedding Barney meets Miriam (played by Rosamund Pike) whom he pursues for years and upon his divorce he seeks her out.
They marry and Barney lives in relative peace because he's with his best friend and lover. But Barney’s jealous and stupid past catch up with him and he breaks his promise to Miriam and she leaves him.
Barney lives his later years in pain and as the film moves towards its ending, his dementia appears to be the price and peace for living his life.
Giamatti is perfect as Panofsky, nobody could have done this role better. Driver is good as a loud demanding wife. Pike is endearingly wonderful as Miriam and fully believable as to why Barney wants to marry her. Hoffman is wonderful as Barney’s father. Michael Konyves wrote an incredible script. Richard J. Lewis directed this script and actors with perfection.
Overall: A very well acted and directed film.