Review of Whatever Works (2009) by Jeff B — 14 Jul 2010

Leading up to his fresh, scintillating, London-set thriller Match Point in 2005, legendary writer/director Woody Allen was turning out laugh-deprived albeit high-concept comedies at a clip of one-a-year. The only hallmark of this prolific output was the fact that he was not re-treading old tires from his Gotham glory days. Rather, he came up with some clever hooks (blind movie director, Hollywood Ending; a tragic-comedy Sliding Doors, Melinda and Melinda). And in the project that seemed most recycled, he at least had the dignity to step aside and let someone else play the neurotic New York schlub (Jason Biggs, Anything Else). In his latest, tired, NYC-set comedy, he continues to give up the spotlight, but the material seems like vintage Allen...unfortunately, in every dated and worn-through sense of the word.

In this PG-13-rated comedy, a grumpy genius (David) strikes up an unlikely romance with a lovely young New Orleans runaway (Wood) after bungling a marriage, teaching career, and suicide attempt.

Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley, Jr., and Michael McKean all appear game for a classic Allen comedy even if the material does not. Approaching this movie, Larry David would seem to be the perfect doppelganger for Allen on-screen. On HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm, David brings a keen likeability to an LA misanthrope. Here, however, there is little rapport between his entirely unlikable character and moviegoers--somewhat due to a needless narration that breaks the fourth wall. There are a few laughs, but the rest of this stale mish-mash plays out like an Alvy Singer car wreck.

Bottom line: Sleeper miss.