Paul Giamatti and Dustin Hoffman in "Barney's Version"
Canadian author Mordecai Richler’s telling of Barney Panofsky’s crazy life was released fourteen years ago. And much like the events of Barney, a man with three wives and an accusation of murder to his name, the journey for his film adaptation has been eventful to say the least. Conceived by producer Robert Lantos and eventually captained by Richard J. Lewis, Barney’s Version started off as Lantos’ dream, and became an award-winning drama/comedy starring three names known by Oscar, Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman, and Minnie Driver. Last Sunday, Paul Giamatti won a Golden Globe for his performance in the film.
To help make sense of it all, I sat down with director Richard J. Lewis to discuss all of the elements that went into telling Barney’s Version after so many years.
Barney’s Version opens in Chicago on January 21st.
Canadian author Mordecai Richler’s telling of Barney Panofsky’s crazy life was released fourteen years ago. And much like the events of Barney, a man with three wives and an accusation of murder to his name, the journey for his film adaptation has been eventful to say the least. Conceived by producer Robert Lantos and eventually captained by Richard J. Lewis, Barney’s Version started off as Lantos’ dream, and became an award-winning drama/comedy starring three names known by Oscar, Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman, and Minnie Driver. Last Sunday, Paul Giamatti won a Golden Globe for his performance in the film.
To help make sense of it all, I sat down with director Richard J. Lewis to discuss all of the elements that went into telling Barney’s Version after so many years.
Barney’s Version opens in Chicago on January 21st.
- 1/21/2011
- by Nick Allen
- The Scorecard Review
Chicago – Working with high level actors such as Paul Giamatti and Dustin Hoffman didn’t faze director Richard J. Lewis. He had pursued the film version of the Mordecai Richler’s novel “Barney’s Version” for several years, and it was his direction that recently got Giamatti (as Barney) the Golden Globe Award.
Lewis is a veteran of television, serving as a producer on the seminal police drama “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” from 2002 to 2009. Before that, he directed several shows, including “Due South,” Showtime’s “Beggars and Choosers” and most recently “The Defenders.” He scored a notable feature debut with “Whale Music” [1994] and even directed “K-9:Pi” [2002] starring Jim Belushi.
Director Richard J. Lewis on the set of ‘Barney’s Version’
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classic
Richard J. Lewis sat down for a lively Q&A with HollywoodChicago.com when he was in Chicago this week promoting Barney’s Version.
Lewis is a veteran of television, serving as a producer on the seminal police drama “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” from 2002 to 2009. Before that, he directed several shows, including “Due South,” Showtime’s “Beggars and Choosers” and most recently “The Defenders.” He scored a notable feature debut with “Whale Music” [1994] and even directed “K-9:Pi” [2002] starring Jim Belushi.
Director Richard J. Lewis on the set of ‘Barney’s Version’
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classic
Richard J. Lewis sat down for a lively Q&A with HollywoodChicago.com when he was in Chicago this week promoting Barney’s Version.
- 1/20/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Paul Giamatti Based on the award-winning novel by Canadian writer Mordecai Richler, Barney's Version is a movie for mature filmgoers - people who have lived through decades, who may have outlived marriages, and who can appreciate the ups and downs that characterize the most meaningful relationships in our lives. As such, the new film from Richard J. Lewis (Whale Music) is practically impossible to categorize. Part romantic comedy (but only the first half), part melancholic drama about aging, part epic love story... it's fully the layered, woven tapestry of one man's adult life. Though Paul Giamatti - as Barney Panofsky - is the lifeforce of this movie, he is surrounded by a rich and talented supporting cast, including his three wives: Barney's marriage to Rachelle Lefevre's Clara represents Barney's impetuous young adulthood in Europe (relocated to Rome from the novel's Paris); his pairing with Minnie Driver's 'Second Mrs.
- 1/12/2011
- TribecaFilm.com
"I'm Still Here" is Magnolia Films' new documentary by director Casey Affleck, following actor Joaquin Phoenix ("Gladiator"), from the announcement of his acting retirement, through his transition into a career as a failed, obnoxious 'hip hop' rapper.
