Review of Whatever Works (2009) by Mark J — 30 Jun 2010

Apart from the splendid Vicky Christina Barcelona, Woody Allen has not been on good form for at least a decade. Whatever Works helps to swing the balance back in his favour, but it is based on an old script from 1974 which might explain some of its appeal.

I like this kind of film. Larry David is playing his usual self as an ageing New Yorker who speaks his mind. He leaves his wife after a failed suicide attempt but then his life is suddenly turned around by the arrival of a young homeless girl who takes an unusual fancy to him. So an old man strikes up a relationship with a woman half his age? Who can Woody Allen be referring to? OK, it's all fairly implausible, but it does make for some good comedy and Larry David does get to deliver some great lines.

My only criticism is that this film gets a bit preachy. Anyone who is not educated, doesn't live in the city & has a religious outlook on life is pretty much treated as an imbecile. That's funny up to a point, and it might even have been edgy in 1974, though such secular preaching does seem a little outdated in 2010. I also felt that Larry David's one-dimensional acting ability is great for his comedy shows, but doesn't carry so well in a full length feature. There needs to be a little more than just an hour and a half of ranting. That said, it's still worth a look but rent it or wait for a TV viewing.