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Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Henry Cavill

An eccentric New Yorker (Larry David) abandons his upper class life to lead a more bohemian existence. He meets a young girl from the south and her family, and no two people seem to get along in the e...( read more  read more... )ntanglements that follow.

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PG-13, 1 hr. 32 min.

Directed by: Woody Allen

Release Date: June 19, 2009

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DVD Release Date: October 27, 2009

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Flixster Reviews (1,298)

  • johnd62
    November 1, 2009
    johnd62
    You know what the biggest issue with Woody Allen comedies in the last 10 years? Its the male lead, they are written to be so distinctly Woody that there is just something strange and uncomfortable about watching anyone else take that role.
    While Larry David seems to be a perfect...( read more) fit for a Woody Allen comedy, you still feel as though Woody really misses the 70s in "Whatever Works", his first New York comedy in 5 years. What should have been a match made in comedic neurotic, Jewish stereotype heaven turns into a so-so comedy that should have been a lot better.
    For the record I love "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and Larry David in it but simply put part of the appeal of Curb is that it never asks you to think of Larry David as anything more then a socially inept ass, here David is a socially inept ass that were suppose to like... I'm sure he's a nice guy in real life but likable Larry David is like catching your parents making out, you just get really uncomfortable watching it all go down.
    Though to be fair even if David was playing to his strength, this script was on the back burner for 30 years! While it has its moments of charm and humor, you can see why. I know it may be unfair to compare this with "Annie Hall" or "Manhattan" but its hard not to expect more after those masterpieces.
    That's not to say that the film does not also include the strengths of Woody Allen, as usual Allen is amazing with his female cast, Evan Rachel Wood brings an amazing ray of sunshine to a fairly cynical attitude and even if he is not in top form, Allen is still a sharper satirist then the majority of writers out there. That there are certainly some moments in "Whatever Works" that shows what our parents saw in Woody Allen to begin with.
    If the film was better constructed and more selective in it editing and style, we could have had a masterpiece but sadly by just putting whatever into the film and only about 50% work. (Man, I'm witty)
  • mrpopcorn
    October 29, 2009
    mrpopcorn
    "Why do all the religious psychotics wind up praying in my doorstep?"

    Boris Yellnikoff rants to anyone who will listen, including the audience. But when he begrudgingly allows naive Mississippi runaway Melodie St. Ann Celestine to live in his apartment, his reclusive rage...( read more)s give way to an unlikely friendship and Boris begins to mold the impressionable young girl's worldly views to match his own.

    REVIEW

    Whatever Works is Woody Allen's umpteenth film as director. Boris has an acerbic personality that really turns out to be a perfect match for the character he plays and for the world view Allen wants to show. Bitterness, paranoia and an amused fatalism make David's performance absolutely perfect, show him really comfortable in the Woody Allen role, and overall make him believable. Whatever Works takes a serious downturn when the focus drifts from Boris and moves elsewhere, on Melodie's mother and later on her father John. These awakenings (the film is to be watched to understand why they woke up..) of two southern conservatives in New York are extremely funny but also "a bit" earnest. Whatever Works might seem familiar but has found a winning formula that makes it different from other Allen's works. A must see movie for sure.
  • PvtCaboose91
    October 15, 2009
    PvtCaboose91
    "Whatever love you can get and give. Whatever happiness you can provide. Every temporary measure of grace. Whatever works."


    "Vintage Woody Allen" would be the most appropriate label for 2009's Whatever Works, because that's never been truer. Woody initially wrot

    ...( read more)e this film back in 1977 as a vehicle for Zero Mostel, but the screenplay was set aside when Mostel inconsiderably died before the film could be made. However when Woody's one-movie-a-year output was placed in jeopardy by a threatened actor's strike and he needed a movie ready to go sooner than usual, he resurrected the old script and gave it a quick rewrite. Whatever Works marks the writer-director's return to New York City following several filmmaking endeavours in Europe, and it features a number of his touchstones: the philosophising of Annie Hall, the misanthropy of Deconstructing Harry, and the customary old man/young lover theme present in a lot of Woody's prior films. A familiarity that clouds the entire enterprise notwithstanding, this typically Woody-esque, comical mediation on human existence and love is the filmmaker's most effective and hilarious comedy in years (the fact that Woody wrote this film around the same time as Annie Hall probably has something to do with that).


    Whatever Works opens brilliantly with Boris Yellnikoff (David) breaking the fourth wall (a typical Woody Allen technique) as he addresses the camera to introduce his narrative. However this isn't an aside; Boris is doing it in the middle of New York City in full view of bystanders. His friends think he has utterly lost it, especially when he explains that they are in fact being watched by thousands of people in theatres. This technique begins the film with an easy charm; a sly smile in the audience's direction.
    Boris is an adamant misanthropist who bad-mouths children, shows little patience for anyone, and even insults the most inoffensive individuals who cross his path (perceiving them as imbecilic simpletons of inferior intellect). He also impresses his ideologies on religion, relationships and the randomness of existence upon anyone willing to listen. But when Boris begrudgingly allows naïve Mississippi runaway Melodie St. Ann Celestine (Wood) into his apartment, his reclusive rage gives way to an unlikely friendship.


