Whatever Works

2009 "A new comedy!"
7.1| 1h32m| PG-13| en| More Info
Released: 19 June 2009 Released
Producted By: Wild Bunch
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website: https://www.sonyclassics.com/whateverworks/
Info

Whatever Works explores the relationship between a crotchety misanthrope, Boris and a naïve, impressionable young runaway from the south, Melody. When Melody's uptight parents arrive in New York to rescue her, they are quickly drawn into wildly unexpected romantic entanglements. Everyone discovers that finding love is just a combination of lucky chance and appreciating the value of "whatever works."

Genre

Comedy, Romance

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Whatever Works (2009) is now streaming with subscription on Freevee

Director

Woody Allen

Production Companies

Wild Bunch

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Whatever Works Audience Reviews

Chirphymium It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional
Kamila Bell This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.
Scarlet The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
Cristal The movie really just wants to entertain people.
blanche-2 If you like Larry David from "Curb Your Enthusiasm," you'll love this 2009 film from Woody Allen, "Whatever Works," starring David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, and Ed Begley Jr.David, as usual, plays an impossible human being, Boris, who "almost was nominated" for either the Pulitzer or Nobel Prize, I can't remember which, a self-described genius who sees nothing but gloom and doom wherever he turns. He sees the world going to hell in a handbasket, and after he finishes describing it, you will, too, if you don't already. I admit it's looking pretty bad.Then he meets Melody, a young runaway southern girl who moves in on him - first she wants food, then, being homeless, she needs a place to stay. Boris winds up marrying her.When her mother (Patricia Clarkson) arrives, she is appalled by the way Boris lives (in a dump) and his advanced age. She immediately sets out to find someone else for Melody. While looking, she also finds herself and becomes an artistic photographer who sleeps with every man she meets. Then Melody's father (Begley) arrives, and I'll stop there.The acting is terrific, with Evan Rachel Wood turning in a wonderful performance as an upbeat, sweet southern gal who is fascinated by Boris even if she doesn't always get what he's saying. Begley is a riot, and Clarkson has a different kind of role for her, less serious but no less intense.Someone on this board said Woody Allen is obsessed with death, sex, and intellect. Whoever said that left out May-December relationships, at which he seems to be an expert. I have no idea whether anything printed about him at the time Blue Jasmine came out is true but there's no denying his interest in the under-25 crowd.This is talky movie with a lot of humor, and we don't have David doing a Woody impression. Rather, he talks more like himself, and some of the dialogue is a riot. And like all of Woody's films, there's a theme. In Match Point, it was luck; In Crimes and Misdemeanors, life goes on after mortal sin, and here it's if you have a chance at happiness, take it. Do whatever works. I liked it.
ggmcheartagram I feel like i have mixed feelings about this film. It's not quite what i expected. I was expecting a comedy but i just didn't find it funny at all. Now i haven't watched Curb Your Enthusiasm or Seinfield so maybe if you like those shows you would find some humour in this film? I just found it to be a bit depressing and slightly awkward to watch. Don't get me wrong i didn't dislike it, i just probably didn't get the point of it. The biggest positive of this film for me was Rachel Evan Wood, I think this is the most likable character i have ever seen her play, she was adorable and very beautiful. I couldn't suspend my belief enough to find it believable that she would fall for Larry David... I thought everyone did a good job acting wise but I felt quite awkward every time Larry David talked to the audience watching the film, it felt quite forced and i think it was meant to be more natural. Even though i appear to have more negatives than positives about this film, I still found it to be very watchable. If you like very dry humour then you will probably enjoy this film.
jaggedyer Firstly, I am a big fan of all Woody Allen movies. In fact, I've seem all 40 or his movies. However, I feel his cast, coupled with his misunderstanding of the 'south' has forced to a 4/10 rating for this. I am from the south and his misunderstanding of the the entire script is wrong. The acting is terrible, I believe Woody gave too-much lee-way to the actors or did not type-cast them correctly. It isn't a horrible movie, just seems unnatural and DEFINITELY not his best work. Perhaps he rushed it a lot. This is the worst of of his movies I have seen thus far. I feel he chose the incorrect actors and did not type-cast this entire movie well. It was almost as if he was stoned the entire time he was directing this. This is my opinion.
tao902 One of forty films written and directed by the prolific Woody Allen. Boris Yellnikoff, played by Larry David, is a retired nuclear physicist who seems to be committed to a depressingly cynical view of the world. He constantly pontificates his views and philosophies to anyone within ear shot.A young, naïve woman who has run away from her parents in Mississippi enters his life, managing to persuade him to let her stay at his place until she establishes her independence in New York. He tries to shape her character with his observations on life and the unlikely duo end up marrying. The girl's parents, who have split up, eventually track her down and the film moves further into farcical situations.Fairly typical Woody Allen, amusing lines and scenarios but nothing new.