Review of Whatever Works (2009) by George Q — 23 May 2010

Grumpy Jew hates the world is possibly the most stereotypical and clichéd and only way to describe this movie. I love a lot of older Woody Allen movies, Scenes from a Mall etc but now he's just taking the piss.

Larry David plays Boris, Allens imagined self appeal, rendering David shallow, uninteresting and unfunny - something I thought was impossible. Evan Rachel Wood continues to display her lack of acting ability, physical appeal and keeps the question "Why did Manson leave Dita for YOU, exactly?" ringing in my ears. Everyone else is just drawl and taudry playing up to a script and story line that's as weak as Boris' right leg.

I think this movie may appeal to the plethora of repressed Americans as an oh so funny way to look at life and particualry those "wild" New York bohemians and crazy artists, philosophers and physicists alike. The movie, right from the start claims its not about happy ideals and that if you're looking for a feel good movie this is not it. I don't think I've ever seen a movie where the cat gets the cream at every junction possible! At the end everyone is as happy as Larry and life goes on. It made me want to puke.

It's not that it's so flawed it's an excellent study of life or character, it's not so bad it's good it's just Allens attempt at connecting to the faux liberal and perhaps justifying his famous affair with his much younger adopted daughter. There is nothing redeeming or interesting or challenging about this film at all. Allen has failed miserably - this movie complains about clichés but Whatever Works is the ultimate cliché of them all in every possible sense of the word.