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Whatever Works

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Whatever Works (2009)

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Reviews Counted:124

Fresh:58

Rotten:66

Average Rating:5.3/10

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

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for sexual situations including dialogue, brief nude images and thematic material.

Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:Jun 19, 2009 Limited

Box Office: $5,183,644

Synopsis: The New York-based humor of Woody Allen and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIAM’s Larry David seems like a natural match, and the pair unite for the first time in this comedy. WHATEVER WORKS follows a rich man... The New York-based humor of Woody Allen and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIAM’s Larry David seems like a natural match, and the pair unite for the first time in this comedy. WHATEVER WORKS follows a rich man (David), who decides that he should be living a different, less-status based life. Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr., and Michael McKean star in this film that marks Allen’s cinematic return to New York City. [More]

Starring: Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley

Starring: Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley, Conleth Hill, Michael McKean, Henry Cavill, Jessica Hecht, John Gallagher, Carolyn McCormick, Christopher Evan Welch

Director: Woody Allen

Director: Woody Allen
Screenwriter: Woody Allen
Producer: Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

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Release:

Oct 27, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Whatever Works explores the relationship between a crotchety misanthrope, Boris (Larry David) and a naïve, impressionable young runaway from the south, Melody (Evan Rachel Wood). When Melody's uptight parents arrive in New York to rescue her, they are quickly drawn into wildly unexpected romantic entanglements. Everyone discovers that finding love is just a combination of lucky chance and appreciating the value of "whatever works."
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    Reviews for Whatever Works

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    121 - 124 (sorted by date)
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    The Woodman's return to New York after a four-year European sojourn finds him working very familiar territory much less fruitfully than in the past.

    Full Review Source: New York Post | comment 4 Comments
    04/24/09
    Lou Lumenick
    Lou Lumenick
    New York Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Whatever Works transcends Allen formulas thanks to David, who is taller, balder and more foul-mouthed than the usual types Allen himself has played.

    Full Review Source: Screen International | comment Comment
    04/24/09
    David D'Arcy
    David D'Arcy
    Screen International

    While Allen's screenplay features plenty of amusing one-liners...its tired handling of so many overly familiar themes eventually proves enervating.

    Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment 1 Comment
    04/24/09
    Frank Scheck
    Frank Scheck
    Hollywood Reporter

    Though stuffed with witty one-liners and wondrously convoluted tirades, this far-fetched, deliberately artificial game of musical chairs...feels forced, often losing itself in excess verbiage.

    Full Review Source: Variety | comment 2 Comments
    04/24/09
    Ronnie Scheib
    Ronnie Scheib
    Variety
     
     
    121 - 124 (sorted by date)
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    Latest News for Whatever Works

    June 18, 2009: Critics Consensus: Year One Fails To Beget Laughs
    This week at the movies, we've got Biblical bloopers (Year One, starring Jack Black and Michael Cera) and an engagement of convenience (The Proposal, starring Sandra Bullock and... More...

    May 10, 2009: Trailer Bulletin: Whatever Works Opens in new window
    Larry David steps in as Woody Allen's latest on-screen surrogate in "Whatever Works," due out June 19. Watch the trailer now! More...

    May 10, 2009: Trailer & Poster review Opens in new window
    More...

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