    Amidst this narrative, there are talky conversations at landmarks and outdoor cafés; all taking place in the New York City that Woody Allen has celebrated throughout his career. The time of separation away from his native Manhattan (during which he worked in London and Spain) has reinvigorated his work - there's a great sense of liveliness and spirit. It's a joy to see the filmmaker back in this territory. However, Whatever Works is far from flawless - in between the one-liners and witty dialogue, the narrative odds and ends of the film feel perfunctory, even resigned. The second half of the movie (full of reunions and subplots to extend the runtime) isn't as well-paced as the blisteringly hilarious, rapid-fire first half. In addition, the movie's philosophy may be about life being full of surprises, but Allen's recent output is only rarely surprising. Whatever Works reinforces the notion that the writer-director's creative well has run dry; his films now either spectacles featuring attractive characters in foreign locales (like 2008's Vicky Cristina Barcelona) or comedic larks in which notable names embody the archetypal Woody Allen role. These criticisms notwithstanding, his latest efforts are still entertaining, and with the comfortable space he's created for himself he can just get on with being Woody Allen without fretting (ironically).


    Interestingly, the three decades have been kind to Woody's script for Whatever Works. It's just as funny - maybe even funnier - as it would've been back in 1977, and it feels more audacious and relevant in 2009. As a matter of fact, much of what makes the film seem daring is as a result of the passage of time. The elements guaranteed to startle in 2009 - a ménage à trois, a homosexual awakening, the generally irreligious tone - would be far less shocking to a '70s audience. The fact that Allen presents these in a matter-of-fact, offhanded manner reflects the earlier era, making them more provocative all these decades later. Since Whatever Works is a dosage of old-school Allen, the dialogue is boundlessly witty and there are some killer one-liners. Boris' diatribes are hysterical; the best Woody has written for years (once again coming back to the fact that the material was written in the '70s). Probably the most note-worthy aspect of Whatever Works is that it's one of Allen's most optimistic films about life and love to date.


    Curb Your Enthusiasm comedian Larry David is an excellent Boris Yellnikoff. David was a natural to play the "Woody Allen role", and he handles himself excellently; making his character appealing and tolerable without diluting his nasty side. According to Allen, Boris is an extreme exaggeration of his feelings - to that end, David's gleeful portrayal of the unyielding misanthrope is more savage and belligerent than Woody has even been. Boris' omnipotent contempt is nothing new, but the mean-spirited ferocity is. The 74-year-old Allen could have probably pulled off the character, yet it still works with a surrogate. As a side note, there are lines delivered by Larry David that Zero Mostel might have gotten more comedic mileage out of.
    David receives solid support from Evan Rachel Wood (previously seen in 2008's The Wrestler), who manages to make her role of Melodie dopey and callow but not grating or obvious. The actress disappears into the role of the Southern dumbbell to the extent that she's almost unrecognisable. Patricia Clarkson (who starred in Woody's 2008 project Vicky Cristina Barcelona) shines as Marietta, while Ed Begley Jr. and Henry Cavill fulfil their functions in the story terrifically.


    Curiously, the predominantly negative reviews for Whatever Works gripe about the fact that Boris is "too unlikeable" or "unsympathetic". These critics are missing the point entirely. It's no accident that (as the familiar old record for the opening credits) Allen chose Groucho Marx singing Hello, I Must Be Going; the character of Boris Yellnikoff is the same type of sharp-witted, bitter grouser that Groucho used to portray. Despite this, Groucho was a comedian and, as often noted, a huge influence on Allen. Did anyone complain about Groucho playing a quick-witted con man who insulted everyone in sight? No, because he was funny. So is Boris Yellnikoff. So is Whatever Works to a tremendous degree. While a viewer may be left with a lingering sense of déjà vu during the movie, this is a fun and funny sit-down; a nourishing dose of old-school Woody Allen ladled on top of a New York that, after all these years, still needs him.
  • her69eyes
    July 19, 2009
    her69eyes
    The lights dim and the familiar credits roll. Underneath the minimalist black-on-white text we hear Groucho Marx's rendition of "Hello, I Must Be Going". Is it about that time again for a new Woody Allen movie?

    The rest is just as comfortable. A neurotic old kitsch wonders the ...( read more)streets of New York exercising his vocabulary and familiarity with literature. At his side is a young girl, much too young for him, who naively hangs onto his every breath as if it were gospel. He's her hero and her lover.

    In "Whatever Works", Woody Allen is played by Larry David, the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star and former writer of Seinfeld. Much like Seinfeld, David's humor is the sort that you either get or you don't. Some audience members won't have the tolerance to care for such an irredeemable prick, and other's will laugh along as he condescends those whom he feels are intellectually inferior inchworms.

    He is Boris Yellnikoff (Larry David), a brilliant nuclear physicist who at one time was in consideration for the Nobel Prize. This is a fact that he's not shy about flaunting. He's now retired and lives alone in a modest apartment, working part-time as a chess instructor to children he refers to as miserable cretins and pygmies.