Phoenix' 'performance' in "I'm Still Here", eerily resembles actor Maury Chaykin's turn as 'Desmond Howl', the burnt-out, slovenly automaton in director Richard J. Lewis, 1994 Canadian feature "Whale Music".
After "I'm Still Here" was mauled by critics for its candid depiction of Phoenix as a narcissistic, chain-smoking, drug-addled a-hole, destined to wind up like John Belushi, director Affleck was quick to point out that the film was an elaborately-staged 'faked' concoction, and that the mental-case up on screen was merely 'acting', including scenes of Phoenix vomiting in the toilet (CGI?) or having an assistant shit on his face while he is sleeping (bluescreen?)
Affleck has admitted he inserted a juvenile sequence in the beginning of the film,...
Phoenix' 'performance' in "I'm Still Here", eerily resembles actor Maury Chaykin's turn as 'Desmond Howl', the burnt-out, slovenly automaton in director Richard J. Lewis, 1994 Canadian feature "Whale Music".
After "I'm Still Here" was mauled by critics for its candid depiction of Phoenix as a narcissistic, chain-smoking, drug-addled a-hole, destined to wind up like John Belushi, director Affleck was quick to point out that the film was an elaborately-staged 'faked' concoction, and that the mental-case up on screen was merely 'acting', including scenes of Phoenix vomiting in the toilet (CGI?) or having an assistant shit on his face while he is sleeping (bluescreen?)
Affleck has admitted he inserted a juvenile sequence in the beginning of the film,...
- 9/24/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Actor who was at his best in shadowy roles
The actor Maury Chaykin, who has died aged 61 after a heart-valve infection, was an American and a Canadian citizen, and his career reflected his dual nationality. In the Us, he was a familiar face, if not a recognisable name, playing small but telling roles in major films. His breakthrough came in Dances With Wolves (1990), playing Major Fambrough, who sends Kevin Costner on his frontier assignment and then kills himself. Chaykin's only leading role was in the cable TV series A Nero Wolfe Mystery (2001), as the titular detective who refuses to leave his house, delegating that to his assistant (Timothy Hutton).
In Canada, Chaykin was something of a national treasure. He won a Genie award for best actor for his performance as a Brian Wilson-like burned-out rock star in Whale Music (1994), gave remarkable performances in three films directed by Atom Egoyan...
The actor Maury Chaykin, who has died aged 61 after a heart-valve infection, was an American and a Canadian citizen, and his career reflected his dual nationality. In the Us, he was a familiar face, if not a recognisable name, playing small but telling roles in major films. His breakthrough came in Dances With Wolves (1990), playing Major Fambrough, who sends Kevin Costner on his frontier assignment and then kills himself. Chaykin's only leading role was in the cable TV series A Nero Wolfe Mystery (2001), as the titular detective who refuses to leave his house, delegating that to his assistant (Timothy Hutton).
In Canada, Chaykin was something of a national treasure. He won a Genie award for best actor for his performance as a Brian Wilson-like burned-out rock star in Whale Music (1994), gave remarkable performances in three films directed by Atom Egoyan...
- 8/19/2010
- by Michael Carlson
- The Guardian - Film News
According to CBC News, veteran Canadian actor Maury Chaykin passed away a few hours ago at the age of 61 years old. Despite being born in the USA, we'll definitely miss his passion for building the Canadian movie industry.
Fans of Canadian TV and films will tell you that his name definitely rings a lot of bells.
In films, we've seen him in acclaimed Canadian films such as Blindness, Adoration, Where the Truth Lies or The Sweet Hereafter just to name a few. Besides, he won a Genie Award (the Canadian Oscar) for Best Actor in a Leading Role for the film Whale Music.
As for television, he was recently seen in the half-hour comedy Less than Kind, a TV series from the Canadian premium cable network HBO Canada.
Finally, I'd like to send my condolences all those who worked with him and knew him, especially his wife Susannah Hoffmann, an actress,...
Fans of Canadian TV and films will tell you that his name definitely rings a lot of bells.
