Review of Whatever Works (2009) by Cameron D — 29 Nov 2010

"WHATEVER WORKS" ... This movie was written and directed by Woody Allen and stars Larry David doing what he does best. It should have been a comedic winner, but it ends up being only mildly entertaining. Both Allen and David are masters at this, so my expectations were on the high side. My excuse is that having high expectations for these two is entirely justified. Allen with his long string of cinematic comedies and David with "Seinfeld" and then his own show, "Curb Your Enthusiasm." The two finally joining forces should have culminated in a moment of inspired comedic insanity, but it was not to be.

Let's face it, any movie where these two geniuses are paired together will always generate my interest. The problem with "Whatever Works" is that we have seen all this before, and maybe it is getting to be a little old hat. Seeing this film is more like visiting an old friend, especially if your old friend revels in his anally retentive, antisocial bad habits. It might make for a fun afternoon, but it will quickly wear thin.

Larry David recreates his "Curb Your Enthusiasm" persona in the different Manhattan setting preferred by Woody Allen. Boris Yelnikoff (David) has a stable of three long time friends (Adam Brooks, Lyle Kanouse, and Michael McKean) who join him for sunny sidewalk lunches considerably darkened by his nihilistic view of life and the general worthlessness of his existence. His three friends have been hearing this for years, so his rants mostly go in one ear and out the other.

One night Boris takes pity on a young girl who is living on the street after being evicted from her apartment. In an act of kindness that is entirely out of his character, he allows her to move into his apartment "temporarily" until she can get back on her feet, and then he helps her land a job as a dog walker. Melodie St. Ann Celestine (Evan Rachel Wood) returns the favor by bringing a necessary ray of sunshine into his life.

Boris begins to soften both towards Melodie and towards living. He actually begins to enjoy having her around, even though the two have nothing in common. Possible romantic entanglements ensue which quickly become very complicated when her off the wall parents from back home in Mississippi show up looking for their lost daughter. The ending is improbably upbeat, but this is a decent film, especially for those who love Allen and David. (B+, rent it.).