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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Director

Woody Allen

Production Companies

Wild Bunch

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Whatever Works Audience Reviews

SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped
MonsterPerfect Good idea lost in the noise
Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.
Caryl It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.
osmangokturk Boris is a kind of the central figure in the movie. He touches everybody and change their life and make them happy, his life changes as well. It's kind of that Boris a supernatural, he knows the meaning of life and knows everything as he know that this is a movie and some people are out there watching them. It should not be surprising that he is depicted as a genius physicist. That would understand the universe and abolish the religion.In the movie, while some's life change to a more untraditional and deviated sexual life, some's go in the "right" direction. Deep religious mother enters into a life of 2 husbands and a wife living together and father enters into a gay relation, whereas the daughter moves from marrying a very old man to a similar age boy friend. So what Woody Allen would want to tell us? Life is unhappy, but after some unexpected coincidences people find their matches ? Reason leads to the wrong matches while the chance produces happy relations? Both premises are broken by the case of Melody. Initially Melody seems to go via the chance and later continue with by match of reason and plan. But one can say Melody and her boy friend were the only young couple, other being elders. Anyway we can't conclude any outcome on these. We can't say that Woody tries to favor perverted relations, because what Boris and Melody finally do is quite acceptable to the society and conventional . I may say the movie is a harsh critic to religious dogmas and taboos and it highlights the the fact that chance could create a happy lives. At least it has a well organized down to earth story and playing is amazing.
adi_2002 Boris is a depressed old man with an attempt of suicide. She mets a young attractive girl but she is homeless so he let's let live with him for a short period of time. Soon Melody begins to fall in love with him and they marry. Melody's mother comes into picture and convinces her daughter and a boy at the same age as her will be more proper. Of course argues are not avoided but the story has a happy ending somehow.This is just a drama of a old man sick with his life and what changes are happening when other peoples involves into his life. But the main flaw for me was Melody. She is presented as a homeless person who is sleeping covered in cardboard boxes but during the movie wears many different clothes and she always has make-up on her face. Pretty unusual for a poor girl right?But still the story manage to maintain you in front of the screen for the entire duration and that is the best aspect about this movie.
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.
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.