In films, we've seen him in acclaimed Canadian films such as Blindness, Adoration, Where the Truth Lies or The Sweet Hereafter just to name a few. Besides, he won a Genie Award (the Canadian Oscar) for Best Actor in a Leading Role for the film Whale Music.
As for television, he was recently seen in the half-hour comedy Less than Kind, a TV series from the Canadian premium cable network HBO Canada.
Finally, I'd like to send my condolences all those who worked with him and knew him, especially his wife Susannah Hoffmann, an actress,...
- 7/28/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Canadian film and television actor Maury Chaykin passed away today in a Toronto hospital on his 61st birthday. Born in New York to an American father and Canadian mother, Chaykin made his way to Toronto in the '70s, where he remained for the rest of his life, amassing a myriad of roles, Genie nominations for Iron Eagle II and Cold Comfort, and a win for 1994's Whale Music.
Boasting an impressive 153 film and television credits, Chaykin was known in and out of the land of the maple leaf. In Canada, he graced a number of Atom Egoyan films including The Sweet Hereafter, Exotica, and Where the Truth Lies, he teamed up with Don McKellar (who recently lost wife Tracy Wright) on Blindness and Cooking with Stella, and more recently played Sam Blecher in the Mark McKinney-produced Less Than Kind. But his accomplishments and impact reached stateside features as well.
Boasting an impressive 153 film and television credits, Chaykin was known in and out of the land of the maple leaf. In Canada, he graced a number of Atom Egoyan films including The Sweet Hereafter, Exotica, and Where the Truth Lies, he teamed up with Don McKellar (who recently lost wife Tracy Wright) on Blindness and Cooking with Stella, and more recently played Sam Blecher in the Mark McKinney-produced Less Than Kind. But his accomplishments and impact reached stateside features as well.
- 7/27/2010
- by Monika Bartyzel
- Cinematical
Today's collection is a complete, eight-page look at all of the preliminary 2011 Oscar Contenders I've featured over the week in one complete post. There are a few I'll be adding, such as yesterday's Welcome to the RIleys suggestion and hopefully a few more documentaries, before the doors to the new "The Contenders" section opens up in April, but until then this is your one-stop-shop.
As we move along add any thoughts or films you think should be added in the comments below or send me an email directly if you have thoughts on additional contenders or news on any of those on this list. Your suggestions are welcomed and encouraged.
127 Hours Release Date: Release date not yet set Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures Directed By: Danny Boyle Cast: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara Quick Thoughts: Directed by Danny Boyle whose last film, Slumdog Millionaire, racked up eight Oscars including Best Picture,...
As we move along add any thoughts or films you think should be added in the comments below or send me an email directly if you have thoughts on additional contenders or news on any of those on this list. Your suggestions are welcomed and encouraged.
127 Hours Release Date: Release date not yet set Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures Directed By: Danny Boyle Cast: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara Quick Thoughts: Directed by Danny Boyle whose last film, Slumdog Millionaire, racked up eight Oscars including Best Picture,...
- 3/19/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
As of right now, I have a list of 72 individual films that could potentially go on to become 2011 Oscar nominees. If you take into consideration the additional films I currently have listed as animated and documentary contenders the list grows to 85 films. As a result I am going to break up this preliminary list of Oscar contenders into four articles and on the fifth day, this coming Friday, I will publish the list in its entirety. I felt it would be easier to digest everything this way as opposed to offering one massive list you probably wouldn't be able to look over all at once.
As for the list itself, it should be looked at as a guide to potential nominees, not a guarantee, not a lock, but simply films that could potentially go on to be remembered at the year-end Oscar race. A few of these films may not...
As for the list itself, it should be looked at as a guide to potential nominees, not a guarantee, not a lock, but simply films that could potentially go on to be remembered at the year-end Oscar race. A few of these films may not...
- 3/15/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Corus Entertainment announced the identity of its Corus Made with Pay Fund recipients. Of course, the recepients in question are actually 34 upcoming Canadian films.
