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Item Type: DVD Movie
Item Rating: PG13
Street Date: 10/27/09
Wide Screen: yes
Director Cut: no
Special Edition: no
Language: ENGLISH
Foreign Film: noSubtitles: no
Dubbed: no
Full Frame: no
Re-Release: no
Packaging: SleeveWoody Allen’s cynical sensibility so superbly dovetails with Larry David’s acerbic misanthropy, it’s a wonder they haven’t worked together before. But no matter: fans of Allen, David, and especially David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm will delight in the ability of Whatever Works to find humor in the darkest and most abrasive of life’s corners.
The crux of this odd love story involves the unlikely friendship between David’s character (the brilliant, kvetchy Boris) and the Southern beauty queen with a heart of gold and a brain of wide-open spaces, Melodie (the always-surprising Evan Rachel Wood). Boris takes on Melodie as a tutorial project, showing her the bleak ways of the world, and Melodie takes care of Boris with crayfish and Fred Astaire movies. There are other memorable performances by Patricia Clarkson, as Melodie’s deeply religious and tightly wound mama, and Ed Harris, as her husband, a Southerner slightly to the right of George Wallace. The parents come to the big city to reclaim their wayward lamb, and when the Southerners meet the New Yorkers, sparks fly–in ways both good and slightly scary.
The film works because of the unlikely chemistry between the two stars and because of David’s unflinchingly dyspeptic portrayal, which–while not exactly cozy to watch–is undeniably brilliant. The two find that their oddball friendship helps each of them find a little more meaning in their lives. “Whatever works”–a simple but profound recipe for happiness. –A.T. Hurley
Buy “Whatever Works” For Only $13.00
March 5, 2010
#1
This is a shockingly inept movie with few redeeming features. Larry David in particular can’t act – he can only be himself, for better or worse. The film (more of a TV show, actually) was shot on the cheap with the minimum effort. Weak, cheesy script. Superficial acting. The assumption seems to be that jokes that (might) work in a Brooklyn shtetl will universally apply. Perhaps not. There is no fun in the film, no depth, little actual humor – just a leering David. I liked the Barcelona film for its depth and awareness of the humanness of attraction, passion and suffering. But this? Awful!
March 5, 2010
#2
Gag! Not another old guy, young girl movie. If you haven’t noticed, every author over 50 has written a book about some beautiful young girl being in love with them. ALERT TO MEN OVER 50!!! No, we do not want to be with you. Yuch! Get over it, ok?
March 5, 2010
#3
I mean those who “criticize”! Read your own reviews before pressing Submit button. Be humble! All your talk is merely stroking your ego and a parade of mediocrity which would not even stain the work of art. I like Woody Allen’s persona (with all his shortcomings) as well as most of his creations and that is why I continue watching his movies. And none of your highbrow blabbering would sway devotee like me. Those who do not hold sincere interest and empathy in the art of an artist should not even bother to buy a ticket; you have other genres made for you. You are making fools of yourselves! What are your reference points – you own life with your experiences, your reading and thinking, your faith or lack of such, your age and wisdom? Don’t you think that to be credible you should be “something”, produce something, relate some positive message no matter the subject, have a reputation?.. All of you waist reader’s time regurgitating the plot while missing plethora of details which not only give clues to each situation in the movie but are in essence the “colors on the canvas” which more tolerant and inquisitive people come to see. Behind the grotesque boldness there is gentleness and vibrant complexity. Eat your own diet and do not push it on others. Shalom.
March 5, 2010
#4
This is the last time I fork out for a Woody Allen movie without knowing anything about the movie first. I’m afraid his credit no longer runs. I have never panned a Woody film before, but this takes the can. Vicky Christina Barcelona was bad enough. Time to hang up the camera and go fishing, Mr. Konigsberg.
This film was buttock clenchingly awful, from the wooden masturbatory fantasy of a plot to the painful effort of the lead to be Woody Allen. I felt sorry for the actors, especially Evan Rachel Wood. Annie Hall it wasn’t.
March 5, 2010
#5
Loved this movie. Saw it twice. Think it might be Woody Allen’s best. KH