Sony to bring Barney's Version to U.S. cinemas

The highly anticipated Barney's Version, based on Mordecai Richler's acclaimed final novel, has landed a coveted U.S. distribution deal on the eve of the Toronto International Film Festival.

Sony Pictures Classics announced a deal Wednesday to distribute the Robert Lantos-produced, Richard J. Lewis-directed drama to American audiences.

"Very rarely does a major novel come to life so completely and so richly on the screen as it does here with Barney's Version," Sony Pictures said in a statement.

Sony also touted the "wonderful performances" of the cast, featuring Paul Giamatti as Barney Panofsky, along withDustin Hoffman, Rosamund Pike, Rachelle Lefevre and Minnie Driver.

E1 Entertainment and Essential Entertainment had previously signed on as the film's Canadian and overseas distributors, respectively.

Movie mogul Lantos, who knew the late Richler, worked for about 13 years to bring the CanLit icon's opus to the silver screen. The film follows the curmudgeonly and politically incorrect main character recalling his life as hestruggles with losing his memory.

Barney's Version premieres at the Venice International Film Festival on Friday, before making its North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday.

Other TIFF films being distributed by Sony Pictures Classics include You Will Meet a Tall, Dark Stranger, Tamara Drew and The Illusionist.