By reading the press release, we can come to the conclusion that the high-profile upcoming films among the 34 recipients are:
King Leary, the novel from acclaimed screenwriter and author Paul Quarrington and Verite Films Inc., which follows the final adventure of old-timer Percival Leary, a one-time hockey legend, as he heads to Toronto to become the face of a marketing campaign. Quarrington’s previous works include Galveston, which was nominated for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, Whale Music, winner of the Governor General’s Award for Fiction in 1989 and King Leary, winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal.Author and screenwriter Miriam Toews’ The Flying Troutmans brings her hilarious and heartwarming novel about a family’s road trip across Canada to life in collaboration with screenwriter Semi Chellas...
By reading the press release, we can come to the conclusion that the high-profile upcoming films among the 34 recipients are:
King Leary, the novel from acclaimed screenwriter and author Paul Quarrington and Verite Films Inc., which follows the final adventure of old-timer Percival Leary, a one-time hockey legend, as he heads to Toronto to become the face of a marketing campaign. Quarrington’s previous works include Galveston, which was nominated for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, Whale Music, winner of the Governor General’s Award for Fiction in 1989 and King Leary, winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal.Author and screenwriter Miriam Toews’ The Flying Troutmans brings her hilarious and heartwarming novel about a family’s road trip across Canada to life in collaboration with screenwriter Semi Chellas...
- 12/24/2009
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Oscar winner Dustin "Rain Man" Hoffman will co-star with actor Paul "Cinderella Man" Giamatti in the upcoming $28-million feature-film adaptation of Canadian author Mordecai Richler's novel Barney's Version. Produced by Toronto's Serendipity Point Films, Hoffman will play the role of 'Izzy', a retired cop and father of 'Barney'. Production is set to start in Rome on Aug. 17, with scenes also being shot in New York, Montreal and the Quebec Laurentians. The feature is being produced in association with Rome's Fandango and Montreal's Lyla Films. Richler won the Giller Prize for 1997's Barney's Version, written as the autobiography of a hard-drinking man who finally calms down after meeting the love of his life 'Miriam', while recounting a life that includes friendship, romance and murder. Screenplay was adapted by Montreal writer Michael Konyves to be helmed by Richard J. "Whale Music" Lewis, noted as a writer/director of more than 50 episodes...
- 5/27/2009
- HollywoodNorthReport.com
Related:
Minghella filmography
Updated 6:29 p.m. Pt March 18
Writer-director Anthony Minghella, who died early Tuesday in London of an apparent brain hemorrhage, leaves behind a legacy of acclaimed work and a wide range of projects.
At 54, the British filmmaker known for his adaptations of literary material was, in many respects, in the prime of his career.
Minghella and the Weinstein Co. recently concluded a deal with HBO and the BBC to air the adaptation of the literary franchise "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" as a movie and 13-episode television series.
The filmmaker also was attached to write and direct the adaptation of Liz Jensen's France-based psychological thriller "The Ninth Life of Louis Drax," in development at the Weinstein Co., and had served as a producer on the recently wrapped "The Reader," the adaptation of the Oprah Winfrey-blessed German novel from the Weinstein Co. and Scott Rudin that's...
Minghella filmography
Updated 6:29 p.m. Pt March 18
Writer-director Anthony Minghella, who died early Tuesday in London of an apparent brain hemorrhage, leaves behind a legacy of acclaimed work and a wide range of projects.
At 54, the British filmmaker known for his adaptations of literary material was, in many respects, in the prime of his career.
Minghella and the Weinstein Co. recently concluded a deal with HBO and the BBC to air the adaptation of the literary franchise "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" as a movie and 13-episode television series.
The filmmaker also was attached to write and direct the adaptation of Liz Jensen's France-based psychological thriller "The Ninth Life of Louis Drax," in development at the Weinstein Co., and had served as a producer on the recently wrapped "The Reader," the adaptation of the Oprah Winfrey-blessed German novel from the Weinstein Co. and Scott Rudin that's...
- 3/19/2008
- by By Steven Zeitchik and Gregg Goldstein
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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