    His life changes, of course, when he meets Melody St. Ann Celestine (Evan Rachel Wood), a beautiful young Southern girl who has run away from home. She's an airhead incapable of picking up on the most blatant sarcasm, however Boris is able to put up with her until they eventually fall in love. Later on, Melody's parents will track her down - Marietta (Patricia Clarkson) and John (Ed Begley Jr.), two fundamentalist right-wingers who are transformed (well, liberal-ized) by New York.

    The humor in "Whatever Works" is certainly broad. Everyone in the film is a cartoon, and not even cartoons from the same comic strip. They all undergo transformations instantaneously, with topics such as homosexual repression surfacing seamlessly in a casual conversation with a stranger.

    Maybe "Whatever Works" is treading water, and maybe it's script isn't dense enough to make us really care for these people - but, as someone who loves David's work on "Curb Your Enthusiasm", I found myself laughing to tears during his rants. Did this schtick really need a whole motion picture? No. But, sometimes you just want to laugh, and when you get that bug, well, whatever works.
  • benjaminguilbert2
    July 15, 2009
    benjaminguilbert2
    Lets not be shy about it: I laughed a lot, more than in front of any Woody for a very very long time. Now granted the film is socially out-dated and offer as much insight into the human condition as a 5 minute chat with a teenager, but still very very good fun.
  • lucynechita
    November 7, 2009
    lucynechita
    "Why would you want to hear my story? Do we know each other? Do we like each other? Let me tell you right off, ok... I'm not a like-able guy. Charm has never been a priority with me. And just so you know, this is not the feel good movie of the year. So if you're one of those idio...( read more)ts who needs to feel good, go get yourself a foot massage." Woody has done it again!
  • bbcfloridabound
    November 7, 2009
    bbcfloridabound
    It had a few moments but not many. Just wasn't what I enjoy in a film,, shortest comment yet. 2 1/2 stars
  • keith222
    November 6, 2009
    keith222
    Woody and Larry working together in the same film. This is like every college educated late twenties, white male's dream. They are like a powerful duo of jewish comics. Someone should remake Beyond Thunderdome, and have those two play Master Blaster. Imagine modern day jew hating...( read more) Me Gibson battling Larry David and Woody Allen attached on his back. Shit we don't even really need the movie lets just make this a pay-per-view event. Putting famous jewish celebrities in the Thunderdome against Mel.

    Overall it was an entertaining, funny film. Apparently Woody wrote this script in the early 70's and had written the main role for Zero Mostel, but he died soon after Annie Hall was made. Knowing that now you can kinda see Larry David trying to do a small ode to Zero in the best way that Larry can. Definitely worth a watch for any Woody fan, and its great to see him back doing a comedy instead of these intense dramas. It is especially great to see him back to using his best stock actor, New York City. Why would he want to shoot anywhere else.
  • CurtisoftheDead
    November 6, 2009
    CurtisoftheDead
    Decent Woody flick. Decent acting, I dont think Larry David is meant for the big screen though. I liked the story and the message but this may have been Woody justifying his little tiff with his daughter through film.
  • surgemonkey
    November 5, 2009
    surgemonkey
    Whatever works is insanely clever and funny, but that's about it. There really is not much else there. Its still extreamely entertaining to watch, though. I didn't realize until just not that Larry David was in the lead. I had thought that it was Woody Allen. Even Rachel Wood was...( read more) hilarious. Who would have thought she could pull off a southern accent so well? The only other Woody Allen movies i've seen are "Scoop" and "Cassandra's Dream" and i wouldn't say that this is as good as either of them. But its fun, and funny, and worth watching. =]

View All Whatever Works Reviews

Critic Reviews

July 3, 2009
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Whatever Works isn't topnotch Woody Allen, but it's still immensely funny. full review

June 25, 2009
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Larry David is the mind of the enterprise, and Evan Rachel Wood is the heart. full review

June 19, 2009
Pete Hammond, Hollywood.com

Woody Allen and Larry David! What could be better than this dream team? full review

June 19, 2009
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

A belabored trifle that's occasionally amusing but often just bewildering, beginning with the movie's intentionally outlandish setup. full review

June 19, 2009
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

My problem with Whatever Works is not that the premise is a wee bit familiar. Rather, it's that the delivery is off. full review

June 19, 2009
Kurt Loder, MTV

"Whatever Works" isn't a good Woody Allen movie, even by latter-day standards. It is, however, a surprisingly offensive Woody Allen movie. full review

June 18, 2009
Claudia Puig, USA Today

One would think Allen had worked though his on-screen fascination with the older man-young girl scenario by now. This latest exploration just feels derivative and musty. full review

June 18, 2009
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Whatever Works feels like something out of time and, worse, out of step. full review

June 17, 2009
Armond White, The New York Press

Ten years after his great expectoration of bile in Deconstructing Harry, Woody Allen comes up with Whatever Works -- the most shameless, cynically titled Hollywood con job since the days of Billy Wilder. full review

June 15, 2009
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker

This is pretty broad stuff, but Clarkson is so much more vital and amiable than anyone else that you instantly root for her. full review

View more Whatever Works reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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