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Whatever Works

Play trailer 2:10 Poster for Whatever Works PG-13 2009 1h 32m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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50% Tomatometer 167 Reviews 61% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
After a failed suicide attempt, brilliant New York misanthrope Boris Yellnikoff (Larry David) forsakes his posh upper-class existence for meager accommodations in Chinatown. He meets his exact opposite in Melody (Evan Rachel Wood), a pageant queen from the Deep South who's long on sweetness but short on smarts. Surprisingly, Boris and Melody marry, but the sparks really fly when Melody's born-again Christian mother (Patricia Clarkson) arrives and finds liberation instead of damnation.
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Whatever Works

Whatever Works

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Critics Consensus

Based upon a script written in the 1970s, Woody Allen's Whatever Works suffers from a lack of fresh ideas.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek Feb 6, 2018
This is fun, but it turns Boris's doomsday neurotic rants into mere cartoon caterwauling. Levant, who never got a happy ending, would no doubt sneer. Go to Full Review Ed Koch The Atlantic Jan 17, 2018
Woody Allen is always exploring new avenues. While Whatever Works isn't close to his best films, it is far better than most of the current crop of romantic comedies, most of which are schlock. Go to Full Review Catherine Shoard Guardian Jun 25, 2010
3/5
It won't win Allen new converts, but for those of faith, it offers consolation. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Sep 4, 2023
3/4
Sure, you’ve probably seen better Woody Allen movies, and it’s clear the ideas are recycled, but like most Allen fare, the formula works. Go to Full Review Jorge Montiel Clarín Sep 1, 2022
4/4
This excellent, entertaining, and intelligent film reaps the rewards of the stupendous acting of its ensemble. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Andrea Hubert NME (New Musical Express) May 19, 2021
3/5
The script is as tight as any Curb episode, as waspish, as bitchy and clever as it should be, and though there is no ground broken here, there is none lost either. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Peter P @RT94099514 May 9, 2025 One of the best films of Woody Alen See more thiago s @Thiagostone Apr 18, 2025 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, o elenco é fraco, mas ninguém ajudou a melhorar o filme, a história é fraca, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e mais relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom. See more Cliff V @RT73487311 Apr 13, 2024 Huge fan of Woody Allen, but he has hits and misses...this might be his biggest miss ever! See more Daniel G @DanielGodoyBsb Jan 20, 2024 Pleasant enough Woody Allen movie, with some smiles and even short laughs along the way. The misanthropic protagonist does get on one's nerves after a while, as does the young lady's apparent naivité or acceptance of his truth as hers. Though a short movie, it seemed a bit too long after a while. And the ending obviously was too neat. See more Reggie P @RT12917892 Sep 27, 2023 It works; dialogues are crispy, every character is well drawn and makes sense. See more Alexsander F @Aelxs Jun 30, 2023 Filme gostoso demais. Atuação brilhante de Larry David quebrando a "quarta parede" , é só mais um ingrediente para o filme ser espetacular. See more Read all reviews
Whatever Works

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Cast & Crew

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Woody Allen

Director

Larry David

Boris Yellnikoff

Evan Rachel Wood

Melody

Patricia Clarkson

Marietta

Ed Begley Jr.

John

Michael McKean

Joe

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Whatever Works

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Whatever Works

Whatever Works (2009) Whatever Works (2009) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis After a failed suicide attempt, brilliant New York misanthrope Boris Yellnikoff (Larry David) forsakes his posh upper-class existence for meager accommodations in Chinatown. He meets his exact opposite in Melody (Evan Rachel Wood), a pageant queen from the Deep South who's long on sweetness but short on smarts. Surprisingly, Boris and Melody marry, but the sparks really fly when Melody's born-again Christian mother (Patricia Clarkson) arrives and finds liberation instead of damnation.
Director
Woody Allen
Producer
Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum
Screenwriter
Woody Allen
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Gravier Productions, Wild Bunch, Perdido Productions
Rating
PG-13 (Nude Images|Dialogue|Sexual Situations|Thematic Material)
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 19, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.3M
Runtime
1h 32m
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