Whatever Works (B)

Whatever Works, kinda works. Ones familiarity, understanding, and appreciation for acclaimed filmmaker Woody Allen (Manhattan, Annie Hall, and Purple Rose of Cairo) will be the difference between falling in love with this film and falling asleep during it. This is yet another dark romantic comedy released by Woody Allen and like his others, this one takes a rather non conventional form. Having seen some of Allen’s most prized works, and some of his not so prized, I felt that I knew what I was getting into when I watched this film and I was quite excited to see how it would hold up. Another factor that drew me into this film was the fact that it starred the uniquely awkward but utterly hilarious Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiam).

David’s role in this film was not quite what he usually plays, but it wasn’t far off. Allen wrote this script over 30 years ago and may have been waiting for the perfect actor to fill the film’s role, David is that guy. The comedy team of David and Allen really fits together and brings a whole new aspect to quirky comedy that will most likely make you laughing at times and cringing at others. The reason this film doesn’t receive the highest of marks is because the relationships are lacking something, not to mention chemistry, and the humor often comes off as bitter and irritable. These problems make this film a far cry from the likes of Annie Hall, but they don’t hold it back enough from making it one of Allen’s better films of recent years.

This film takes place in Allen’s classic New York City setting with the character Boris Yellnikoff, a successful theorist and intellectual with an annoyance and despise for all other people. In a drastic attempt to escape his family and everyday life, Yellnikoff attempts to commit suicide by jumping out of his apartment window. To Yellnikoff’s surprise, he survives the fall and winds up landing and living in a Chinatown apartment teaching children how to play chess, never forfeiting his smart ass attitude. During this time, a certain Melody St. Ann Celestine, played by Evan Rachel Wood (The Wrestler, Across the Universe), enters the film and instantly grabs the attention of Yellnikoff. Although much younger, naïve, and prettier than Yellnikoff, the two begin to hit it off. Much of the films comedy comes from the relationship that emerges and thus shows us that opposites truly do attract. The films greater theme is also presented through this relationship and how Celestine’s true identity and appreciation for life change as she becomes more exposed to Yellnikoff and the fast paced city life. In the end, Celestine’s devote Christian mother and NRA enthusiast father also begin to change their ways and see the value from breaking their traditions and liberating their minds, the ultimate message Allen sets out to present viewers.

All in all, I mostly enjoyed the script, the characters and the premise of this film, but something with the delivery just wasn’t there. I feel like this production, and its 30 year old script, may have been better fit for Broadway than Hollywood. It is too staged, the transitions are awkward, and even the New York Chinatown set seems fake and over the top. It is also clear that David is not meant to read a script verbatim, and you can tell that there were moments when he was ready to improvise but was forced to hold back. It almost feels as if Allen, who is usually the star of most of his movies, is trying to play himself through David, which just doesn’t quite work. The two are both uniquely talented and odd in their own ways that they need to do their own act, on their own. I always like seeing David get exposure to the big screen, but the more I see him do it, the more I begin to realize that he is meant for television and is best if taken in smaller doses. Odds are you will grow tire of David’s bitterness and endless rants, which takes away from the films overall appeal. But then again, this may all be in the film’s objective as we are warned early on by Boris Yellnikoff that “this is not going to be the feel good movie of the year.”

The overall message and liberal undertone of this film is what I expected and Allen once again gives great homage and appreciation to his beloved New York City. I like this film enough to give it a B because it definitely has that Woody Allen feel and presents a cast of very talented and funny actors. But when you look at this film in its entirety, the pieces look better individually than does the final product, and in film that usually doesn’t work. But whatever, it kinda works.

What Should You Do? Check it out if you’re a Woody Allen fan.